Both the oils are completely synthetic. Selenia is utilized in diesel engines only, on the other hand, Syntium can be used for diesel along with gosoline supported engines. Selenia’s center of focus is engine rinsing meanwhile Syntium generally focuses on safeguarding from engine wear and tear.
Selenia provides excellent working of catalytic converter because it contains fewer number of ZDDP compounds. A higher quantity of detergents in the oil allows the removal of sludge more effectively. The presence of decent numbers of anti-wear additives allows good resistance against engine wearing. Selenia provides longer oil changing intervals because of its higher TBN.
Syntium is mainly well known for its protection against the degradation of engines. The presence of wear-resistant compounds in abundance allows lower engine degradation, increasing its life. The performance of oil at uplifted temperature is also quite superior with minimal variations in its viscosity. This oil is also affordable because of its lower price.
| Details | Petronas Selenia WR Forward (0W-20 Grade oil) | Petronas Syntium 7000 (0W-20 Grade oil) |
| Oil Category | Wholly Synthetic | Wholly Synthetic |
| Engine Category | Diesel Engines | Gasoline and Diesel Engines |
| Grades of Viscosity available | 5W-40 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30 | 0W-20, 0W-40, 0W-30, 0W-16 |
| ILSAC | Unavailable | GF-5 |
| API | Unavailable | SN |
| Pricing per 4 Liters | 62.35 $ | 31.06 $ |
| Frequency of Oil Replacement (Km) | 20,000 | 7000-8000 |
| Supplements | Dispersants, Wearing resistant, Detergents | Viscosity enhancer, Wearing resistant Detergents, Anti-oxidants, Dispersants |
| ACEA | C2 | A3/B4 |
Table of Contents
Comparing Engine Wearing resistance
The addition of anti-wearing additives helps to lower the problem of wearing and tearing of an engine. These additives develop a fine layer around the engine moving parts. The layers do not allow these moving parts to slide on one another which greatly reduces the friction between them. The higher concentrations of these wearing-resistant supplements in the oil provide greater protection against engine degradation, prolonging its life.
Selenia contains a low amount of wear opposing supplements. So, this oil provides comparatively less protection against engine wear.
The more significant quantities of these additives in the Syntium allow the formation of a stronger coating about the engine’s moving components. This enables the oil to provide better shielding against engine wear and better lubrication for proper functioning.
Contrasting viscosity of oils
The estimate of the oil’s capability to transfer momentum between its layers is referred to as kinematic viscosity. This kinematic viscosity is required to be high in order to ensure its superior performance at higher temperatures. The potential of oil to resist any change in its kinematic viscosity upon temperature increment is known as the viscosity index. A higher viscosity index will enable the oil to maintain its viscosity at elevated temperatures. The least temperature beneath which the oil losses the ability of flowing is called its pour point. This pour point is needed to be as low as possible to provide better cold startups.
Syntium has a faintly higher kinematic viscosity at average and maximum temperatures. This ensures its superior performance at both these respective temperatures compared to its counterpart.
The viscosity index of both oils is the same indicating that they will experience similar viscosity variations when the temperature rises. Also, due to similar pour point temperatures, the two oils provide identical performance in colder regions.
| Oils in Contrast (Viscosity Grades 0W-20) | Normal Temperature Kinematic viscosity (40 o C) (cSt) | Higher temperature Kinematic Viscosity (100 o C) (cSt) | Index Viscosity | Pouring point Temperature (centigrade) |
| Selenia | 44 | 8.3 | 167 | -40 |
| Syntium | 45 | 8.4 | 167 | -40 |
Contrasting catalytic converter operation
Anti-wearing additives include zinc plus phosphorus compounds which form ash upon oil burn-off. The ash clogs the catalytic converter by plunging into it. This restricts the performance of a converter and makes it less efficient.
The testing shows that Selenia contains these anti-wearing compounds in relatively lower amounts enabling it to provide better catalytic converter performance because of low ash formation.
Meanwhile, the performance of Syntium from a catalytic converter point of view is slightly low because of its greater ZDDP ash build-ups.
Contrasting Oil Sludge Emergence
The interlinkage of oxidized oil with the dirt or other debris forms a black semi-solid fluid called sludge. The sludge has a negative impact on engine performance by blocking the oil motion in its interior. To lower the formation of sludge, special supplements are incorporated into the oil known as detergents.
A greater quantity of detergents in the Selenia allows relatively superior cleaning of the engine. This enables the oil to run smoothly because of the low formation of sludge.
Syntium due to its lower detergent concentrations is less effective in fighting against the issue of sludge production. This makes the oil in comparison to its twin less effective in terms of resisting the sludge build-up.
Contrasting Priorly Ignition Shielding
The quantity of lighter particulates in an oil decides its volatility. The presence of these particles in higher amounts makes it more volatile as these lightweight particles are not capable of resisting the exaggerated temperatures. If the oil is more volatile, the chance of prior oil combustion also rises.
Both the oils have similar flashpoints. So, they contain lighter molecules in similar numbers providing equal protection against the quick ignition.
| Oils in Contrast (Viscosity grades 0W-20) | Flash-point (Centigrade) |
| Selenia | 200 |
| Syntium | 200 |
Comparing the Frequency of oil exchanging
Total Base Number (TBN) decides oil exchange duration. TBN is a measure of base additives in the oil. These supplements are incorporated for counterbalancing the acids that are generated during the ignition process. The concentrations of these additives decrease after some time. Therefore, a higher TBN (more bases) lowers the frequency of changing the oil and vice versa.
Selenia gives prolonged oil interchanging durations due to its higher base additives (higher TBN) enabling it to be replaced after moving a 20,000-kilometer distance greater compared to that of its rival.
Syntium has comparatively lower TBN which makes the oil less effective in neutralizing the acids. For this reason, it provides shorter intervals of replacing the oil between every 7,000 to 8,000 kilometers.
Summary
- These motor oils are entirely synthetic.
- Selenia is used for diesel engines only while Syntium can be utilized for both diesel and gasoline supported engines.
- Selenia is ahead of its rival in terms of sludge rinsing because it has a greater quantity of detergents.
- Both the oils provide identical protection against quick burning of oil because of their similar flashpoint temperatures.
- The higher amount of anti-wearing supplements in Syntium allows better resistance against the problem of engine wearing.
- Syntium has a relatively higher kinematic viscosity performing marginally better at higher temperatures.
- Both oils provide similar cold startups.
- Higher TBN of Selenia gives lower oil swap frequency.
- Syntium is less costly compared to other oil.
