An auto expert explained the harm of idling for a car

If the car has been parked on the street without moving for about a year, it is worth changing the engine oil in it. If it has been in a warm box without moving, nothing critical should happen. This was told by the head of the center of technical expertise Sintec Lubricants Roman Sokuev on November 18.

The specialist told "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" that most automakers recommend changing the oil in the engine at least once a year. In this case, it is important to take into account where the car was standing. If in a warm box, then after a long parking it is enough to check the levels of technical fluids and battery charge. If the car was outdoors or in a garage, then due to large temperature differences, condensation has formed inside the engine. Over the course of a year, a significant amount of it can accumulate.

"Water in engine oil is a foreign fraction that can contribute to undesirable phenomena, such as the formation of organic acids or sludge. It is difficult to predict the reaction of all the components of a modern compound engine oil with these substances," the specialist explained.

In addition, most modern engines consist of elements made of light alloy metals, which easily contribute to chemical reactions of oil components (oxidation, polymerization). Due to the fact that the oil is not stirred for a whole year, their concentration increases at the point of contact. In addition, in a non-running engine, the oil components can stratify, the auto expert warned.

Earlier in the day, auto expert Dmitry Nikolaevich told that the main stage of preparing the car for the winter season is to check the battery. It is it that provides starting of the engine in the cold season. But low temperatures significantly slow down chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its capacity and ability to provide the necessary starting current.