12 best motor oils for winter

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Did you know that about 10% of all winter car engine failures are due to oil and lubrication problems? Indeed, this technical fluid is the most important link in the stable operation of a vehicle, and the approach to its selection in cold weather should take into account the parameters of viscosity and stability of the oil film when heated.

Ideally, the oil should be such that the starter can crank the engine shaft even in severe frost, when the base reaches its maximum density. On the other hand, when heated to temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, it must provide stable lubrication of friction pairs to prevent adhesion, seizure and destruction of units with the need for a subsequent restoration or overhaul procedure.

Of course, choosing a good product in the realities of the current market is very difficult, since more than fifty different companies are engaged in the production of oil. However, having sufficient experience of employees and opportunities, the magazine conducted its own analysis of the segment, where it identified 12 of the best auto oils for the winter period. The main selection criteria for the rating representatives were consumer assessments and opinions of staff experts.

12 best motor oils for winter

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
12 best motor oils for winter	1	MOBIL 1 0W-40 4 l	2 300 rub.
	2	IDEMITSU Zepro Touring Pro 0W-30 (4L)	RUB 2,145
	3	Motul 8100 Eco-nergy 0W30 (5 l)	RUB 3,322
	4	SHELL Helix Ultra 0W-40 (4 l)	RUB 2 074
	5	Castrol Edge 0W-30 A5 / B5 (4L)	RUB 2,665
	6	MOBIL Super 3000 X1 5W-40 (4 l)	RUB 1,450
	7	LIQUI MOLY Molygen New Generation 5W-40 (4 L)	RUB 2,830
	8	TOYOTA SAE 5W-40 (5 L)	RUB 2,562
	9	'LUKOIL' Genesis Armortech 5W-40 (4 l)	RUB 1,270
	10	Nissan 10W-40 SS A3 / B4 (5 L)	1 640 RUB
	11	Gazpromneft Premium N 5W-40 (4 l)	RUB 970
	12	'LUKOIL' Lux Semi-synthetic SL / CF 10W-40 (4 l)	739 RUB

MOBIL 1 0W-40 4 l

Oil rating for winter: 4.9

Synthetic winter motor oil of Finnish origin with an extensive list of specifications and approvals from leading car manufacturers around the world. It is quite expensive, but it works out every ruble invested, protecting the motor from the destructive effects of negative factors (temperature, chemical, physical). It overtakes IDEMITSU Zepro Touring Pro in the ranking solely due to its higher popularity, but in fact the difference between them is due only to the marking and emphasis on enhancing the action of the additive components.

By the way, the package of additional substances in MOBIL 1 is tailored for situational use and uniform consumption throughout the entire service life. Unlike a number of the above competitors, it is actively used in cars with diesel engines, compensating for a number of related disadvantages of this system by adapting to harsh working conditions. Ultimately, there is nothing more to talk about here: the huge (largest) number of approvals and the emphasis on working on engines with any modifications allowed MOBIL 1 0W-40 to become a leader in impartial user voting.

Advantages

• a large number of tolerances and compliance with quality standards for cars of various classes (more than 30);
• shows high working conditions both when filling in gasoline and diesel engines;
• the highest degree of purification from harmful impurity elements;
• the most popular synthetic class product among users.

disadvantages

• not detected.

IDEMITSU Zepro Touring Pro 0W-30 (4L)

Oil rating for winter: 4.8

A step away from the leader, the synthetic oil IDEMITSU Zepro Touring Pro stopped – the most reliable from the point of view of counterfeiting on the domestic market. It is supplied in cans with a seal and internal stamping of the originality mark, so counterfeiting such a product is a difficult and unprofitable task. The composition itself is based on the use of base oil and polyalphaolefins, and contains the necessary additive package without focusing on any separate operational component.

