How To Choose Motor Oil

Posted: Aug 23, 2009 |Comments: 0 |

Motor oil is essential to the performance and function of a vehicle. Choosing the right type of oil for your car can be a difficult decision. There are three things you should consider when picking the type of oil you want: thickness, grade, and type.

The thickness affects how the engine performs. Older cars tend to be worn down, and thin oil will cause more friction between parts. This causes the car to wear out faster than normal. Thicker oil is better as your car ages, but thick oil can make it harder for your car to cope with cold conditions.

It is difficult for a car to warm up with thick oil because the oil tends to move slowly throughout the vehicle. The best way to get the most out of your motor oil is to check that the oil is a multi-viscosity type. Multi-viscosity oil can be thick or thin when it needs to.

A car owner should also consider the grade of the oil. Oil with a higher number is thicker. While the numbers go up to seventy, newer cars run better with 5W30 in them. This means that the oil has a viscosity of 5 in cold weather and 30 in warm. For older cars, 10W20 or 10W30 is recommended. It causes less friction even during cold weather on the car parts.

There are three types of oil to consider for your vehicle: conventional, synthetic, and synthetic blend. Conventional is cheaper, but will not last as long, especially when constantly exposed to high temperatures. If you do a lot of traveling, it may be better for you to go with one of the other types. Synthetic is the most expensive, but it works the best. It is able to withstand most temperatures and it helps the car perform at its best. A synthetic blend mixes both types for better oil that costs less. It falls somewhere in the middle between synthetic and conventional. This type is best for those who are trying to save some money.

Keep in mind that your car's owner's manual will be most helpful in recommending which type of oil works best for your car. If you don't have a manual, or you are still unsure, ask your local mechanic or auto parts store what they would recommend.

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