Frequently Asked Questions

Why are American-made oils better suited to US vehicles?

The production of lubricants, among other things, considers the specifics of machinery produced and operated in the USA.

Can US-made oils be used in European cars?

Even though SUNOCO oils are native to the United States, they have the latest API licenses, as well as approvals from European vehicle manufacturers, which allows them to be used in European or Asian vehicles as well.

What makes US oils better?

To say that some oils are better than others, or that “American” oils are better than “European” ones, is not quite right. Lubricants, that are made by famous brands on the certified manufactures, can be compared by the level of properties, availability of licenses, approvals of equipment manufacturers. For example, SUNOCO oils for passenger vehicles have the latest licenses of the American Petroleum Institute (API SP), which indicates their high quality.

Is there a difference in the application of oils depending on fuel quality? European standards for fuel are different.

A lot depends on the situation, but in general – «yes», if we are talking about the appropriateness and the correct operation of the vehicle, especially a diesel engine. The level of fuel and oil quality directly affects the success in achieving environmental standards for diesel engines EURO 5/EURO 6 level. There are also engines that can operate or are running on high sulfur diesel fuel, and just for them, engine oils with a set of certain properties are recommended, which allows for a long life of the engine.

Which plants produce SUNOCO products represented in Ukraine?

SUNOCO lubricants production plants supplied to Ukraine are in Bensalem (Pennsylvania, USA) and Algete (Madrid Province, Spain)

What is the shelf life of SUNOCO lubricants?

SUNOCO products have a shelf life of 5 years¹ if properly stored:
– products manufactured in the United States – 5 years¹;
– Products manufactured in Spain – 4 years¹.

¹ – Industrial products and aerosols may have a different shelf life depending on the type of product itself.

How can I find out the production date of SUNOCO products?

Each package contains a batch number that shows the production date: the year, the order number of the day of the year, and the batch number of that day’s filling.

How to recycle used SUNOCO lubricants?

“SUNOCO TRADING” responsibly refers to the legislation of Ukraine and pays recycling fee for each liter of imported SUNOCO oil. Our partner in Ukraine provides our clients with SUNOCO waste oil recycling services free of charge: it picks up the used oils, recycles them and provides a list of necessary documents.

All SUNOCO passenger car engine oils are mostly API SP certified. My car manufacturer recommends API SN. Can I use your products?

API SP certified oils exceed all the previous API classes, including API SN, so you can use SUNOCO’s API SP oils.

I have both passenger cars and light trucks in my fleet. Does SUNOCO have a universal oil for all vehicles?

There is no one oil for all models and varieties of vehicles without exception, but there are oils that are suitable for a very large list of both passenger cars and light trucks. These products can be used in mixed fleets that run vehicles on gasoline, diesel, and gas. However, it is worth remembering that the selection of a single engine oil for a mixed fleet should be made in cooperation with the SUNOCO technical department.

We have trucks that operate on both natural gas and diesel. Could you tell me, please, which SUNOCO oils we may use?

SUNOCO SUPER C-3 GOLD are the universal engine oils, which is designed for use in the engines of commercial vehicles that use natural gas, diesel or gasoline as fuel.

Can I mix different oils?

Any lubricant manufacturer does not recommend mixing different brands of oil or oils of different viscosity or base oil bases. As a minimum, an oil of the same grade and viscosity may be added, and the oil may be drained and refilled at the earliest opportunity.

Why are there so many different types of engine oils?

Many engine manufacturers use different technologies, equipment, and components, so they need oils that are best suited to their engine technology. In addition, engine oil technology is improving day by day. Thus, the large range of engine oils allows you to meet the need for oils for engines of different types of equipment and manufacturers that operate in different weather conditions.

Which engine oil is best for my car?

You choose your engine oil according to the recommendations of your vehicle’s manufacturer. The owner’s manual often indicates the viscosities and performance levels below which you should not use the oil. Further it is your choice. The main thing is to choose a brand of a reliable manufacturer.

How to properly store lubricants?

We strongly recommend that lubricants should be stored in a cool, dry place that protects containers from humidity and direct sunlight.

How can I find out detailed technical information about SUNOCO oil?

