European vehicles offer their owners many benefits, including increased performance and style. However, one major drawback of European cars is that they need a specific type of oil. The oil that you use in your car will affect its performance, so understanding the specific needs of your car is essential. To help you out, we thought it would be useful to put together a brief discussion on this subject. If you want to learn more about this, here is an in-depth look at why European cars require special motor oil.
Emission Regulations
One factor that affects the way European vehicle engines are engineered is that the European Union has strict emission standards. The CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CO (carbon monoxide) emissions standards the EU set are much more stringent than those in the United States. Consequently, European cars almost exclusively use diesel engines. Diesel engines release far less CO2 than engines that run on gasoline. However, while diesel engines have lower carbon dioxide emissions, they produce higher levels of nitrous oxide and particulate matter. In order to combat this, diesel European vehicles have particulate filters and catalysts to reduce emissions.
The contents of motor oil can have a negative effect on a vehicle’s emissions control systems—for example, it might overload them with sulphated ash, sulphur, and phosphorus. To avoid these issues, European motor oils are generally formulated with lower levels of sulphur and phosphorus than US-made motor oils.
Less Frequent Oil Changes
Another reason European vehicles tend to use a different type of motor oil than American ones is due to the oil change intervals. European cars are designed to travel longer distances between oil changes, usually around 10,000 miles, or 16,000 kilometres. American drivers, on the other hand, generally get an oil change every 5,000 miles or so. The main cause for this difference is oil prices in Europe and manufacturer recommendations. Due to the longer oil change intervals, European vehicles require a different motor oil that is able to protect against wear, sludge, and corrosion for a longer period of time.
Special Additives In Premium Oil
European car service near me ensures the proper maintenance and care for your European-made vehicle, including the use of premium oil tailored to its specific needs. A large portion of motor oil is made up of additives that give the oil special properties to help protect the engine from harmful things like rust or wear. Due to less frequent oil changes, European motor oils require special additives. The additives give the engines a longer period of time before requiring another change of oil.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of why European cars require premium oil. While it may be more costly, the benefits that premium motor oil more than outweigh its price tag. Despite how tempting it may be to use regular oil, we suggest that you avoid this as much as possible as it will take its toll on your vehicle. Be sure to keep everything you’ve learned here in mind so that you can make the best decisions for your car.
Are you looking for car mechanics in Sydney to help you with your braking system? V.A.R Crows Nest offers you quality brake servicing to ensure the safety of your car. Give us a call to learn more!
