The difference lies in the details — and in performance!
Basically, there are three main types of engine oils, each with distinct characteristics.
Mineral oils are the oldest, most well-known, and most commonly used. They are relatively simple and inexpensive, produced through refining crude oil.
Semi-synthetic oils are made through a more complex process but offer significantly better quality — especially in terms of longevity and thermal properties.
Synthetic oils are produced through chemical synthesis and therefore have many enhanced features. Due to their superior performance, they are especially suitable for high-performance engines — such as Porsche engines.
Oil Types and Their Properties
Until the 1970s, monograde oils dominated the market. Each oil had its own defined viscosity.
Multigrade oils, which are now commonly used, are based on low-viscosity base oils combined with special additives (such as polymers like polyester and polyisobutylene). As a result, their viscosity decreases very little at high temperatures.
Because the viscosity of multigrade oils changes only slightly, they are suitable for a much wider temperature range than monograde oils. This means they provide optimal engine protection both in hot and cold conditions. This leads to better lubrication during cold starts and therefore less stress on the engine. Naturally, the performance of such oils remains excellent even at high temperatures.
The SAE classification for multigrade oils includes two grades, such as 0W-40.
These letters and numbers indicate the temperature range within which the oil can maintain its performance.
The number before the W (Winter) shows how viscous the oil remains in cold conditions — the lower the number, the thinner and more fluid the oil.
Thus, 0 indicates very low viscosity oil suitable for use in cold climates. The higher the number, the thicker the oil layer. For example, 10 denotes low-viscosity oil used mainly in cold regions, while 60 represents very thick oil suitable for extremely hot climates. The number 40 indicates medium viscosity, ensuring high performance even at elevated temperatures.
Vehicle and component manufacturers often issue product approvals to ensure the use of the best and highest-quality lubricants. Among the most reputable manufacturers, the following can be mentioned:
Cummins is an American heavy industrial company founded in 1919 by Clessie Cummins. Today, it specializes in designing and manufacturing internal combustion engines and related technologies, such as fuel injection systems, control systems, filtration equipment, and power generation systems. The company’s headquarters is located in Columbus, Indiana. Cummins markets its products through a network of over 600 independent distributors and around 6,000 dealers in more than 190 countries.
In 2011, the company reported revenues of $18 billion and a net profit of $1.75 billion. Cummins is the world’s largest manufacturer of diesel products and technology. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and are listed in the Fortune 500.