Engine oil needs to be formulated for specific operating conditions. Engine oil generally uses base oils and additives, while also mixing transmission oil or hydraulic oil to provide the required lubrication performance for vastly different environments. Using oil suitable for the engine will bring you great benefits, such as smoother operation, longer engine life, and higher return on investment.

　　The function of engine oil is to prevent engine wear by reducing friction between moving parts. Other functions include cooling lubricated surfaces, preventing corrosion and rust, avoiding deposit formation, removing contaminants, and neutralizing acidic degradation. It also needs to provide lubrication at different temperatures.

　　Engine oil is composed of a mixture of base oil and additives. Whether it is engine oil, transmission oil, or hydraulic oil, each type of oil is blended according to legislative standards and the lubrication performance required by the application.

　　Base oils can be mineral oil, semi-synthetic, or synthetic oil. Non-road diesel engines typically use mineral oil. Semi-synthetic and synthetic oils are used in gasoline engines, such as automotive engines, which require longer maintenance intervals and higher operating conditions, thus needing more refined oils. However, these more refined base oils come with significantly higher costs.

　　The difference between manufacturing oils that meet API standards and oils that provide significant performance advantages lies in the additives incorporated. These additives enhance chemical and physical properties, bringing performance benefits to the lubricants.

　　The additives used in engine oil are a complex mixture of 10 to 15 different types. They can account for up to 25% of the formulation, depending on the oil quality and application.

01  Carefully Selected

　　Each additive must be carefully selected to be compatible with the base oil and other additives, avoiding unwanted negative effects. For example, adding detergents to keep the engine interior clean may promote foaming, which prevents the formation of a good oil film and reduces the circulating oil volume. Therefore, balancing detergents and anti-foaming agents is crucial.

★ Additive Functions ★

　　Additives have specific functions, including:

　　• Detergents keep all engine interiors clean.

　　• Dispersants keep unwanted impurities suspended so they can be removed during oil changes or effectively filtered out by the oil filter.

　　• Anti-wear additives improve the lubrication performance of the base oil by forming a protective film on moving parts.

　　• Corrosion inhibitors and rust preventatives protect the engine from sulfur damage in the oil.

　　• Antioxidants prevent oil oxidation, which causes increased viscosity, sludge and deposit formation, base oil breakdown, and corrosion.

02  Operating Temperature

　　Viscosity improvers are important additives. Viscosity defines how oil flows and changes with temperature: as temperature increases, oil usually thins and flows better. The challenge with engine oil is maintaining the correct flow characteristics to protect the engine during cold starts and subsequent operation. In cold weather, viscosity improvers help ensure engine oil does not become too thick, as overly thick oil may not circulate properly at engine start, failing to prevent internal engine wear. They also help ensure the oil film does not become too thin at very high operating temperatures, which could also cause wear.

　　SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) established the rating standards for oil viscosity. The higher the viscosity number, the thicker the oil and the greater the resistance to flow.

　　Many years ago, oil viscosity was a single grade. Modern engines typically use multi-grade oils, defined by two numbers connected by the letter W. The first number indicates cold performance, and the second indicates viscosity at operating temperature. Single-grade oils may still be used in specific applications, such as gas engines or situations with little difference between cold and hot operating temperatures.

Perkins Diesel Engine Oil

　　Perkins Diesel Engine Oil 15W-40 is a custom formula containing 12 additives and 3 base oils, providing comprehensive performance and protection. It is specially formulated to fully meet the demands of Perkins non-road diesel engines that frequently operate at high speeds.