Hydrocracking oil - what is it?
In the market of lubricants for carsvery many different products: transmission fluids, mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic oils with different degrees of viscosity. Not so long ago, and hydrocracked oil - what is it? The fact is that most car owners are accustomed to divide all oils into synthetic, mineral and semi-synthetic oils, so the word in the title "hydrocracker" will often puzzle. Let's define, it is worse or better than the others, why it is called and in general, whether it is worth using it or better to choose the old and good synthetics.
What is hydrocracking?
Hydrocracking is a production technologyproduct, which differs from the technology of making mineral and synthetic oils. There is more to say, then we are talking about a method of making an oil base. The essence of the technology is simple: sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen are removed from the conventional mineral oil, which makes it possible to approximate the molecular structure of the product to the structure of the synthetic lubricant.
As you know, the basis is not finiteproduct. It only determines some properties of the oil, and it becomes full only in combination with a unique package of additives that manufacturers add to the base. However, it is the base base that determines the service life and other key lubrication parameters.
A bit of history
So, we have already realized that this is hydrocracked oil. This is a product manufactured using a special technology that differs from the standard one. But what are the features of technology?
Let's start with what was previously successful in enginesMineral oils were used, which were strongly temperature dependent. That is, at low temperatures the mineral base is thick, which is why the oil pump could not effectively pump the lubricant throughout the system. This led to a rapid wear of the motor. As a result, there was an urgent need to create a new and more efficient oil with a viscosity that would not strongly depend on the ambient temperature.
The development of technology has led to the creation ofsynthetic oils, which were first used in aircraft engines and allowed to launch them even in severe frosts. Later, synthetic bases were also used for the production of motor oils. In simple words, synthetic oil copies mineral oil, but the molecular structure of such oil is uniform, which entails an improvement in operational and technical qualities.
The main difference between synthetic oil andmineral - stable viscosity in a wide temperature range. That is, these products retain their viscosity during the lowering of the temperature, and the engine can easily be started even in winter. With strong heating, this oil also withstands high loads and does not lose its viscosity. One can also note the increased service life of "synthetics", because it is weaker undergoes oxidation, and its additives practically do not precipitate. However, the complexity of manufacturing a product entails a strong increase in cost compared to mineral oils.
Cheaper oils are semi-synthetic products - a mixture of synthetic and mineral oil in a certain proportion.
Features of hydrocracking
Now it's time to understand that this is -hydrocracked oil. It also has a synthetic basis (as close as possible to it). The very technology of hydrocracking appeared in the USA in the middle of the 70s. Thanks to it, the producers managed to bring the molecular structure of the mineral oil closer to the synthetic one. That is, hydrocracking involves treating the mineral oil base to such an extent that its molecular structure becomes the same as that of the synthetic base. That is, hydrocracked oil is as close as possible to synthetic lubrication. That this is exactly what confirms the practice of using car owners.
If we compare the mineral base with the base,created by hydrocracking technology, the latter will be cleaner. She has improved properties. But it is fair to note that this hydrocracked oil will be inferior to products on a synthetic basis for operational and technical characteristics. However, there is one significant plus - simplicity of manufacture and lower cost in the market.
Hydrocracking oil or synthetic - which is better?
It turns out that hydrocracker oil is muchbetter mineral or semi-synthetic bases, but worse than synthetic. However, in many respects it is compared with "synthetics", but at the same time it is cheap.
In addition, now the border between synthetic andhydrocracked greases are gradually erased. On many oils manufacturers stop writing the word "hydrocracker", and increasingly use "manufactured by synthetic technology." Perhaps this is done for advertising purposes, because many car owners still do not know what it is - hydrocracked oil. If you look at the assortment of many manufacturers, then such oil will be found in almost all major brands. But purely "synthetic" wins technically.
Why synthetic oil is often mistaken for hydrocracking and vice versa?
As already mentioned above, manufacturers are not particularlytend to focus the consumer's attention on the way in which the base was made - hydrocracked or standard. Even the "American Petroleum Institute" leveled synthetic oils to hydrocrackers. That is why many large brands simply write on the packaging that the product is made on the basis of synthetic technologies. Some indicate that the oil is synthetic, and sometimes it is written that the base was obtained by HC synthesis. In general, if the package says that the lubricant was made using synthetic technology (or with HC synthesis), then it most likely means that inside it is the hydrocracker oil.
What is the difference between hydrocracking oil and conventional oil?
As you already understood, the main difference is inmethod of manufacture. As for the molecular structure, there is practically no difference between "synthetic" and hydrocracked oil. Both products can be called synthetic, but the real "synthetics" are more expensive and "live" longer. That is, a good synthetic oil can be changed in 15 (and some in 20-30) thousands of kilometers, because it is quite resistant to loads. But the hydrocracker grease manufacturers recommend to change no more than 10 thousand kilometers of run. Taking into account the quality of gasoline at Russian gas stations, it is better to replace each gas every 7-8 thousand kilometers.
Less service life is the main drawbackof the given oil. Its obvious plus we already considered above is the price due to the simplified manufacturing method. This allows you to reduce the cost price and set a lower price for the canister.
Hydrocracked oil or synthetic - what is better to choose?
Tips for choosing an oil to give difficult,because for each model and brand of the car comes its own unique product. If one car "falls in love" with hydrocracked grease, this does not mean that the second similar transport will also work efficiently on it. Therefore, specify in the instructions to the car, which lubricants are best used.
But if we generalize, then a full syntheticoil is better due to a longer service life. Some experts also say that good lubricants on a synthetic basis create stronger protective films on engine friction pairs, and hydrocracked oils are inferior to them in this parameter. With this, of course, you can argue. However, you will not find the opposite opinion, in which it would be argued that hydrocracked grease is better than real "synthetics". Therefore, the conclusion is this: a synthetic oil, although more expensive, but it is still better. Hydrocracking lubricants are somewhere in the middle between "synthetics" and "semisynthetic". Or rather, not in the middle, but closer to "synthetics."
Reviews
At various automobile forumsusers do not have an unambiguous opinion about the hydrocracking oil. Reviews about it are found both positive and negative. In particular, consumers are confused by the fact that hydrocracked oil is a mineral recycled oil with an improved molecular structure. Therefore, many car owners have a mistrust of the products obtained by the hydrocracking method. They continue to use high-grade synthetics and do not dare to take risks.
Another audience is satisfied with the quality of workhydrocracked oils. Many owners are not afraid to use it at all and calmly pour through 7-8 thousand kilometers of run. Such drivers note that such oils are much better than semi-synthetic oils, because the latter are not regulated by the "mineral / synthetic" ratio. That is, in such oil can be 90% of mineral oil and 10% - synthetic. Therefore, in any case it is better to use hydrocracking grease than to pour into the motor "semisynthetic".
Conclusion
Often you can find opinions about the popular hydro-cracking oil "Toyota" 5W30. Reviews about it are positive, so do not be particularly afraid to use these products.
Note that this is not a recommendation, but just an opinionusers at different forums. In general, it is possible to recommend car owners to use oils created on the basis of hydrocracking technologies. This will save money. However, you need to change the lubricant more often.