Ideal for the base number (7.84 pOH), IDEMITSU Zepro Touring Pro has the lowest pour point (-47.5 degrees Celsius) and a good viscosity reserve when the boiling point of water (10.32 mm2 / s) is reached. In addition, the degree of purification from impurities is striking. So, the content of sulphated ash is 1.0%, phosphorus – less than 0.08%, sulfur – less than 0.5%. All this splendor goes mainly to Japanese cars, however, Russian enthusiasts were not too lazy to test the oil in the realities of working on European / domestic cars. The result is excellent – there is a positive economic effect and a significant increase in engine performance.

Advantages

• excellent performance;
• low content of harmful impurities;
• freezing occurs at -47.5 degrees Celsius;
• favorable price-quality ratio;
• positive influence on the characteristics of the flow rate and performance of the engine.

disadvantages

• not found.

Motul 8100 Eco-nergy 0W30 (5 l)

Oil rating for winter: 4.8

Motul 8100 Eco-nergy oil, unique in its conditions, opens the honorable three in our rating. Its advantages are wholly and completely based on an individual approach to creating a working formula with pronounced cleansing properties, coupled with a low evaporation consumption without the formation of carbon deposits.

Perhaps the main characteristic of all-season French synthetics can be considered resistance to freezing: despite the fact that the code is indicated on the etiquette 0W30, the actual pour point is as much as -45 degrees Celsius. True, such a plus gives a weakening of another characteristic – the kinematic viscosity of the oil when heated to 100 degrees Celsius is only 9.95 mm2 / s, which significantly weakens the resistance of the oil film. Otherwise, no strong deviations from the norm are observed, except that the base number is 10.1 pOH, but the figure, in general, corresponds to the norms of the applicable standard. In real conditions, according to consumers, all the shortcomings are somehow compensated for, and the oil honestly fulfills the declared resource. Wonders!

Advantages

• the temperature of complete freezing of oil is -45 degrees Celsius;
• the composition is replete with cleaning components and neutralizers;
• reasonable price and good value for money.

disadvantages

• low viscosity with increasing temperature, which negatively affects the stability of the film.

SHELL Helix Ultra 0W-40 (4 l)

Winter oil rating: 4.7

The acclaimed SHELL Helix Ultra range is the only Ferrari-approved oil, delivering excellent performance in various operating conditions. The all-season composition is aimed at maintaining viscosity even in the most severe frosts, and in terms of the critical freezing / detonation temperature (-42 and +241 degrees Celsius, respectively), it turns out to be better than competitors.

Based on PurePlus technology, SHELL Helix Ultra 0W-40 keeps the engine perfectly clean from the inside, preventing carbon deposits, corrosion and resisting friction. Thus, an increase in the working life of the power unit is achieved, which in modern realities of road traffic is not just empty words. In addition, some users note progress in terms of fuel economy, as well as an increased mileage interval between replacements: especially risky ones manage to drive up to 12 thousand kilometers. Unfortunately, the fact of the high price had a negative effect on the popularity among consumers, and therefore the composition did not quite reach the coveted top three.

Advantages

• emphasis on the use of synthetic additives with a protection and cleansing function;
• ideal for worn out engines;
• the best operating temperature indicators;
• the highest quality workmanship and complete trust from a number of major European car manufacturers.

disadvantages

• high purchase price.

Castrol Edge 0W-30 A5 / B5 (4L)

Winter oil rating: 4.7

The fifth line of the rating goes to the German synthetic oil from Castrol, the composition of which is strengthened with Titanium FST technology. This type of additive has a positive effect on the oil film, giving it resistance to high-temperature rupture, and also causing some increase in strength characteristics. For example, when counteracting friction in lubricated units.

Among the specifications given by Castrol Edge for compliance with performance indicators, there are ACEA A5 | B1 | B5 | A1, API CF | SL, and quite rare (among the representatives of the rating) ILSAC GF-2. At the same time, through independent research, it was proved that the oil suppresses the formation of solid impurity deposits, has optimal properties at low temperatures, and also increases engine efficiency by an average of 3.1%. All this and much more distinguishes it from its competitors in a striking way, and even the fact of the high price does not spoil the overall impression.

