Old love never rusts! Whether pre-war veteran, vintage or modern classic car - all convey an unmistakable zeitgeist of the mobility of bygone times when driving. The comprehensive "Classic Line" from Motorex is tailored to the individual lubrication requirements of each era and is available as a full range in all standard container sizes.
These motor oils make a significant contribution to the preservation of motorized cultural assets.
Motorex has many years of experience in the development of engine oils and also applies this experience to the lubricants used in classic cars.
Which viscosity?
Let's start with the monograde engine oils:
- For normal use. Engines with water cooling and vehicles with starters (no winter operation): SAE 40
- For engines with crank (manual start): SAE 30
- For air-cooled engines and motorcycles: SAE 50
- SAE 50 can also be used for overheating problems (improves cooling performance)
- SAE 50 can also be used for high oil consumption
It is somewhat simpler and clearer with multigrade engine oils:
- For large-volume engines: SAE 10W/30
- For high-performance engines: SAE 15W/40
- For racing engines with high speeds and temperatures: SAE 20W/50
Caution: Viscous engine oils have a longer oiling time (period until the oil pressure is built up and all lubrication points are supplied with oil).
When and how often should the oil be changed?
If possible, the oil should always be changed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If no more documentation is available, these general non-binding guidelines apply:
- REGULAR: 1000 to 2000 km or every 6 months
- SUPREME: 2000 to 5000 km or every 12 months
- HEAVY DUTY: 5000 to 7500 km or every 12 months
- EVOTEC: 5000 to 10,000 km or every 12 months
These guide values depend on the oil quantity, performance, driving style, condition of the engine and thermal load on the oil (change more frequently for air-cooled engines).
The oil should always be changed before a longer period of inactivity (longer than 6 months) (risk of condensation), regardless of the number of kilometers driven.
If the period of inactivity is longer than two years, the oil should be checked before the first start (possible ageing due to humidity at the storage location). Additional lubrication of the cylinders by lubrication via the spark plug hole should be checked.
If in doubt, it is better to change too much oil and filter than too little. If the operating instructions are available, study them thoroughly and proceed accordingly.
Oil changes should be carried out before the shutdown period, i.e. usually in the fall. The oil should be drained at operating temperature. This allows the combustion residues that have accumulated in the oil and lead to oxidation to be eliminated. The new oil should be brought to operating temperature in the engine so that all relevant parts come into good contact with the lubricating oil, thus creating an anti-corrosion film.
Special case of running-in oil
Older engines that contain cylinders, pistons, piston rings and other friction partners that are not hard-chromed or surface-coated are run in after an engine overhaul. This process is intended to adapt the friction points to each other and smooth the surface structure. To speed up the process, an unalloyed engine oil (recommendation: RUNNING IN SAE 30) is used, which allows a higher level of friction.
The running-in period lasts between 10 and 20 operating hours. High engine speeds and high engine loads should be avoided during running-in; the load and speed should be constantly varied. At the same time, the engine oil level should be checked more frequently. After the running-in process, the running-in oil should be drained hot. The oil filter must also be replaced. The prescribed "normal" engine oil can then be filled in.
Further information and many tips can be found on the Motorex website.
