Russian car owners often make mistakes when choosing engine oil for Chinese cars. According to Anatoly Kerasiy, Director of Innovation at Mirax, failure to comply with the specification may not only result in denial of warranty, but also damage the engine.
The expert reminded that most Chinese manufacturers - Chery, Geely, Haval, GAC and others - offer an extended warranty on their cars for up to seven years. But to maintain this support, it is important to strictly follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.
The main rule is that you cannot violate the requirements of the specification indicated in the vehicle's manual.
If the manual specifies API SN, it is permissible to use oils of newer API SP or API SQ standards, as they are backward compatible. But the use of obsolete API SL and lower oils is not allowed - this can lead to increased engine wear.
Kerasiy paid special attention to the European ACEA standards. If the instructions specify "ACEA C5", the oil must strictly comply with this category. Any deviations reduce the effectiveness of the lubricant and may cause problems during warranty service
Most Chinese brands do not yet have their own OEM approvals, except for the Geely concern. Therefore, following the factory specification is the only right way.
Kerasiy added that the rule of complying with the manufacturer's requirements is relevant not only for Chinese cars, but also for any modern cars with turbocharged and hybrid engines.