¿0W o 5W? El error técnico que acelera el desgaste de tu motor

Many believe that 0W oil is a cure-all, but the data from this study with real engines says otherwise. See why the thickening polymer could be destroying your engine from the inside. The Myth of 0W vs. 5W Oils in the City The author addresses the popular belief that 0W oils are superior to 5W for city driving because, being less viscous at low temperatures, they reduce engine wear. The author points out that there is no technical study that demonstrates that a 0W oil protects better than a 5W [00:28]. The Importance of Viscosity and Polymers To refute this idea, a study conducted by Shell and Mercedes-Benz on real engines (model OM 616) is cited. The results were counterintuitive but revealing: Less wear with higher viscosity: It was observed that SAE 30 oil (monograde, without thickening polymers) provided the least wear at both low and high temperatures (up to 180°C), outperforming multigrade oils such as 10W30 [02:15], [02:22]. The problem with thickening polymers: The author explains that, in extreme lubrication situations (where there is a high load, such as in the piston-cylinder assembly), thickening polymers are usually ineffective. Under these conditions, what actually protects is the natural viscosity of the oil base, not the additives that modify its viscosity [03:21]. Why isn't the industry following this path? The video raises a critical reflection on the current market: Efficiency over durability: The current automotive industry prioritizes fuel economy and emissions reduction to comply with tax regulations. This leads them to formulate very low viscosity oils loaded with thickening polymers [05:32]. New alternatives: The author mentions the HPL brand, which is developing ranges of oils without thickening polymers specifically designed for enthusiasts seeking maximum engine protection, leveraging the expertise of tribology specialists [06:47]. Conclusion and recommendations The author concludes with an observation based on Chevron data: higher viscosity oils (such as 15W30) tend to offer better protection when the oil is heavily contaminated, a common occurrence in modern engines (direct injection, EGR systems) [10:01]. While this cannot be generalized to all vehicles, the author suggests that using oils with fewer thickening polymers could be beneficial in reducing long-term wear, always recommending used oil analysis to determine the actual condition of each engine [11:04].