Engine oil is one of the most important components of a car, as it lubricates, cools, cleans and protects the engine from wear and tear. Choosing the right engine oil for your vehicle can make a difference in its performance, fuel economy and longevity. However, with so many brands and types of engine oil available in the market, it can be hard to decide which one is best for your car.
In this article, we will compare two premium engine oils: Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 and Castrol Edge 5W30. Both of these oils are synthetic, meaning they are made from artificially synthesized base oils and additives, rather than from crude oil. Synthetic oils have many advantages over conventional oils, such as better resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown and viscosity loss, as well as lower volatility and improved flow at low temperatures.
Both Liqui Moly and Castrol are well-known and reputable brands that have been producing high-quality engine oils for decades. They are also certified by BMW and other prominent vehicle manufacturers, and have engine oils with suitable additives for European vehicles. However, they also have some differences that may affect your choice depending on your preferences and needs. Let us take a look at some of the key features and specifications of Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 and Castrol Edge 5W30.
Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of how thick or thin an oil is, and how well it flows at different temperatures. It is usually expressed by two numbers separated by a W, such as 5W30. The first number indicates the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures (winter), while the second number indicates the oil’s viscosity at high temperatures (summer). The lower the number, the thinner the oil and the better it flows.
Both Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 and Castrol Edge 5W30 have the same viscosity grade of 5W30, which means they are suitable for use in most climates and seasons. They can provide good cold start protection, as well as maintain stable lubrication at high temperatures. However, if you live in an extremely cold or hot environment, you may want to consider a different viscosity grade that matches your conditions better.
Specifications
Specifications are standards or requirements that an engine oil must meet or exceed to be approved by certain organizations or manufacturers. They indicate the quality, performance and compatibility of an engine oil for different types of engines and vehicles. Some common specifications are API (American Petroleum Institute), ACEA (Association des Constructeurs EuropĂ©ens d’Automobiles), ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee) and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 meets or exceeds the following specifications:
- API SN/CF
- ACEA C3
- BMW Longlife-04
- MB-Approval 229.31/229.51/229.52
- VW 504.00/507.00
- Porsche C30
Castrol Edge 5W30 meets or exceeds the following specifications:
- API SN/CF
- ACEA C3
- BMW Longlife-04
- MB-Approval 229.31/229.51
- VW 502.00/505.00/505.01
- Porsche C30
As you can see, both oils have similar specifications, except that Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 has an additional approval from Mercedes-Benz (MB-Approval 229.52) and Volkswagen (VW 507.00). These approvals indicate that Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 has been tested and verified by these manufacturers to meet their specific requirements for certain models of their vehicles. For example, MB-Approval 229.52 is required for some Mercedes-Benz diesel engines with particulate filters, while VW 507.00 is required for some Volkswagen diesel engines with extended service intervals.
If you own a vehicle that requires one of these approvals, you may want to choose Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 over Castrol Edge 5W30 to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. However, if your vehicle does not require these approvals, you can use either oil without any issues.
Performance
Performance is how well an engine oil performs in various aspects, such as protection, cleanliness, fuel economy and emissions. Performance can be measured by various tests and methods, such as laboratory tests, field trials and customer feedback. However, performance can also vary depending on the type, condition and usage of the engine and vehicle, as well as the driving style and environment.
Both Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 and Castrol Edge 5W30 claim to offer excellent performance in terms of protection, cleanliness, fuel economy and emissions. They both use advanced additive technology to provide high levels of wear protection, engine cleanliness, fuel efficiency and emission reduction. They both also claim to be compatible with modern engine technologies, such as turbochargers, direct injection, variable valve timing and exhaust gas recirculation.
However, there are also some differences in their performance claims. For example, Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 claims to offer rapid oil delivery at low temperatures, high lubrication reliability at high and low temperatures, long engine service life due to high level of protection against wear and tear, outstanding engine cleanliness, fuel saving and emission reduction, optimum oil pressure at all engine speeds, smooth engine running and high shear stability.
On the other hand, Castrol Edge 5W30 claims to offer strength under extreme pressure, titanium strong for maximum engine performance, reduces metal-to-metal contact across a range of different driving speeds, protects the engine for the entire drain interval even under extreme pressure, decreases engine deposit formation to help maximize engine response and performance.
As you can see, both oils have similar performance claims, but they also emphasize different aspects of their performance. For example, Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 focuses more on lubrication reliability, engine service life and oil pressure, while Castrol Edge 5W30 focuses more on strength under pressure, titanium technology and metal-to-metal contact. These differences may reflect their different approaches to formulation and additive technology.
Ultimately, the best way to judge the performance of an engine oil is to use it in your own vehicle and observe the results. You may also want to check the reviews and feedback from other users who have used these oils in similar vehicles and conditions as yours.
Price
Price is how much an engine oil costs per unit volume, such as per liter or per quart. Price can vary depending on the availability, demand and quality of an engine oil. Price can also be affected by other factors, such as taxes, discounts and promotions.
According to Amazon.com (as of August 16th 2023), the price of Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 is $12.99 per liter ($49.16 per gallon), while the price of Castrol Edge 5W30 is $9.99 per liter ($37.76 per gallon). This means that Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 is more expensive than Castrol Edge 5W30 by about $3 per liter ($11.4 per gallon).
However, price is not the only factor to consider when choosing an engine oil. You should also consider the quality, performance and compatibility of an engine oil for your vehicle and your driving needs. Sometimes, paying more for a better quality or more compatible oil can save you money in the long run by reducing maintenance costs, extending service intervals and improving fuel economy.
Conclusion
Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 and Castrol Edge 5W30 are both premium synthetic engine oils that offer high levels of protection, cleanliness, fuel economy and emission reduction for modern engines and vehicles. They both have the same viscosity grade of 5W30 and similar specifications from API, ACEA, BMW and Porsche. However, they also have some differences in their approvals from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, their performance claims and their prices.
Depending on your vehicle model, your driving conditions and your personal preferences, you may find one of these oils more suitable for your needs than the other. However, both of these oils are high-quality products that can provide excellent service for your engine and vehicle.
Feature | Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W30 | Castrol Edge 5W30 |
---|---|---|
Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
Wear protection | Excellent | Superior |
Fuel economy | Good | Improved |
Longevity | Can last up to 15,000 miles between oil changes | Can last up to 10,000 miles between oil changes |
Approvals | ACEA C3, API SN Plus, VW 504 00/507 00 | ACEA C3, API SN Plus, BMW LL-04 |
Additional features | Low SAPS oil for vehicles with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) | Contains Titanium FST technology for superior protection against friction and heat |