A detailed description, including physical and chemical parameters, can be found on the page of each SUNOCO brand product on our website in the file “Technical description of the product”. You can also contact our technical specialists for advice.

Does SUNOCO offer food grade lubricants?

Yes. You can find a complete list of products for the food industry on our website at https://sunocoukraine.com/product-category/industrial/industrial-food-grade/.

What hydraulic oils are available in SUNOCO’s product list?

SUNOCO has many hydraulic oils in its product range. You can find out more about them at https://sunocoukraine.com/product-category/hydraulic/.

May I add third-party additives to SUNOCO engine oils?

A ready-to-use (commercial) engine oil is a balanced product that has been developed according to specific formulations, and therefore has 100% of the performance characteristics that it was designed for. Adding additives to SUNOCO oils can lead to a deterioration in oil properties and engine protection, so we do not recommend adding third-party additives to SUNOCO products

Which oil is better – mineral or synthetic?

Synthetic oils have a much better set of operational properties. That is why they are better than mineral oils, but at the same time they are more expensive than mineral ones. At the same time, when choosing a lubricant, you should always consider the appropriateness of application, condition of the equipment, its operating conditions, and requirements of the manufacturer.

Where can I buy original SUNOCO oils?

We sell SUNOCO lubricants through a network of authorized distributors. Information about them can be found on our website at https://sunocoukraine.com/en/partners/.

Why are low-ash engine oils needed for some trucks?

Their main purpose is to be used in EURO 5/EURO 6 level diesel engines that are equipped with exhaust aftertreatment systems, such as a diesel particulate filter. Their special composition (low-ash engine oils) allows to reduce the load on the engine aftertreatment systems and extend their service life.

How do I lubricate the truck saddle?

Each truck driver knows – for long and trouble-free operation, the tractor saddle must be lubricated every time the semitrailer is replaced. We have made even this simple procedure easy and convenient by supplying a special 5th Wheel Grease Pad in a solid bar form. Simply place the 5th Wheel Grease Pad evenly on the fifth wheel saddle before attaching the semitrailer. Application video: https://youtu.be/QxnJ6WgfyBQ.

How often the oil level in the engine should be checked?

If your car is in good condition and you use properly selected and high-quality oil, then the oil level in the engine should be checked periodically, e.g., once a week. If you use the car in the city for short distances in the “start-stop” mode, you can check it more often. And it is recommended to do it before each long trip.

Why do i need to change my engine oil and how often is it recommended?

Over time, new oil gradually loses its properties, particularly its ability to lubricate, protect and keep clean engine surfaces. The loosing rate of oil properties depends on many factors, the main ones being: engine design features, operating conditions, technical condition of the engine due to mileage, etc. The criteria for the choice of oil and its change frequency are set by the car manufacturer depending on mileage, service life and loads. For most modern cars, this is 15 thousand kilometers or once a year.

How do i know when to change the oil?

Follow the service intervals recommended by the car manufacturer. These intervals can be found in the service guide or in the car owner’s manual.
Some modern cars have an oil life monitoring system that uses sensors to track mileage, measure engine temperature and calculate the degree of engine oil degradation. This system will show you when it is time for an oil change.

What determines engine oil consumption?

The design of an internal combustion engine means that the engine consumes a small amount of engine oil. Several factors affect engine oil consumption, the main ones being: design features, milleage and wear of the engine, driving habits and conditions, and oil quality and viscosity. Using oil of poor quality or inappropriate viscosity can affect oil consumption. It is important to use the oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Why does the oil darken during use?

The darking of engine oil is a natural and expected phenomenon, it darkens during operation due to several factors and processes taking place inside the engine. Firstly, it is the oxidation of the oil due to high temperatures, which leads to the formation of organic compounds such as sludge and varnish, which contribute to the darkening of the oil. The second is the cleaning effect of the oil itself: engine oil contains detergents and dispersants that help to clean the internal components of the engine. As the oil circulates through the engine, it absorbs and suspends dirt, soot and other contaminants. This process causes the oil to darken as the contaminants accumulate. This last one is particularly true in diesel, where the engine oil quickly accumulates soot particles from incomplete combustion of the fuel.