Engine oil is essential for the ideal working of a car. You must use good quality oil to maintain your car engine. The engine oil is responsible for lubrication, which reduces friction. Friction can cause the wearing of parts of the engine. Picking out correct engine oil is not as easy as it sounds. The various products in the market do little to help with this problem. The first step is to understand the different types of oil out there.
CONVENTIONAL OIL
This regular oil is a by-product of crude oil. The conventional oil is price friendly. They tend to contain impurities, which means they need to be changed more frequently. This type of oil is not suitable for taking long road trips.
FULL SYNTHETIC
Synthetic oils are expensive. They have fewer impurities than regular oil. These oils can withstand extreme temperature hence suitable for long trips. They are durable so require less frequent change.
SYNTHETIC BLEND
This is a blend of conventional and synthetic oil. It has the advantage of a better performance than the regular conventional oil. It also protects the engine. It is more expensive than conventional but less than synthetic. It is the perfect product if you want to switch from conventional to synthetic but at a lesser cost.
HIGHER MILEAGE
This oil contains additives that maintain older engines. These additives reduce oil leakage and smoke emission. Higher mileage oil is suitable for any vehicle that has over 75,000 miles on it. It offers better protection than conventional oil. It is also more expensive than conventional oil.
Now, we have gotten a basic understanding of the type of oil out there. Don’t worry if you are still confused on what to get. Let us take a look at some factors to consider when picking oil.
OWNER’S MANUAL
When you get a car, the first thing to do is to read the owner's manual. This will provide useful information on how to handle the car. In the manual, you will find the recommended oil for your engine. It is best if you adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendation. A modification may be necessary if you want to increase the load on the engine.
LABEL
Now that the type of oil is out of the way let’s talk labels. Please pay attention to the label on any oil before you use it. Ensure it has a logo to show its approval by API (America petroleum institute) and the society of automative Engineers (SAE). The viscosity rating is given on the label. For example, the rating is W-30. The W stands for winter while the number represents the viscosity. The higher the viscosity number, the thicker the oil.
CAR USE
How you use a car also plays a role in determining the type of oil best for its engine. Synthetic oil may be best for a car used in racing, carrying a heavy load, and traveling a long distance. Older vehicles may require high mileage oil to cover oil leaks and engine noise.
VISCOSITY
The viscosity of an oil is its resistance to flow. The thickness of oil is usually measured in zero Fahrenheit. Oil is typically thick when cool but becomes thin when the engine is running. The recommended viscosity can be found in the car’s manual. Do not be tempted to use thicker oil because it might not serve the intended purposes.
Choosing the best oil for your car is a specific process. You do not go for a type of oil because it works for your friend. The owner’s manual comes with a recommendation. This should make the decision process a lot easier. Car use, viscosity, and additives should be put into consideration when choosing a car oil. An idea of how the different types of oil work help to make an informed decision.
