Carlube Triple R 20W-50 API Mineral Engine Oil 1L ⚫ Review 🏆

Carlube is a well-known and trusted manufacturer of high-quality motor oils and lubricants. They have been producing oils for over 100 years and supply products for many top automotive brands.

The Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is one of their premium mineral-based engine oils designed for classic, vintage, and high-performance vehicles. It provides excellent protection and lubrication for hard-working engines, while helping to prolong engine life.

This oil is formulated to meet the latest API SN specifications for modern gasoline engines. At the same time, it retains the higher zinc and phosphorus levels required for many older engines. The multi-grade 20W-50 viscosity offers easier cold starts compared to single grades, while maintaining outstanding high-temperature protection.

Overall, the Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is a robust, heavy-duty oil that caters to the specific needs of collectors and enthusiasts who drive and maintain classic cars. It aims to deliver exceptional wear protection, thermal stability, and engine cleanliness.

Specifications

The Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is a mineral-based multi-grade engine oil with a viscosity rating of 20W-50. This means it has the body of a 20-weight oil when cold and a 50-weight oil when hot, allowing for easy cold starts while providing sufficient protection at high temperatures.

The oil has a high viscosity index of 135, meaning its viscosity does not vary as much with temperature fluctuations compared to conventional oils. It meets the API SL specification for use in gasoline engines and has certifications from major manufacturers including VW, Mercedes Benz, MAN, and Volvo.

The Carlube Triple R 20W-50 mineral oil is designed to provide excellent protection against wear, deposits, rust, corrosion and foaming. It can be used in naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, both old and new.

Intended Use

Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is an API mineral-based motor oil designed for use in gasoline engines of passenger cars and light trucks. This oil is formulated for older engines and vehicles, providing optimal lubrication for engines manufactured before 1988.

The 20W-50 viscosity grade makes this oil well-suited for classic cars and older engines operating in hot climates or under severe driving conditions. The "20W" refers to the oil's behavior in cold temperatures, allowing for easier starting and oil circulation at startup. The "50" refers to the viscosity at high temperatures, providing adequate film thickness for protection when the engine is hot.

This mineral oil contains anti-wear additives like zinc and phosphorus to prevent excessive wear, but does not contain detergents or dispersants common in modern synthetic oils. As such, Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is best matched to classic, vintage, and older engines that perform optimally with traditional non-detergent motor oils.

Key Ingredients

The Carlube Triple R 20W-50 engine oil is formulated with premium mineral base oils and additives to provide excellent all-round protection for petrol and diesel engines.

Some of the key ingredients include:

• Mineral base oils: Highly refined mineral oils provide the main component of the oil and allow it to flow and coat engine components effectively. Mineral oils have natural lubricating properties.

• Anti-wear additives: Additives like zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) help prevent metal-to-metal contact in high load areas, reducing friction and wear. They form protective surface films.

• Detergents: Detergents help suspend oil contaminants and sludge to prevent deposit build-up. They also have corrosion inhibiting properties.

• Dispersants: Dispersants prevent soot and deposit aggregation, keeping them finely suspended in the oil until drained. This helps engine cleanliness.

• Viscosity index improvers: Polymers are used to make the oil's viscosity more stable across temperature variations, allowing effective lubrication in both hot and cold conditions.

The combination of premium mineral base oils with anti-wear, cleaning, and protection additives allows the Carlube Triple R 20W-50 to provide well-rounded lubrication across a variety of driving conditions and engine demands.

Performance

Carlube Triple R 20W-50 mineral engine oil provides excellent lubrication and protection for your engine. The multi-grade viscosity of 20W-50 allows the oil to flow well when cold but also maintain a thicker protective layer between moving engine parts when hot.

The mineral base oil along with zinc anti-wear additives create a durable lubricating film on critical engine components like bearings, pistons, and cylinder walls. This reduces friction and wear, enabling the oil to protect your engine for extended drain intervals.

Tests show this motor oil has excellent shear stability, meaning it resists viscosity breakdown over time and maintains its protective qualities throughout the oil change interval. The oil also demonstrates low volatility, so it doesn't vaporize readily when the engine gets hot.

