What type of oil is my car supposed to use?

When you are ready for a regular oil change, it’s important that the job gets done right. It is important to understand the procedure as well as what oil should be used.

It is crucial to choose the best oil for your vehicle in order to maintain its performance and longevity. But it is not always easy to identify the right oil for your vehicle.

This post is designed to help you understand the basics and give easy suggestions so that your car has the best oil. This blog post will also provide information on when each oil should be used.

Which type of oil should my car use?

It is important to understand the required viscosity before choosing oil for your vehicle. It is also important to determine the best oil for your engine, and what additives might be available. Make sure the oil you use matches what’s recommended by the manufacturer. 

The easiest way to find the right type of oil for your car is to check the oil specifications in your owner’s manual. Online auto parts stores and anonymous shops are also available. oil manufacturer’s website They will usually recommend the best type of motor oil to your car if you provide your VIN number and license plate numbers.

However, the most reliable and safest way is to check either in the owner’s manual or ask your local dealer directly.

RELATED: What Oil Do My Cars Need?

The Right Engine Oil

1. Oil viscosity

The oil viscosity is the amount of liquid in the product. It’s the most important factor when you are choosing the right type. Viscosity is a measure of how well the oil will flow at various temperatures. Engine oil becomes less viscous as it heats up. Oil that has been cold will thicken. While thicker oils are more effective at lubricating the engine, it is sometimes harder to transfer the oil. Thinner oil flows better but doesn’t offer as much protection. 

The engine oil viscosity is written in the following format – #W-##. These numbers indicate the oil's viscosity, and the W is for winter. 5W-30, for example, indicates that the oil is less viscous at low temperatures than 10W-30. You can find the number after W to determine how thick oil is at normal operating engine temperature. 

5W-30, 10W-40 and 10W-40 are most frequently used. They work in all conditions. You might choose to use 0W-30 for sub-zero temperatures and 15W40 for hot or humid environments. The characters SAE (society for automotive engineers) will be found. You can find more information here.

RELATED: 0w20 vs. 5w20 vs. 5w30 – Oil Viscosity Explained

2. Types of oil

The most common type of motor oil available is conventional. It’s been the regular oil type for many decades. If you're looking for a low-cost oil type, it can be used on any late-model or light-duty car. 

You can also choose to use full synthetic oil. They are designed to increase lubrication, oxidation protection and other functions. You could even prevent the buildup of sludge. However, it’s the most expensive option during an oil change. This added expense often allows you to go longer between oil changes. 

If you don’t want to spend that much money, you might prefer a synthetic blend oil. Although synthetic blend motor oils have some characteristics that are fully synthetic, the cost of synthetic-blend oil is slightly less than full synthetic. However, the synthetic-blend engine oil has a mixture of traditional base oils which allows it to retain some of its best features. It’s a good middle-ground option if you want to transition from conventional to synthetic. It is best to always use the oil recommended by the manufacturer.

For vehicles that have more than 75,000 mile on their odometer, high-mileage oil can be used. High mileage oil has been specifically engineered to decrease oil loss or seepage in high-mileage engines. This oil can also be used to reduce oil consumption, and produce less smoke. 

RELATED: Synthetic blend vs full synthetic oil (Which one to use?)

3. Additives

You have many options for additives to oil. Make sure you know which ones you're using. Oils may contain antioxidants that slow down the process of oil oxidation. To protect internal parts from high temperatures, anti-wear agents may be added.

Dispersants prevent deposits from building up, and detergents reduce the amount of oil that can be deposited. With foam inhibitors, the motor oil won’t form as many bubbles. 

When the engine is under extreme temperatures, pulling heavy loads or when it has to work at high speeds, friction modifiers can reduce friction. In order to reduce the wear caused by moisture, it is important that rust- and corrosion inhibitors be used. Viscosity index improvers can be added to oil. These additives ensure that engine oils perform well in all temperatures. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing oil

1. Climate

Although you need to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, it is important that you consider the climate. A majority of oil types will work in all temperatures.

A viscosity of 10W-40 is better suited for hot climates. Cooler climates will require something thinner, like 5W-30.

2. Caring Habits

A different type oil is recommended for high-performance cars that are driven to the limits. You will see your engine work harder when you go off-road and tow frequently. Oil with specific additives is a good idea. However, oil needs to be changed more often. 

If you only drive short distances you might not need to allow your car.’Allow the engine to reach normal operating temperatures. This can lead to more condensation in your engine. It will also cause higher levels of sludge and emissions. These conditions are why you need to be careful about what oil additives you use. You want something that can break down the sludge and prevent corrosion. 

3. Age of your engine

Modern vehicles have different engine standards. This thinner oil is recommended for high-rev multi-valve engines. If the oil is too thin, it could cause engine damage. For older engines, thicker oils are required to provide the proper oil pressure for internal parts. 

You might also consider using high-mileage oil for older engines. They can offer more protection and help you to keep the engine going longer. 

Are there ways to mix different types of oil?

While you can mix oil types, it doesn’t mean that you should. Mixing different oil types will only lead to money being wasted. When you add full synthetic motor oil to your conventional oil, you don’t extend the life of the oil. You will need to change it as though it were all regular oil. This means that you have thrown away the high quality synthetic oil. 

The synthetic blend isn’t just conventional mixed with synthetic. The synthetic blend has been specially designed to provide better engine protection from the elements and driving conditions. 

How often should oil change?

It is possible that your oil needs to be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles. Some newer models can go a little longer between oil changes, so reference the service manual to determine what’s best. 

However, the average engine running synthetic oil doesn’t require an oil change for 6,000 or more miles. It is possible to go for up to 6 months without needing an oil change. This saves you time and money. Although synthetic oil may cost more upfront, it is cheaper to change your oil less often. 

Don’t forget to change your oil filter when you change the oil. A contaminated oil filter can cause oil to be less effective if it is left in place.