Advantages

• synthetic base reinforced with titanium-based additives;
• excellent performance – an increase in engine efficiency by 3.1%;
• reliable protection of the engine from “dry” operation at high temperatures, as well as from the formation of solid inclusions.

disadvantages

• high price (offset by the number of positive aspects).

MOBIL Super 3000 X1 5W-40 (4 l)

Winter oil rating: 4.7

One of the two representatives of the MOBIL company on a synthetic basis, belonging to the category (and this is evident in the cost) of high-quality premium oils. It is positioned as a technical fluid for heavily loaded, forced engines, and in this contrast it convincingly works during measured driving around the city or in a more rigid mode of stops and starts (typical for rush hour traffic).

One of the key features of the MOBIL Super 3000 X1 is the highest degree of liquid purification from harmful impurity elements. Thus, the phosphorus content in a liter of volume is 0.0095 grams, and the sulfate ash content does not exceed 1.1% by weight. In addition, consumers pay special attention to the 'washing' function of the oil – all metal suspension and other trash components (solid deposits on parts) are regularly removed by the oil into the oil sump and collected during the filtration stage. As for the approvals and conformities, this composition has about 14 tolerances of use, although all are predominantly from European automakers (and from one American General Motors).

Advantages

• high quality, allowing the oil to be classified as premium;
• extra-quality cleaning from harmful impurity elements and inclusions;
• 14 approvals of use – 10 approvals and 4 conformity to certificates.

disadvantages

• high price.

LIQUI MOLY Molygen New Generation 5W-40 (4 L)

Oil rating for winter: 4.6

The top development of the production company Liqui Moly, based on the use of HC-synthetics technology. Which. in turn, supplemented with the Molygen additive package, which actively resists friction processes and is recreated using the patented Molecular Friction Control technology.

It is noteworthy that this oil was tested on European and, including Russian, cars, where it showed the highest suitability for operation. It is reliably known that the resource of one filling will be enough for 11 thousand kilometers, and in a forced mode. As shown by internal research, the effect of the introduction of oil is expressed by a sharp decrease in fuel consumption by 3.5%, as well as a delicate effect on the components of fairly old engines. Ultimately, consumers get another high-quality product of the synthetics segment, very expensive, but certainly fulfilling the entire amount to the end.

Advantages

• based on HC synthetic technology;
• enhanced additive package with antifriction activators;
• tangible economic effect from implementation (saving up to 3.5% of fuel);
• good balance between quality and price.

disadvantages

• not found.

TOYOTA SAE 5W-40 (5 L)

Oil rating for winter: 4.6

Another product of a nominally Japanese brand, developed and tested in the European Union. It is a very strong market player in the synthetics segment, the real working resource of which can reach 12 thousand kilometers. The reason for this overestimation of the main performance characteristics: strict quality control and the use of vaunted German developments in the field of creating lubricating fluids.

Naturally, the best performance of TOYOTA SAE 5W-40 is achieved only when used in cars of the same manufacturer. Here: both the constancy of technical characteristics under forced operating modes, and the stability of lubricating properties along with maintaining the viscosity within the required limits, and satisfactory fluidity when operating a car at temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. All consumers who decide to test this oil on their vehicles talk about stabilizing engine operation and reducing fuel consumption. Add to this an increase in engine efficiency (by 1.3-2.7%), albeit at a very high cost.

Advantages

• excellent performance even by the standards of the most advanced synthetic oils;
• increased working resource (up to 12 thousand kilometers);
• use of technologies from other manufacturing companies (active exchange of experience);
• high quality.

disadvantages

• high purchase cost.

'LUKOIL' Genesis Armortech 5W-40 (4 l)

Winter oil rating: 4.5

Another representative of the LUKOIL company with a synthetic base, suitable for use throughout the entire calendar year (all seasons). In contrast to the semi-synthetic 'Lux', the DuraMax additive package with individual activators is used here to increase the stability of operation and uniform consumption of material during operation.

