How do viscosity modifiers work?

[@LubricationExplained]

Looking for more structured lubrication courses? Join LE Pro for $30AUD per month (that's about 20USD). lubrication.expert/product/le-pro/

[@MrSensible2]

It's worth making the point that whilst VMs were the thing that first made multi-grades possible, when you're formulating engine oils, VM polymers are your absolute worst enemy! This is especially true for diesel engines where VMs are the root cause of most piston deposits. When it comes to choosing viscosity grades, if you can, 'go narrow' rather than going wide. A 10W20 will likely serve you better than a 0W50!

[@LubricationExplained]

Yeah that's absolutely true.

[@javieroargubi]

so using 10w-30 is better than 10w-40, even in summer?

[@MrSensible2]

@@javieroargubi Yes

[@tandemwings4733]

@@LubricationExplained It's also, generally, very safe to say - never use a multigrade oil with a viscosity range greater than 30. Unless of course, you are in group 3 or better.

[@judeenweremadu609]

Good

[@whlawson5812]

Can you do an article of 10W40 synthetic blend blended 25 years ago vs 10W40 blended in year 2020? The one blended 25 years ago would likely have base oil group 1 & 2 + POA vs base oil group 2 & GTL base oil group 3, without any POA, and maybe with only 1/2 amount of VM. I remember reading an article that, in early years, semi synthetic blend did out performance better than POA because additives package, at that point of time, did requires some aromatics that were inside base oil 1. Maybe you could do a video on evolution of the earliest 10w40 semi synthetic blend until now. This is important as average age of cars in USA is about 12 years. So 10W40 is still very applicable. Regards.

[@andresbon1691]

Thanks for your time, congratulations for the channel! If its possible please make a video about the differents Viscosity Improvers quality, they are the same quality for mineral and synthetic oils? For the other hand when synthetic oils doesn't need them? Bcs the synthetic oils has better VIndex so they not always need viscosity additives, this is one of the advantages vs mineral oils, so more VImprovers = lower base oil. Thanks again for your work.

[@watercooled8105]

Thanks to this channel, that bottle of oil in my garage gets more intriguing every day. Do VI improvers vary in quality (cost) regarding their shear stability and their ability to quickly respond to temperature variations? How (or do) they affect TBN?

[@LubricationExplained]

Yes. So again, probably another video but there are different types of VI improvers that have better shear stability and can operate over wider temperature ranges. There are some tests that evaluate shear stability of lubricants (DIN 51382, ASTM D5621, CEC L-45-A-99) but it isn't common to list these results outside of industrial hydraulic oils. Edit: forgot to mention, they should not effect TBN levels.

[@chrisk1224]

Excellent explanation. Thank you for making this video.

[@abdo206]

Thank you for sharing such quality content, I don't know much about lubricants Can you recommend specific videos with specific order ?

[@LubricationExplained]

Hi! Thanks so much - if you're curious to learn the fundamentals of lubrication, check out the playlist section of the channel: kzbin.infoplaylists. We've put together some video playlists organised by topic that should help you; probably best to start with the "Lubricant Fundamentals" playlist.

[@abdo206]

@@LubricationExplained Thanks a lot.

[@behrouzsalehi3246]

Thank you for priceless information , I have a question about High mileage oil and additive/ supplements , are they effective? Or just another snake oil?

[@usmanrabbani4700]

Thanks for explaining VI, i want to ask one thing, how long it takes to loose the viscosity which was initially increased by VI improvers, for example if i add VI to increase the viscosity of mineral base oil having original viscosity 11cst @100 to 19cst @100oC , when will it loose or if it is automotive lubricants so how long will it run on the initial viscosity ? I hope you understand it :)

[@LubricationExplained]

That's a great question, and unfortunately the answer is "it depends". The property you're referring to is known as "shear stability" and the capacity of a lubricant to resist VI improvers breaking down into smaller, less effective molecules. That amount of time will be dependent on the shear exerted on the oil (subject to factors like engine speed, ring tension etc), the operating temperature, the type and amount of VI improvers in the oil.

