Due to the continuously increasing requirements of engines and their componentsmotor oils have also been continuously developed over time and have resulted indifferent variations and formulations. We explain the differences and what to look forwhen choosing the right oil.
Which motor oil types exist?
A fundamental distinction is made between mineral and synthetic motor oils. Mineral oils are moresuitable for older vehicles with lower requirements, while synthetic oils are constantly being furtherdeveloped for the complex requirements of modern engines.
Mineral oils
Mineral oil is extracted from crude petroleum. The so-called refining process removes impurities andunwanted carbons from the crude oil. Various additive packages can then be added to enhance theproperties of the oil.
In contrast to synthetic oils, mineral oils are limited in their performance due to increasingrequirements such as extended oil change intervals, increasing power density and the requirementfor low-viscosity characteristics.
Synthetic oils
In the case of synthetic oils, a distinction is made between two different manufacturing processes. inthe first variant, the oil is produced by polymerization, PA0 oils are superior to mineral oils in termsof lubrication performance, operating temperature range and flow properties. However, they are veryexpensive to manufacture and can no longer meet the high requirements of modern engines, whichis why PA0 oils are becoming less important.
With the second approach, the oil is produced by hydrocracking, which is why these oils are alsocalled Hc oils, Today, HC oils offer the best possible performance for all modern engines. Due tocontinuous further development, almost all oil development today is based on this synthesistechnology. These oils meet the highest quality standards according.
The desianation specifications for synthetic oil and mineral oil may vary internationally.
