The Best Engine Oil By Vehicle Type: Engine Oil Guide

With all the options out there, selecting the best engine oil can be a daunting task. There is a lot of information that you need to know about different types of oil. And the first step of choosing the right kind of oil is to check out the manual.

In your vehicle’s owner manual, you will find recommended oil and ensure that you get the same oil weight. When looking for that type of oil, choose a brand that has a stardust symbol.

It implies that the American Petroleum Institute has checked the quality of the oil. The latest service standard of API is “SL,” which denotes a group engine and laboratory tests that encompass the latest module for control of higher temperature deposits.

Viscosity

Viscosity implies the oil’s resistance to flow. In terms of engine oil, it’s rated at 0-degree F and symbolized by the preceding with a letter “W.’ Additionally, it is also rated at 212-degree F that signifies second viscosity number.

When the engine heats, oils tend to thin, whereas it thickens when it cools. When the right additives are added, it helps in avoiding the extreme thinning of the oil. The more resistant an oil is to be thinning, the higher will be the second number. Oil thickness in an adequate amount allows the fluid to be sealed better to provide effective lubrication.

However, oil also needs to be thickness resistant so that it can flow easily to all parts of the engine in lower temperatures. Moreover, if the oil becomes too thick, more energy will be required to turn the crankshaft, which is mostly covered in oil.

Thick oil will make it harder to start the engine, thereby reducing the fuel economy. During winter, it is recommended to go for oils with 5W.

Being Aware of the Labels

Generally, you will come across two types of labels touting – “For Gasoline Engine” and “API SERVICE SW” marks the latter one ensures whether or not the oil complies with the latest SL service rating.

It also comes with the Society of Automotive Engineers or SAE viscosity number, ascertaining that the oil has been through the Energy Conserving test. The stardust symbol indicates that the oil had passed the tests required for SL service.

Types of Engine Oil

• Premium Conventional Oil

It is a standard oil used in new cars and is available in different viscosities. If you live in lower temperatures, it is recommended to choose between 5W-30 or 5W-20 oil, whereas 10W-30 is suggested for higher temperatures.

• Synthetic Oil

It is designed to suit the high-tech engines. These oil offer better flow through engine parts at lower temperatures and offer adequate lubricity at high temperatures. But these oils come with heavy price tags, and not every engine essentially needs synthetic oil.

• Synthetic Blend oil

It is synthetic oil combined with conventional oil to render protection to vehicles carrying heavier loads or operating in higher temperatures. These oils are less volatile; therefore, they evaporate comparatively less, thereby reducing the oil loss and increasing the fuel economy.

Different types of engine oils are designed to offer specific functions. Therefore, when it comes to choosing the best engine oil, always adhere to what the manual recommends and choose a quality engine brand.