Choosing The Right Oil For Your Car: Understanding The Different Kinds

Choosing The Right Oil For Your Car: Understanding The Different Kinds

Choosing The Right Oil For Your Car: Understanding The Different Kinds

Lucy Wyndham
15 October 2020

Did you know one-third of drivers don't choose the right oil for their cars? That is according to a recent survey by Coopers Tires. Another 50 percent of drivers are not confident that they can change their car’s engine oil themselves, or that they know the kind of oil they need. However, making the wrong choice of engine oil when you are servicing your car can seriously harm your car’s performance and put your safety at risk. From damaging your car’s fuel economy (and your fuel budget) to shortening your car’s engine life, here are the different kinds of engine oils out there, and what to look for when changing yours.

Conventional Motor Oil

Since 1866, conventional motor oil has been commonly found in most new cars. Automakers recommend changing your oil every 4,000 miles with conventional motor oil or at least twice a year. Produced directly from crude oil, conventional motor oils are known to breakdown quicker. They can also leave deposits on your engine, particularly if your engine is used for a long time.

Full Synthetic Motor Oils

If you use your vehicle for heavy-duty activities, you may want to use synthetic oil for your engine. They come with higher breakdown resistance which means it takes them longer to lose their viscosity. The additional strain that hauling or heavy-duty use puts on your engine can cause quicker wear and tear. With friction-reducing and other additives, synthetic engine oil can slow this process and give you more mileage before oil changes. However, experts still recommended sticking to the manufacturer’s oil change intervals, which is about every 6months. Synthetic oils are also less likely to cause sludge buildup- a common issue in older cars.

Synthetic Blend Oils

Synthetic blend oils are formulated to provide additional protection for engines that have higher temperatures or heavier engine loads. Made with a synthetic base and mineral oil, the use of a synthetic blend oil can improve fuel economy and protection from corrosion. They tend to be ideal for SUVs or larger vehicles as they are specially aimed at protecting against additional stress on the engine.

What To Look For In An Engine Oil

According to Consumer Report.org, a key thing to look for when choosing an engine oil is its thickness or viscosity. The most reliable source of information when determining the best engine oil for your car is your owner’s manual. Drivers also need to consider the kind of climate they will be driving in. Hot or humid climates like the summer season require an engine oil with a viscosity of 30W or higher. This viscosity is not too thin and therefore, reduces wear and tear or friction.

However, choosing an engine oil that is too thick can also lead to dragging. You should also look for an oil approved by American Petroleum Association standards. The Association recommends different performance levels for different kinds of engines. For instance, drivers looking for the ideal engine lubricant for compression ignition cars should aim for diesel oils with a viscosity of 15W40 or 5W40.

Finally, the age and model of your car will also impact your choice of engine oil. High performance or racing cars are designed to operate under extremely stressful conditions, which puts increased pressure on the engine. As a result, the choice of engine oil for race cars focuses less on long oil life or fuel economy and more on additional engine oil anti-wear protection like Molybdenum Di-alkyl Di-Thio Carbamate, which reduces friction. The most commonly used engine oil viscosity for racing cars is 10W-60 but for a regular car, it tends to be 10W-30.

Lastly, know the signs of when it is time to change your engine oil. Exhaust smoke, engine oil indicators or engine noise may all be pointing towards an oil change. Keeping up with regular oil changes and making the right choice can keep your car’s performance running smoothly for longer.