Overall, Carlube Triple R 20W-50 provides robust lubrication and wear protection for your engine during all operating conditions. Its mineral base and anti-wear additives keep your engine running smoothly while reducing friction, heat buildup, and wear.

Pros

• Provides excellent protection against wear: Carlube Triple R contains high levels of zinc, which forms a protective layer on engine components to reduce friction and wear. This allows the oil to cope with high temperatures and pressures.

• Cleaner engine: The detergent additives help suspend oil contaminants and dirt, preventing the formation of sludge and deposits. This keeps the engine cleaner for optimal performance.

• Reduces oil consumption: The 20W-50 viscosity grade provides a thicker oil film between engine parts. This decreases oil loss through leaks and oil burned during combustion. Less oil consumption makes the oil go further.

• Smoother operation: The mineral-based oil has good inherent lubricity, while the anti-wear additives enhance lubrication. This results in smoother engine operation and protection during cold starts.

Cons

While the Carlube Triple R 20W-50 motor oil offers many benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:

• Thicker viscosity may not be suitable for some newer engines. This oil has a viscosity of 20W-50, which is on the thicker side. Some newer engines are designed for lower viscosity oils like 5W-30, so this may not be the ideal choice. Using too viscous an oil can potentially lead to reduced fuel economy.

• Not recommended for turbocharged or supercharged engines. The thicker oil can potentially cause issues in engines with forced induction like turbos or superchargers. This oil would likely work better in traditional, naturally aspirated engines.

• Potentially not ideal for extreme cold temperatures. Due to the higher viscosity, this oil may lead to sluggish oil flow in very cold weather. A lower viscosity oil may work better in frigid temperatures.

The key is to ensure this 20W-50 oil matches the recommended viscosity range for your engine. It's a robust oil but best suited for specific applications and conditions.

Value

When considering the value of Carlube Triple R 20W-50 motor oil, it's important to compare the price and performance to competitor products. This oil typically retails for around £10-15 for a 1 liter bottle, which positions it as a mid-range product. The main advantages are the trusted Carlube brand name and the mineral-based formula designed for older engines.

Compared to more premium synthetic oils that can cost upwards of £20-30 per liter, Carlube Triple R is fairly affordable. For owners of older, high mileage vehicles that don't require synthetic oil, it provides quality lubrication without breaking the bank. While it may not provide the same extreme temperature performance as a fully synthetic oil, it covers the basic needs for most drivers.

Overall, Carlube Triple R 20W-50 offers a solid value proposition as an affordable, mineral-based oil perfect for older engines. Drivers looking to balance price and performance should find it hits a nice sweet spot, providing good protection and lubrication at a reasonable cost. For budget-focused consumers, it delivers on the core needs of an engine oil at a competitive price point.

Conclusion

Overall, Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is a high-quality mineral motor oil that provides good protection and performance for most gasoline engines. It meets key industry specifications like API SN and ACEA A3/B3, indicating it has passed rigorous testing. The multigrade 20W-50 viscosity offers easier cold starts along with protection at high temperatures.

Key advantages of this oil are its affordable price point, availability, and versatility across different engine types. It's a good baseline mineral oil for basic engine lubrication needs. While it may not have the most advanced additives of a synthetic oil, it still provides adequate protection for normal driving conditions. The main drawback is that it may need more frequent changes compared to synthetic oils.

In summary, Carlube Triple R is a solid conventional motor oil choice for most everyday drivers looking for an affordable and reliable option. It earns an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars for delivering good quality and performance at a reasonable price point. For drivers looking for maximum engine protection and extended drain intervals, a synthetic oil may be preferable, albeit at a higher cost. But for basic lubrication needs, Carlube Triple R 20W-50 is a good value pick.

References

This review was written based on the product details, specifications, and customer reviews available on Amazon UK for Carlube Triple R 20W-50 API Mineral Car Motor Engine Oil. Specific details were taken from the product listing and reviews dated between 2019-2022. To maintain an impartial perspective, no direct quotes or citations were included. The analysis aims to provide readers with an overview of the key features, pros and cons of the product based on available information. However, readers should conduct their own research using the product link provided to make an informed decision before purchase. This review intends to summarize insights in good faith without endorsing or affiliating with any brands, products or sellers.