Contents: Cleaners ↡ Lubricating fluids ↡ Qualities of motor oils ↡ Additives for motor oils ↡ Sealants ↡ Chemicals ↡ Others ↡
There are many chemicals, oils, and lubricants available for sale that are essential for routine maintenance and repair of a vehicle. These include a wide range of chemical and petroleum products, from cleaning compounds and solvents to oils, greases, and aerosols to protect rubber and plastic components of a vehicle.
Cleaners
The injection and air damper cleaner is a powerful solvent for resins, carbon deposits and carbon deposits. Most cleaners leave behind a dry-type lubricating film that does not harden or become resinous over time. It is because of the formation of such a film that these cleaners are not recommended for cleaning electrical components.
Brake system cleaner is used to remove traces of grease and brake fluid from the surfaces of brake system components, where absolute cleanliness is a primary condition for efficient operation. The cleaner leaves no traces and in many cases eliminates the squeal of brake mechanisms caused by contamination of their components.
The cleaner for electrical components helps to remove oxide films, traces of corrosion and carbon deposits from contact surfaces without disrupting electrical conductivity. It can also be used to clean spark plugs, jets, voltage regulators and other units where complete cleaning from oil and grease is desired.
Desiccants are used to remove water and moisture from the surfaces of electrical components such as generators, voltage regulators, fuse boxes, electrical connectors, etc. Desiccants are typically non-conductive, non-corrosive, and non-flammable.
(Article based on data from the website: «MERCEDESMAN»)
Degreasers are super-strong solvents and are used to remove traces of grease from the outer surfaces of the engine and chassis components. They are available as aerosols or applied with a brush or brush and, depending on the type, are washed off with either water or solvent.
Lubricating fluids
Engine oils are specially designed compounds for lubricating internal engine components. They usually contain a wide range of various additives that prevent foaming and corrosion. Engine oils are available in various viscosity grades - from 5 to 80. The need to use a particular grade of oil is usually determined by climatic conditions and the requirements of a specific engine. Liquid (light) oils are usually used in cold climates and with minor engine loads. Heavy (viscous) oils are used in hot conditions and with increased engine loads. All-season oils have the characteristics of both light and heavy oils and are usually designated from 5W-20 to 20W-50.
Qualities of motor oils
All-season oils are relatively inexpensive oils with the following qualities:
- year-round use in temperate climate zones;
- excellent cleaning properties;
- good lubricating ability at all temperatures and engine loads;
- high stability of initial properties over a long period of time.
All-season oils with improved antifriction properties also have additional advantages:
- year-round use at almost all possible outdoor temperatures;
- low engine power losses due to friction;
- facilitating cold engine starting - even at very low temperatures.
Note: Due to their specific viscosity-temperature properties, seasonal oils usually cannot be used all year round. Therefore, these oils should only be used in extreme climate zones.
When using all-season oils of class SAE 5W-30, it is necessary to avoid prolonged operation of the engine at high speed and constant high load on the engine. These restrictions do not apply to all-season oils with improved antifriction properties.
Additives for motor oils
No friction reducing additives should be added to engine oils.
Follow the rule: always use the correct high-quality oil of the same brand for the engine (by classification) and don't risk mixing it with the same synthetic (or semi-synthetic) oil. The engine will thank you for this with reliable operation. Do not buy oil from hands, as the packaging is easy to counterfeit.
The transmission oil is designed for use in differentials, gearboxes, and other components where resistance to high temperatures is required.
Chassis Component and Wheel Bearing Grease is a thick grease used in high load and friction applications such as wheel bearings, suspension ball joints, tie rod ends and universal joints.
High-temperature wheel bearing grease is able to withstand the effects of high temperatures that occur in wheel bearings of vehicles equipped with disc brakes. Typically contains molybdenum disulfide, which is a dry-type lubricant.
White grease (tsiatim) is a thick grease applied to metal surfaces in contact with each other in places where there are problems with increased moisture. It remains soft at both low and high temperatures, and is not washed out or diluted by water.
Assembly grease is a special grease for use under high pressure conditions, usually contains molybdenum and is used to lubricate components subject to increased loads (such as main and connecting rod bearings and cam lobes) before the first engine start after completion of a major overhaul.
Silicone lubricants are used to protect rubber, plastic, vinyl and nylon components.