[@usmanrabbani4700]

@@LubricationExplained Thank you so much for your time to answer my question But if i am using polymer of 20 SSI , i have read some where it is like viscosity will be lost by 20% (by using 20 ssi) which we increased by using this polymer. But that 20% lost will start after certain period or it will start from the day 1?

[@mumtazahmed8099]

Nicely explained 👌 🎉

[@bdykes7316]

Some household gasoline engine lawnmowers specify a mono grade oil of SAE 30.

[@LubricationExplained]

Great point! So do a lot of industrial engines which don’t see the same temperature fluctuations.

[@yahyanassar9205]

Excellent Demonstration.

[@LubricationExplained]

Thanks!

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

Hi, Mr. LE, wich one is the least deposit prone VII? And the worst in this aspect? Isbthat related to s 20w50 mineral causing more varnish, than say a 10w30 mineral?

[@monirelzlitni6814]

Great job

[@LubricationExplained]

Thanks!

[@rithwikj]

found this video from a forum page about Ram EcoDiesel engines - I'd like to lean more to help understand which oil grade is better for the EcoDIesel engines - 5w40 or 15w40, could you recommend me any videos/articles in this regard, thanks!

[@adws5696]

Amazing

[@LubricationExplained]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chippyjohn1]

With your explanation of VI improvers, they break down faster. So would it be better to use a 10W30 at a lower temperature, rather than a 10W60 at a higher temperature?

[@mightGalaxyBlackhole]

Can a 5W and a 10W SAE grade be made using grade I mineral base oil?

[@LubricationExplained]

Realistically, anything can be made with Group I. The problem is finished lubricant quality - depending on whether the final formulation is 5W-30, 5W-40, or 5W-50, you may need to use too many viscosity modifiers to achieve the final viscosities; these will have an adverse impact on shear stability and deposit formation.

[@mohamedghanem565]

If I have 5w_30 oil How can I modify it to 5w_40

[@LubricationExplained]

If it's already formulated, putting in VI improvers is pretty much the only thing that could change it.

[@judeenweremadu609]

Not very easy to grasp but you are doing well

[@parashsharma77]

I want to know about. Polymer453 and 253 will u help sir

[@LubricationExplained]

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with specific additives. If you're able to get some more info on the products I might be able to help.

[@jamesyarbrough4777]

thanks!

[@LubricationExplained]

Welcome!

[@parashsharma77]

Thank u sir ❤️❤️❤️

[@MrCROBosanceros]

I live on the west coast of Canada and unlike the rest of Canada, we usually don't have to go through extreme weather or temperature. The factory-recommended engine oil viscosity for my two Toyota vehicles, a 2006 Corolla and a 2010 Yaris is 5W-30 and recommended oil grade is: ILSAC multigrade. That is the only requirement in the owner's manual considering engine oil. From day one whenever I purchase a new vehicle, I replace the oil and oil filter after the first 1600 kilometres or 1000 Miles and after that maximum of every 5000 kilometres or 3100 Miles or every three months, whichever comes first. I only use what is considered one of the best synthetic oils on the market in my local area. A few years ago I read that some oil manufacturers are claiming that it is perfectly OK to use 0W-30 oil instead of 5W-30 oil so that's why I started to use 0W-30 oil just for three months in winter to help quicker lubrication of the engine when the temperature deeps down to 0 or below zero (just for December, January, and February). The reaction of my friends or other people is always very adverse to my decision and they are surprised why would I do anything other than what the manufacturer is prescribing. I hope that you read this comment and I would like to know your opinion about that.

[@tandemwings4733]

It is normal for manufacturers to list, in the vehicle owner's manual, the oil specs against temperatures. There is absolutely no reason to use oils outside those specs. So if you are using that guide, you need not answer to anyone else.