Automotive: How Do You Know Which Oil is Best For Your Car?

Vehicle engines require oil for several different reasons. Oil prevents wear and tear by protecting metal surfaces from rubbing against one another. If dust and grit get into your engine, oil will carry away this debris and reduce the risk of damage. To make sure your engine is kept in great shape, review the tips below.

Start With Your Manual

The manufacturer may recommend a brand for best results. Your manual can also give you a recommended viscosity.

Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil. If you live in a cold country, your manual or mechanic may recommend changing to a lower viscosity oil before winter. Cold conventional oil is thicker and will provide less protection until the engine warms up.

Your manual may also recommend a synthetic oil rather than a conventional oil. Synthetics are less limited by extreme temperatures, so an October oil change to a lower-viscosity oil may not be necessary.

If you find that your vehicle is low on oil and you want to add to it but don’t have synthetic available, you can add conventional oil. There are no dangers in mixing synthetic and conventional oils.

Pay Attention to Temperature

Even the best oils can break down if exposed to very high heat for extended periods of time. If you’re planning a long road trip and will need an oil change when you get home, go ahead and get the oil change done before you travel.

Drivers tend to think of the radiator as the only part of the car that keeps things cool. However, the oil that pumps through your engine, lubricating metal parts and carrying away debris and grit, also contributes to cooling. When your oil is old, it may be loaded with excess debris or start to break down under extreme heat.

This breaking down of oil can leave a product known as “varnish” on the metal components of your engine. Varnish means that seals don’t quite fit; metal pistons that once fit snugly may now have gaps that waste fuel, and oil, and lead to more heat build-up.

You’re always safest to get your oil changed a bit early. Again, review your manual and take a look at the calendar and temperature recommendations.

Focus on Your Filter

The debris and gunk carried away by your engine oil will eventually become trapped in the filter. If you’re just adding oil when it’s low but never getting the filter changed, you’re putting your engine in grave danger.

A clogged filter can put your oil pump at risk. If your oil pump fails, it can lead to the same conditions as running your car with no oil at all. For those hoping to save money by changing their own oil, review your manual and purchase both a filter and enough oil to refill your oil reservoir.

Once you’ve installed the new filter and added fresh oil, let your car rest for a bit. DIY oil changes can fail for a couple of reasons. If you don’t get the plugin tight enough, oil will leak from the pan. If you don’t get the filter on tight enough, oil will leak around the filter. Putting a piece of fresh cardboard under your car overnight is a good way to make sure everything is properly sealed up before you drive away.

Consider How Many Miles You Have On Your Car

An engine that has a lot of miles on it may benefit from high-mileage oil. These oils are loaded with additives that can actually reinvigorate an older engine. For example, these oils feature seal conditioners.

The seals and gaskets in your vehicle are made of soft, flexible materials. Time and heat can leave these seals brittle; if a seal cracks or fails, you can have a serious engine repair bill. Once you have 75,000 miles on an engine, changing to a high-mileage oil may be one of the simplest ways to protect your engine for the next 75,000 miles.

Regular oil changes are an investment in your vehicle. Don’t let this crucial maintenance fall off the schedule! Check your oil once a month and get it changed as recommended by your manual and mechanic.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Best Oil