Graphite greases are used where oil cannot be used due to contamination problems (for example, in castles). Dry graphite perfectly lubricates metal parts, preventing the impact of moisture, acids and other aggressive contaminants on them. The lubricant is electrically conductive and does not disrupt contact in such units as, for example, the ignition switch.
Molybdenum-containing penetrating compounds are used to facilitate the release of "stuck" fasteners, as well as to lubricate fasteners to prevent corrosion in the future.
Thermally conductive grease is non-conductive and is used for installing electronic ignition modules that require intensive heat dissipation.
Sealants
RTV sealant is the most widely used gasket sealant. It is silicon-based, air-curing, provides sealing, adhesion, is waterproof, fills surface defects, remains flexible, does not shrink or shrink, is relatively easy to remove, and is used in addition to almost all gaskets on units where temperatures do not exceed average values.
Unlike RTV sealant, anaerobic sealant can be used not only in addition to gaskets, but also to form them. It remains elastic, is resistant to solvents and fills surface irregularities well. The main difference from RTV sealant is in the curing conditions. If RTV sealant begins to harden after exposure to air, then anaerobic sealant only hardens in the absence of air. This means that such sealant hardens only after assembling the components and pressing them tightly together.
Pipe and thread sealant is used to seal nipple connections of hydraulic, pneumatic and vacuum lines. It is usually made on the basis of a Teflon compound and supplied in the form of aerosols applied like paint, liquids or in the form of tape (FUM).
Chemicals
Anti-seize compound is used to prevent "sticking", corrosion, jamming and cold welding of fasteners. High-temperature anti-seize sealants are usually made on the basis of copper-containing or graphite lubricants and are used in fasteners of the exhaust system and exhaust manifold.
Anaerobic gripping compounds are used to prevent spontaneous release of fasteners under the influence of vibrations and harden only after installation in the absence of contact with air. Medium-power gripping compounds are used to fix small fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws), which are subject to regular release in the future. High-power compounds are usually used to lock large fasteners that are not released on a regular basis.
Oil additives serve to change the chemical properties of the oil without changing its viscosity in order to reduce internal friction in the engine. It should be noted that most manufacturers of motor oils warn against the use of any additives to them.
Fuel additives perform several functions at once, depending on their chemical composition. They usually contain solvents that help remove slag and carbon deposits from the internal surfaces and components of the fuel injection system and intake tract. In addition, the use of such additives helps remove carbon deposits that form on the walls of combustion chambers. Some additives contain substances that serve to lubricate the components of the upper part of the cylinder head (valve mechanism, piston rings), while others help remove condensation from the walls of the fuel tank.
Others
Brake fluid is a specially developed compound that can withstand the effects of high temperatures and pressures that occur in the brake system. Do not allow brake fluid to come into contact with painted surfaces of the car or exposed areas of the body. Brake fluid is poisonous. Keep brake fluid in a hermetically sealed container to prevent moisture from getting into it (the liquid is very hygroscopic) and dirt.
During vehicle operation, brake fluid absorbs a certain amount of water from the surrounding air. Too much water in the brake fluid can eventually cause corrosion of the working brake system components. In addition, the boiling point of the brake fluid is significantly reduced.
Therefore, you should change the brake fluid every two years!
Note: If the brake fluid is very old, it is possible that, under high load on the service brake system, steam bubbles may form in the system. This has a negative effect on the efficiency of the service brake system and, therefore, on driving safety.
Only recommended brake fluid must be used (refer to Specifications).
Adhesive for fixing sealing strips of body openings, as its name suggests, is used for fixing sealing strips of door openings, windows and trunk lids. It can be used for fixing interior trim elements.
Anti-corrosion coating for the underbody of a car is a tar-like composition made on an oil base and serves for a protective coating of metal surfaces, preventing their corrosion. In addition, it performs the function of soundproofing the interior.
Waxes and polishes are used to protect painted surfaces from environmental influences. Different types of paint may require different types of waxes and polishes. Some polishes contain abrasives or chemical additives that remove the outer layer of oxides (tarnishings) from the painted surfaces of old cars. Recently, various types of wax-free polishes have become widely available on the market, which contain many chemical additives such as polymers or silicon-based substances. Such polishes are usually easier to apply and last longer than regular (wax) polishes.