Your car will run more efficiently if you choose the right motor oil for it by buying synthetic engine oil. But, how do you find the right motor or engine oil for your car? Moreover, how do you choose between the different kinds of motor oils, and what impact will your decision have on the output of your engine? I answer all this and more in this guide on the most important things to consider when buying engine oil for your car.
The Steps in Buying Synthetic Engine Oil for Your Vehicle
Different kinds of engine oil are available on the market for different vehicles and purpose. Pricing should not be the deciding factor when you are looking for the right type of engine oil for your car. Instead, you should go through the following steps to find the engine oil that is best suited for your vehicle’s engine.
Look in the Owner’s Manual
Give all the engine oil choices out there, it can be challenging to find the right motor oil for your vehicle. There is a lot of information on the different motor oil options and this can confuse you. However, you can avoid this by simply looking in the owner’s manual of your vehicle.
Whether it’s a common type like 10W-30 or something more unique, your vehicle’s owner manual will list its prescribed oil weight. This represents the thickness or viscosity of the oil that you are recommended to use. For the different weather conditions and your intended use of the vehicle, you should adapt the weight and form. The owner’s manual contains some other important information as well that you will help you choose the right engine oil for your vehicle.
Check the Oil Classification Codes
Another important thing to do when buying synthetic engine oil for your vehicle is reading the labels on the container to check the oil’s classification codes. If you’re in the U.S, look for the American Petroleum Institute (API) mark. This mark indicates that the oil is certified for use in automobile engines by API. Why is this important? It is important because it shows that the oil meets the fuel economy specifications and protection standard for your vehicle’s engine set by the international lubricant standardization and approval committee (ILSAC).
Consider the Different Types of Motor Oil
Another important step in choosing the right engine oil for your vehicle is considering the different types of motor oil available today. There are four major types of motor oil: conventional oil, synthetic oil, synthetic blend oil, and high-mileage oil. The following is a brief introduction to each of these engine oil types.
Conventional Oil
The oil that is used by most owners of older vehicles, conventional motor oil is obtained by refining crude oil or petroleum. The best thing about this type of motor oil is its price: it is highly affordable. However, the cheap price of conventional oil is because this oil is not free from impurities and performs poorly at extreme temperatures.
Synthetic Oil
To produce more standardized molecules with very few impurities, synthetic oil is passed through several chemically engineered phases. This allows synthetic oil to perform much better than conventional oil at both low and high temperatures. Ultimately, this makes synthetic oil suitable for automobiles that are expected to perform optimally. The best thing about synthetic oil is that it’s compatible with most modern engines. However, the price of some of the best synthetic engine oil brands may scare some vehicle owners away.
Synthetic Blend Oil
As the name suggests, the synthetic blend is a mixture of two things—it combines synthetic engine oil with conventional oil. If you are looking to make the transition from conventional oil to full synthetic oil, then synthetic blend oil would be a good place to start. It will allow you to experience some of the benefits of full synthetic oil without burdening your wallet too much.
Once you are familiar with the benefits of full synthetic oil, you can make an informed decision about whether to make the switch to it or not. While synthetic blend oil will definitely give you more than conventional oil, it is not quite the same thing as full synthetic oil and it will cost you much more than conventional oil.
High-Mileage Oil
This engine oil has been specifically formulated for vehicles that have run for at least 75000 miles. The high-mileage oil ensures the longevity of older engines through additives like seal conditioners. Not only do these additives boots engine performance, but they also prevent leaks and restore seals. The best thing about using high-mileage oil is its ability to minimize oil seepage, leaks, and oil consumption in older vehicles; this helps to keep the vehicle running for longer.
High-mileage oil is comparable to conventional oil since both are targeted towards owners of older vehicles. While high-mileage oil contains additives that ensure greater protection of older engines, conventional oil is cheaper and performs reasonably well.
Check the Viscosity Ratings
The next most important step is checking the viscosity ratings of engine oil to ensure it meets the recommended viscosity ratings for your vehicle. The resistance of oil to flow or the speed with which the oil flows is referred to as its viscosity. This is one of the most important factors for identifying and rating.
There are two types of engine oil: single viscosity and multi-viscosity. Multi-viscosity oil is compatible with most vehicles today. However, the same cannot be said about single viscosity oil. The lower the viscosity rating, the more easily the engine oil is likely to flow. Look in your owner’s manual to find the recommended viscosity rating for your vehicle.
Look for Oil Additives
The fifth and final step in choosing the right engine oil for your vehicle is looking for oil additives. This is important because the presence of additives in synthetic engine oil helps to maintain and improve the performance of the oil. High temperatures of the engine mix with by-products of combustion (such as unburned fuel), moisture, oxidation, rot, debris from engine wear, and oxygen to create sediment and lacquer that can join together and destroy the engine. Additives help preserve optimal lubrication by reducing sediment and lacquer.
Final Word on Buying Synthetic Engine Oil
Making the right choice can be difficult when buying synthetic engine oil for your vehicle (read more detailed comparison of the best synthetic oils). However, you can increase your chances of success by going through the above-mentioned steps. After you go through these steps, you will have a much greater chance of finding the right engine oil for your vehicle.
