Why are OCIs so much longer in Europe ?

[Ruperts_Trooper]

In Europe, it's normal on many modern engines for the manufacturer to specify 20,000 miles or 12 months as the OCI - I've seen some as high as 30,000 miles or 24 months. It's common for petrolheads to change at half the recommended interval, just as it is in North America, but in Europe we start from a much longer interval.

My own Hyundai 2.2 turbo-diesel in Europe has 20,000 miles / 24 months OCI but the otherwise identical 2.0 turbo-petrol engined car in North America has OCIs of 3,000-5,000 miles depending on which dealer is asked. I contend that, all things being equal, the oil in a turbo-diesel has a harder life than in a turbo-petrol.

Demands for minimal scheduled servicing from fleet buyers in Europe only applies for the first 3 years as most fleets are changed then.

Although oil specifications differ between Europe and North America, there's no suggestion of a difference in "quality" with many oil manufacturers selling all round the world.

So is this just a huge myth put about and perpetuated by North American workshops, intent on maximising turnover ?

 

[metalboy]

Originally Posted By: Ruperts_Trooper


So is this just a huge myth put about and perpetuated by North American workshops, intent on maximising turnover ?


That's a huge factor. In the US, the "3,000 mile rule" has been hammered into the minds of the public quite thoroughly, and telling people it's a waste is like trying to ice-skate uphill.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Ruperts_Trooper
Although oil specifications differ between Europe and North America, there's no suggestion of a difference in "quality" with many oil manufacturers selling all round the world.

Doesn't Hyundai recommend mineral oil in the US? That would at least partially explain the shorter intervals.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: metalboy
Originally Posted By: Ruperts_Trooper


So is this just a huge myth put about and perpetuated by North American workshops, intent on maximising turnover ?


That's a huge factor. In the US, the "3,000 mile rule" has been hammered into the minds of the public quite thoroughly, and telling people it's a waste is like trying to ice-skate uphill.


Once upon a time 3000 miles was far enough for almost any oil. In this way (mindset) many in the US haven't gotten beyond the early 70s...

 

[AandPDan]

I think the lower sulfur levels in fuels in Europe plays a role as well. There is always some blow by in an engine.

Less sulfur = less sulfuric acid

 

[ctrcbob]

The cars I lease in France always say to change the oil at 30,000km. Getting out my handy-dandy calculator, I see that is 18,750miles.

I guess it is because European Synthetic is a true Group-IV or V Synthetic.

I guess their oil is better than ours.

 

[shDK]

I don.t think the higher sulphur alone is the reason alone.

 

[threeputtpar]

It's because Europeans get the privledge of taking out a second mortgage on their house to pay for an oil change.

Our oil in the states is relatively cheap, so we can still afford to change it too often. I recently picked up 24 quarts of QSUD for $0.45/quart after rebates. I'm not about to waste it, but you can see why many don't think twice about dumping it well before its usefull life is spent.

 

[Ibrahim]

Originally Posted By: AandPDan
I think the lower sulfur levels in fuels in Europe plays a role as well. There is always some blow by in an engine.

Less sulfur = less sulfuric acid
Originally Posted By: shDK
I don.t think the higher sulphur alone is the reason alone.


True!

Our gasoline in NA has Ethanol and Sulphur levels are higher than those of Europe, also we use thinner oils. 5W30 is most widely used grade in NA and it seems 0W20 will be taking over the crown pretty soon, whereas in Europe they are very happy with A3 &/or C3 rated 5W30's & 5W40's for just about every car.

 

[zloveraz]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
It's because Europeans get the privledge of taking out a second mortgage on their house to pay for an oil change.



+1

You pay $9.00 for a gallon of gas or $21.73 for a liter of Edge 5W30 it will change your perspective quickly... The manufacturer's use the extended OCI has a selling tool.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Castrol-Edge-5W-...strol+edge+5w30

 

[zloveraz]

Originally Posted By: Ibrahim
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
I think the lower sulfur levels in fuels in Europe plays a role as well. There is always some blow by in an engine.

Less sulfur = less sulfuric acid
Originally Posted By: shDK
I don.t think the higher sulphur alone is the reason alone.


