Don't Let Myths About Diesel Engine Oil Influence Your Choices

Some people may find it difficult to distinguish between facts and common falsehoods when it comes to heavy duty motor oils. Many of these myths have been around for a long time and have virtually become accepted as fact. Let's take a look at some of the most popular misconceptions about heavy-duty diesel engine oil.

Myth: It's never a good idea to switch oils

The old assumption that if you start an engine with one brand/type of oil, you should stick with it is a long-standing misconception. What gave rise to this view over time is that there have been sporadic reports of increased oil use while switching brands of oil.

Switching synthetic diesel engine oil brands is not one of the many reasons for increasing oil use. Changes in oil consumption and oil pressure are frequently attributed to switching brands rather than determining the core problem. A range of factors, including oil filter quality, contaminant loading, engine component condition, engine oil contamination levels, and even inaccurate measurement of oil pressure or add oil levels, have a greater impact on oil consumption and oil pressure.

Myth: Beware of synthetic diesel engine oil

Synthetic diesel engine oil does not cause leaks in modern engines, contrary to popular belief. This one may have been inspired by real-life events at one point. There were a few concerns with seal incompatibility when synthetic oils were originally introduced in the 1970s, resulting in leaks. These problems were solved decades ago when the seal materials were changed to be more suitable. The oil will not leak out if your engine's seals and gaskets are in good shape. Another issue is if the seals or gaskets have been compromised. Synthetic oils may be more likely to detect leaks that already exist.

Myth: Aftermarket Engine Oil Additives Improve Performance

One common misconception is that adding external additives to the oil will improve its performance. Most respectable heavy duty motor oils already have optimum chemicals, and adding more could disrupt the chemistry of the oil and even reduce the efficiency of the present additives.

Myth: You can tell the condition of your oil is just by looking at it

Another popular misconception is that you can know the condition of the oil in your car by looking at the dipstick. When you pour oil into an engine, it starts off bright amber and quickly darkens. This does not imply that the oil is contaminated. It simply implies that the oil is dispersing particles and retaining them in suspension as it should. Oils change color as they age for a variety of causes, some of which occur very shortly after the oil is run in the engine. As they say, it's easy to be fooled by appearances. Chemical changes caused by heat and the accumulation of combustion by-products, such as soot, can cause an oil to become darker than it was when it was poured into the engine.

Myth: Oils do not degrade over time; they only become dirty

Oils actually wear out and need to be replenished, contrary to popular opinion. The useful life of an engine oil is limited by a number of things. Clearly, one of them is the collection of pollutants such as soot and/or fuel. But, more often than not, it is the depletion of the additive system that necessitates an oil change. In fact, some of the additives in engine oils are explicitly designed to prevent this breakdown, allowing for the considerably longer oil drain intervals that are now acceptable.

All oils wear out over time, although some do so more quickly than others. The oil's lifetime may be impacted by higher temperatures. Excessive fuel dilution, debris from the air induction system, coolant leaks from various sources, excessive soot, and the formation of acidic or corrosive substances that can enter the oil can all contaminate the oil.

Myth: For warranty purposes, a specific oil brand is required

Some customers believe that in order to keep their warranty, they must use a specific kind of synthetic diesel engine oil. It's critical for equipment users to read their owner's manuals and service bulletins to comprehend the engine manufacturer's recommendations. Engine oil recommendations are based on API certification categories for engine oil, and a viscosity recommendation for certain engines may include extra engine manufacturer approval requirements or specifications. Do not rely on hearsay or personal opinion on how a certain kind of oil protects an engine's warranty.

Choose fully synthetic & heavy-duty diesel engine oil from DOXA

DOXA Fully Synthetic & Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Oil is created and engineered to outperform traditional diesel engine oils. The Fully Synthetic 5W40, 15W-40, and 10W-30 diesel engine oil is formulated to fulfil the most stringent performance criteria of today's high-output, low-emission European and American diesel engines. It's made with high-quality base oil and cutting-edge additive technologies to deliver the best diesel engine performance. All heavy-duty engine oils from DOXA meet or exceed the requirements of CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, and previous classifications.