How Russian motor oils actually turned into Chinese ones
- June 27, 2023
- 0
When in the spring and summer of last year the well-known situation with scarcity, price increases and other “charms” began to turn on the auto parts market, many
When in the spring and summer of last year the well-known situation with scarcity, price increases and other “charms” began to turn on the auto parts market, many auto experts came to the conclusion that everything would be fine with motor oils: there are enough of our manufacturers, we can handle it. As it turned out, we again have to “save” it not on our own, but with the help of the Chinese.
Due to the events in Ukraine, many Western manufacturers of automotive lubricants stopped working with Russian partners. In response, Russian motorists patriotically turned to domestic manufacturers. We know how to make a base for motor oils. But without the addition of special additives, no “plastic” will provide the necessary operating parameters even for an old engine. Coincidentally, about 90% of the global additive market is controlled by just four companies headquartered in the US and UK. These are Lubrizol, Infineum, Chevron Oronite and Afton Chemical.
With the onset of the CBO, access to their unfriendly products for domestic “oil kings” was blocked. In Russia, there is also “additive” production. But with an assortment of additive packages for more or less modern engines, they don’t have much. In the end, everything went according to the usual path for our time: American-British suppliers (sorry for the tautology) were replaced by irreplaceable Chinese.
So now if you are going to fill your car engine with domestic oil, keep in mind: most likely, Russian base oil with a mixture of Chinese chemicals will splash into the private label jerry can. From some Changhai Minglan Chemical Co. or Richfu. There is no crime here. But we must understand that Chinese oils and additives, as a rule, do not have international certification. National only.
That is, strictly speaking, a mixture of Russian oil with Chinese chemicals can only conditionally be considered to comply with the API specification (that is, from the American Petroleum Institute), which is indicated on the canister. It’s not horror-horror-horror. You just need to take into account that Chinese petrochemists do not yet have a proven formulation of additives designed for the latest European or American engines.
But in engines a generation older, their products can be used. In fact, all modern Chinese cars run on this type of oil and do not “cough”. For example, it is known that the basis of detergent additives among the Chinese differs from the “Anglo-Saxon” standards. Asians here use compounds containing magnesium, while Western companies prefer calcium. There is a lot of molybdenum in Chinese additives. This is very good in terms of reducing friction in the engine. China is the largest producer of expensive molybdenum in the world. They can afford to “pour” it with a generous hand. Please note that this type of additive has a relatively short “life”. Due to the conditionally fast reaction of molybdenum, the total life of the oil is shortened. In this regard, we can say that the “sinification” of oils from Russian manufacturers is not a tragedy.
Nothing bad should happen to engines running on such lubricants. But only under one condition: it is recommended to change the oil more often with Chinese additives. Not as you are used to – for example, every 10,000 kilometers, but more often after 7000-8000 kilometers.
globallookpress.com’s photo
Due to the events in Ukraine, many Western manufacturers of automotive lubricants stopped working with Russian partners. In response, Russian motorists patriotically turned to domestic manufacturers. We know how to make a base for motor oils. But without the addition of special additives, no “plastic” will provide the necessary operating parameters even for an old engine. Coincidentally, about 90% of the global additive market is controlled by just four companies headquartered in the US and UK. These are Lubrizol, Infineum, Chevron Oronite and Afton Chemical.
With the onset of the CBO, access to their unfriendly products for domestic “oil kings” was blocked. In Russia, there is also “additive” production. But with an assortment of additive packages for more or less modern engines, they don’t have much. In the end, everything went according to the usual path for our time: American-British suppliers (sorry for the tautology) were replaced by irreplaceable Chinese.
So now if you are going to fill your car engine with domestic oil, keep in mind: most likely, Russian base oil with a mixture of Chinese chemicals will splash into the private label jerry can. From some Changhai Minglan Chemical Co. or Richfu. There is no crime here. But we must understand that Chinese oils and additives, as a rule, do not have international certification. National only.
That is, strictly speaking, a mixture of Russian oil with Chinese chemicals can only conditionally be considered to comply with the API specification (that is, from the American Petroleum Institute), which is indicated on the canister. It’s not horror-horror-horror. You just need to take into account that Chinese petrochemists do not yet have a proven formulation of additives designed for the latest European or American engines.
But in engines a generation older, their products can be used. In fact, all modern Chinese cars run on this type of oil and do not “cough”. For example, it is known that the basis of detergent additives among the Chinese differs from the “Anglo-Saxon” standards. Asians here use compounds containing magnesium, while Western companies prefer calcium. There is a lot of molybdenum in Chinese additives. This is very good in terms of reducing friction in the engine. China is the largest producer of expensive molybdenum in the world. They can afford to “pour” it with a generous hand. Please note that this type of additive has a relatively short “life”. Due to the conditionally fast reaction of molybdenum, the total life of the oil is shortened. In this regard, we can say that the “sinification” of oils from Russian manufacturers is not a tragedy.
Nothing bad should happen to engines running on such lubricants. But only under one condition: it is recommended to change the oil more often with Chinese additives. Not as you are used to – for example, every 10,000 kilometers, but more often after 7000-8000 kilometers.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