Yes but NOX emissions are allowed at a much higher rate in the EU than the US, net result is acid rain, ozone, etc...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

North American Synthetic oil is not synthetic oil. Supposedly their petrol is better quality - anything would be better than the weasle wee sold near my Log Cabin. Ive never seen or looked for an analysis.

 

[Ruperts_Trooper]

Originally Posted By: Ibrahim

Our gasoline in NA has Ethanol and Sulphur levels are higher than those of Europe, also we use thinner oils. 5W30 is most widely used grade in NA and it seems 0W20 will be taking over the crown pretty soon, whereas in Europe they are very happy with A3 &/or C3 rated 5W30's & 5W40's for just about every car.

5W-30 ACEA-C3 is the most common in Europe, at least for current specification engines.

So why does North America use thinner oils? If you take the continent as a whole, the climate variation is similar. There's far more obsession about reducing fuel consumption and emissions in Europe.

 

[shDK]

I think the use of thicker oil might be explained by the use og in general smaller engines that are often pushed harder becouse of a bit higher speedlimits.

and sorry but it.s foolish to talk about prices on lubricants in europe as one pricelevel. If i remember right. There are 27 countryes in the eu. They all have different price levels.

 

[FL_Rob]

Hold on, you are looking at this from two different perspectives.

Perspective one:."I check my oil weekly, at gas stations and I at least check mileage between oil changes..

Perspective two:"I'm the average driver that doesn't know or care that there is a magical substance called oil that is required maintenance on any vehicle ,why would it be? ..the factory put it in there right?"...so if perspective two has a sticker that says"HELLO, YOU HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DUE" ..it's better than letting a good engine die.

This is the the reason for longer EU standards ,go ahead and gloat but even we on the U.S. bitog know that our own fellow Americans could be weakened by todays' modern cars that seem to run forever with little maintenace and hence what your assertion of The U.S. standard is looking skewed simply by being in the U.S.

 

[FL_Rob]

Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: Ibrahim
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
I think the lower sulfur levels in fuels in Europe plays a role as well. There is always some blow by in an engine.

Less sulfur = less sulfuric acid
Originally Posted By: shDK
I don.t think the higher sulphur alone is the reason alone.


Yes but NOX emissions are allowed at a much higher rate in the EU than the US, net result is acid rain, ozone, etc...

Ya ,in china too.. YET we, the U.S., are held to a stricter liability.

I'm off the chain when it comes to other countries double standards.

 

[gofast182]

Originally Posted By: metalboy
Originally Posted By: Ruperts_Trooper


So is this just a huge myth put about and perpetuated by North American workshops, intent on maximising turnover ?


That's a huge factor. In the US, the "3,000 mile rule" has been hammered into the minds of the public quite thoroughly, and telling people it's a waste is like trying to ice-skate uphill.

I don't know. There's not anyone I know who still does 3k. Everyone I know does 5k or uses their OLI as a guide which usually puts them between 7-8k miles.

 

[edwardh1]

Originally Posted By: metalboy
Originally Posted By: Ruperts_Trooper


So is this just a huge myth put about and perpetuated by North American workshops, intent on maximising turnover ?


That's a huge factor. In the US, the "3,000 mile rule" has been hammered into the minds of the public quite thoroughly, and telling people it's a waste is like trying to ice-skate uphill.



3000 miles was chosen by marketing people at iffy lube, how can they be wrong?

 

[Andy636]

Originally Posted By: zloveraz


+1

You pay $9.00 for a gallon of gas or $21.73 for a liter of Edge 5W30 it will change your perspective quickly... The manufacturer's use the extended OCI has a selling tool.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Castrol-Edge-5W-...strol+edge+5w30



Depends on where do you shop from country to country. In my neck of woods a 5L jug of Edge 5-30 will set you back $57 after they rape you with the 24% sale tax...auch

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Why do Europeans do any of the foolish things they do?

Such as starting a world war every now and then, create the euro, tax themselves into oblivion, lend money to bankrupt Mediterranean nations or not use underarm deodorant?

Rock:
We do some 'foolish' things ourselves....like give barrels of money to other countries while our own country falls apart...