The best semi-synthetic motor oil - Liqui Moly, Shell or Lukoil?

There are many types of standardization, but the most popular are the American API and the European ACEA. In simple terms, these are the requirements of automobile associations for manufacturers of motor oils. If a lubricant meets these standards, it is labeled accordingly. For ordinary buyers, this gives certain information. Firstly, it is clear that the oil has been tested and meets modern quality standards. Secondly, the abbreviations in the classification show what types of engines this lubricant is intended for. In the American classification, this is indicated by the second letter in the abbreviation. The closer it is to the beginning of the Latin alphabet, the older the oil is intended for older engines. In 2021, the classification with the letter N came into force. The standardization of our members is as follows:

So, we have three winners at once, who share the top line. These are oils from Total, Lukoil and Shell. They are designed for the latest generation of engines and have already passed the updated certification. In European standards, they have the number 4, which also meets the most modern requirements of the association. Mannol and Liquid Molly are previous generation lubricants.It cannot be said that they are worse, and most likely they simply have not yet had time to pass the tests, but the fact remains, therefore only the second line in the nomination.

All our members have 10w 40 standardization, which indirectly indicates the temperature values ​​​​of the oil. But it is indirectly, since in reality the numbers are completely different for everyone. In test tests, two indicators are checked: the flash point, that is, at what values ​​\u200b\u200bthe oil ignites, and the freezing point. Since we are considering semi-synthetic motor oil, this parameter is the most important for it, since semi-synthetics lose their properties much faster when the temperature drops.

According to the regulations, the flash point of the oil should not be lower than 225 degrees. All of our members meet these requirements. But the freezing index is much more important, since it clearly shows at what values ​​the lubricant can be operated without loss of quality. And again we have three winners: Mannol, Lukoil and Shell. Total and Liquid Molly lose, though not by much. Be that as it may, it is not worth operating any of these oils at an ambient temperature below 35 degrees. However, this is not surprising, since we have semi-synthetics, and the temperature indicators are its main drawback.

Another very important indicator, directly tied to temperature standards.The lower the temperature, the more viscous the oil becomes, and at some point it loses its properties. In laboratory conditions, viscosity is checked at 40 and at 100 degrees. Based on these data, the so-called viscosity index is calculated. Something in between the two. Our nominees have the following values:

In this case, there is no ideal indicator. For clarity, you should first look at the viscosity of the bet 100⁰. For 10w 40 oils, this figure should be in the range from 12.5 to 16.3. Moreover, if the value of the product is closer to the upper threshold, such a lubricant is more suitable for aggressive, fast driving. For calm drivers, the best oil is the one with the number closest to the bottom mark.

Accordingly, the second option is more interesting for us, which means that Mannol engine oil can be called the winner. It has the lowest viscosity. Lukoil, Shell and Liquid Molly will be sent to the second line. They have almost equal values. But Total stands out, and strongly. This is probably the best oil on the list for fast, aggressive driving, but only third in our nomination.

Any oil evaporates during operation. This is an inevitable process and it is very important what it leaves behind.Since all lubricants have additive sets, that is, a variety of components in the composition, they inevitably leave carbon deposits, and the more it is, the worse. The process of soot accumulation is called sulfate ash. A value of 2% is taken as a standard. Engine oil, whether synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral, should not exceed this value.

Among our participants, the lowest rates were found in three: Mannol - 1.0%, Lukoil - 1.1%, Liquid Moli - 1.12%. But Total and Shell, despite their eminence and popularity, turned out to be the most polluted. Total has 1.43%, while Shell has 1.23%. It cannot be said that these are critical values, but in comparison with competitors they are worse. And such results are most likely associated with a set of additives. Oils that took second place have a richer set of components. On the one hand, this is, of course, good, but the sulfate ash content inevitably rises.

Since we are considering a semi-synthetic motor oil, sulfur will inevitably be present in its composition. It is present in any mineral bases, and its quantity shows the degree of purification and what base was used. There are also standards here, and they differ depending on the additives used. If calcium sulfonates are used in the oil, the value will be around 0.400%. For calcium salcidate, the figure is lower - 0.200-0260%. And semi-synthetics also often have a value of 0.500%. This is not good, but due to the large amount of mineral base in the composition, such an indicator is inevitable.

We have two winners in this nomination: Total and Liquid Moli.Both have a sulfur content in the range of 0.300%, which is an excellent result and tells us about the high degree of purity of the mineral base. Mannol and Lukoil are also within the normal range, but the values ​​are slightly higher. About 0.400%. We give them the second line. Shell is the most polluted. It contains 0.612% sulfur content.

Any oil evaporates during operation. This is an inevitable process, and manufacturers are trying to develop a composition for which this indicator would be the lowest. In the case of semi-synthetics, the task becomes more complicated, since the mineral base is more damaged by burnout. NOACK technology is used for laboratory analyzes of this process. It is quite simple and consists in heating the oil to 250 degrees and keeping it in this state for exactly an hour. After the test, it is calculated what percentage has evaporated, and this is the result. Accordingly, the lower this figure, the better.

Liquid Moli and Total showed the best value in this nomination. Both have a NOACK evaporation rate below 5%. An excellent result, directly related to the set of additives used.The rest of the participants go to the second line. All have about 7%. Also not fatal, but still higher than that of the winners.

You can often find negative reviews about the top products on the net. It would seem that someone may not like the best oil in all respects. Most often, this negative is associated with fakes, of which there are a lot on the market. It can sometimes be very difficult to distinguish an original from a copy, and it is important that the manufacturer protects himself as carefully as possible from counterfeiting. In our case, Lukoil and Total have the strongest protection.

The first uses complex, multi-layer containers. If you open the lid, you will see that the flask is made of three layers of plastic. It is difficult and unprofitable to fake it, so pirates most often do not bother, and buyers get the opportunity to easily identify a fake. Total use a complex label with a small book and three holograms. It is also unprofitable to copy.

But the rest of the participants with the protection of obvious problems. To identify a fake, you need to carefully examine the packaging and labels, and the manufacturers themselves do not make any complex elements and all of them can also be copied.

Prices in the modern market are constantly changing, so you should not take as a basis, the numbers that we give below.They are here rather for a general understanding of how the price tags differ for different brands of 10w 40 engine oil.

The cheapest brands on our list are Lukoil and Shell. Both cost less than 3 thousand for a 4-liter canister. Oils Mannol and Total can be given the second line. Their price is almost the same and only slightly higher than that of the winners. And the most expensive product from Liquid Moli is only the third line.

Based on the results of the comparison, we can conclude that all of our participants deserve attention. Yes, Lukoil is the winner, and by a significant margin, but all the other nominees go head to head and have both advantages and disadvantages.Accordingly, the choice will depend only on the individual characteristics of each nominee - almost every participant has some feature that will definitely be useful to some buyers and not needed by others.