The real benefit of car maintenance begins not with buying the cheapest oil, but with choosing the right one. If you make a mistake at this stage, the lubricant will have to be changed more often, and the result will be unnecessary waste of money.
Roman Sokuev, head of the technical expertise center at Sintec Lubricants, emphasized in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta: it is not the brand name that is more important, but compliance with the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements. The service booklet specifies the viscosity, performance class, and specific OEM approval. Oil that precisely meets these parameters is more economical to use, performs more reliably, and retains its properties longer, so it needs to be topped up less often and not changed prematurely.
Regarding the choice of manufacturer, the expert recommends paying attention to well-known Russian brands. Imported oils today are risky due to the possibility of counterfeit goods, and at best, you overpay for delivery.
Change frequency is a separate issue. The 15,000-20,000-kilometer (9,200-12,500 mile) promised by some automakers is based on ideal conditions. Cold starts, short trips, and substandard fuel accelerate oil aging. For most gasoline engines, a reasonable interval is 7,000-10,000 kilometers (4,500-6,500 miles). Owners of cars with particulate filters and catalytic converters require low-ash ACEA C-class oils, but for simple naturally aspirated engines, overpaying for complex additives is pointless.
Proper packaging can help reduce the cost per liter without sacrificing quality. “4+1” promotions offer a 20% discount per liter, completely covering the need for oil changes for 4-5 liter engines. Some manufacturers also produce larger containers, where the price per liter is 15-25% lower than retail. For those who change the oil themselves, a good option is to buy it together: by joining forces with your garage neighbors, you can take enough oil for several changes with a minimal markup for the packaging.
