Рет қаралды 9,795
Welcome to another episode of R2D! Today, we’re examining the condition of engine oil in a Renault Arkana (2023, 1.3 TCe, 140 HP) with a total mileage of 61,000 km. This is the fifth phase of testing for this vehicle, following up on episodes #168 and #207. The focus of this episode is a comparative analysis of two oil types-Castrol GTX 0W20 and 5W30-to determine which performs better under the conditions of this specific engine.
Key Highlights of the Analysis:
Viscosity Testing: Both oils performed exceptionally well in maintaining stable viscosity. The 0W20 oil displayed a slight reduction in viscosity after 15,300 km, while the 5W30 oil exhibited a minor increase over a similar interval. These minor variations suggest that both oil types can maintain their properties under demanding conditions, such as high-speed, long-distance drives, including trips through the Alps.
Chromatographic Testing: The 0W20 oil demonstrated significantly lighter oil stains compared to the darker stains of the 5W30 oil. This raises an interesting discussion: does a darker stain indicate better cleaning properties or suggest a higher level of contamination in the oil? While some argue that darker stains reflect cleaning efficiency, the condition of this specific engine-relatively new and well-maintained-suggests otherwise. For this vehicle, a lighter stain aligns with better overall oil quality.
Spectral Analysis: This test revealed comparable results for both oils across key parameters like oxidation and contamination levels. However, 5W30 showed higher degradation of additives and antioxidants, while 0W20 exhibited slightly higher nitrooxidation levels. These differences highlight unique characteristics of each oil type but do not conclusively favor one over the other.
Aggregated Performance Indicator:
To summarize the findings, a synthetic performance index was calculated for both oils. This index aggregates data from all tests-normalized to values between 0 and 1 (or 0% to 100%)-where 0 represents poor performance and 1 represents ideal performance. For both oils, results were promising:
0W20 scored 81%, indicating it could safely continue operation in the engine.
5W30 scored 78%, slightly lower but still within an acceptable range for extended use.
The calculation methodology ensures comprehensive evaluation while remaining adaptable for future enhancements, including tribological tests. While the 3% difference favors Castrol GTX 0W20, the real-world application may depend on specific driving conditions and individual engine characteristics.
Conclusion:
Both oils are excellent choices for this Renault Arkana, offering dependable protection and performance. The decision between 0W20 and 5W30 may ultimately come down to personal preference and specific use cases. Based on this experiment, Castrol GTX 0W20 edges out as the slightly better option for this vehicle, particularly when considering its lighter chromatographic stain and slightly higher aggregated score.
Thank you for joining us for this experiment. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future tests! If you'd like to participate in these experiments, contact us via email (details in the video description). Special thanks to all patrons supporting the channel. See you in the next episode! 😊