Despite the problems with counterfeiting LUKOIL products, Genesis Armortech 5W-40 is doing well: it is actively bought and recommended to others. According to consumers, it is ideal for urban driving in a very hard start / stop mode, in which the engine experiences significant thermal stress. The kinematic viscosity when heated to the boiling point is 13.4 mm2 / s, which guarantees the preservation of the oil film without the occurrence of ruptures. On the aggregate of all the above characteristics and unmarked introductory Genesis Armortech 5W-40 is one of the best representatives of the synthetic oils segment, and, according to the position, has a huge number of certificates of conformity.

Advantages

• based on the use of a synthetic base and a DuraMax additive package;
• optimal performance throughout the entire operating temperature range;
• surprisingly few counterfeits in the retail market (typical of LUKOIL products;
• The optimum ratio of price and quality.

disadvantages

• not found.

Nissan 10W-40 SS A3 / B4 (5 L)

Winter oil rating: 4.5

Nominally Belgian specialty oil, formulated for use in engines fitted to vehicles in the range Nissan. It is a pronounced semisynthetics with a large amount of active additives and a resource reserve of 7 thousand kilometers. Complies with ACEA (A3 | B4) and API (CF | SL) specifications and is in very stable demand among domestic Japanese car owners.

Among the strengths Nissan of 10W-40 SS, consumers highlight stability in terms of resource development, satisfactory performance and virtually no consumption in the long term. The disadvantages, however, are limited to the presence of a “loud” name of the manufacturer: the distributor decided to play on this and raise the price tag much higher than no less powerful analogues. However, this oil is really good, and, most importantly, it is practically not falsified, which plays into the hands of both the manufacturer and the consumer segment.

Advantages

• satisfactory performance;
• the power reserve on one fill is 7 thousand kilometers;
• works great with motors installed on a line of cars Nissan.

disadvantages

• quite high price.

Gazpromneft Premium N 5W-40 (4 l)

Oil rating for winter: 4.4

Not the most popular synthetic-based oil, offering the user a full range of useful properties at the lowest cost among the competitive segment. Gazpromneft Premium N 5W-40 was created with a strict reference to standards, which can be traced in the entire spectrum of physicochemical characteristics:

1. the pour point of the composition is -41 degrees Celsius;
2. the kinematic viscosity when the boiling point is reached is 13.9 mm2 / s;
3. base number – 9.2 KOH units per gram.

Yes, the last point is slightly overestimated, but it falls within the framework defined by GOST, and does not cause any harm to the interacting materials.

From other points in the description of this oil, one can single out a huge number of certificates of conformity and received approvals from automakers, including not only the domestic AvtoVAZ, but also General Motors, Renault, BMW, Volkswagen, and even Mercedes – Benz. But the best part about the entire Gazpromneft product line is the extremely low number of counterfeits on the market. It is an excellent oil at an affordable price, worthy of a high place in the ranking of the best.

Advantages

• one-piece synthetic base, the resource of which is enough for 10 thousand kilometers;
• a large number of specifications and approvals;
• optimal physical and chemical characteristics;
• favorable price-quality ratio.

disadvantages

• not found.

'LUKOIL' Lux Semi-synthetic SL / CF 10W-40 (4 l)

Oil rating for winter: 4.3

A universal all-season vehicle from the LUKOIL company, using a semi-synthetic formula for lubricating modern high-powered engines. Complies with a number of specifications (ACEA A3 | B4, OEM MB 229.1, API CF | SL) and is based on a freshly developed additive package.

'Smart protection' under the uncomplicated name 'New Formula' protects the engine from all sorts of negative factors, such as wear through friction (additives stabilize the oil film, preventing its high-temperature rupture), corrosion of metal components, the formation of insoluble deposits on parts, and does not interfere with the operation of the catalytic converter. All this, in one way or another, affects the characteristics of the car: the fuel economy slightly increases, the noise level decreases (by a couple of decibels) and the engine efficiency increases (by 2-3%). Unfortunately, only the original oil exhibits such properties – numerous fakes do not have even half of the same useful set.

Advantages

• low cost;
• improved formula with the addition of 'smart' additives with activators;
• positive effect on the characteristics of vehicles (fuel consumption, efficiency, engine noise).

disadvantages

• a large number of fakes on the market.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.