Comprehensive analysis of factors affecting lubricant consumption

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Engine lubricant has four main functions: cooling, lubrication, cleaning, and sealing. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper operation of the engine. As the engine’s operating time increases, the engine oil becomes contaminated due to factors such as oxidation caused by high temperatures, wear particles from mechanical components, and corrosion from fuel vapors. Additionally, engine oil is also consumed to a certain extent during normal use. Therefore, we need to regularly check the oil level and the degree of contamination, which is also why we need to change the oil on a regular basis. If the oil level is below the specified value and affects the engine’s operation, it can cause fatal damage to the engine. Next, we will discuss in detail the causes of oil consumption and how to avoid its terrible consequences. Under normal circumstances, engine oil is also consumed; fundamentally speaking, there is no engine that does not consume any engine oil at all. The reasons are as follows: 1. Engine oil is used to lubricate the piston, piston rings, and cylinder; when the piston moves downward, it leaves a layer of oil film on the cylinder wall. When the vehicle slows down, the high negative pressure generated draws some of this engine oil into the combustion chamber; this oil, along with the oil film that remains on the cylinder walls, is burned by the hot combustion gases during the burning process. 2. Engine oil is also used to lubricate the intake valve stem and is drawn into the combustion chamber. High-temperature exhaust gases can also burn the oil used to lubricate the exhaust valves. The following are the factors that affect oil consumption: 1. Oil viscosity: The lower the viscosity of the oil, the worse its sealing ability, resulting in more oil being drawn into the combustion chamber. 2. Driving conditions of the vehicle: Driving at high speeds, as well as frequent acceleration and deceleration, will increase oil consumption. 3. During high-speed driving, the diluted components will evaporate; as a result, excessive oil consumption can be observed after driving at high speeds. 4. Since the new engine has not been broken in, it will consume more engine oil.