Sometimes it can be difficult to choose the right oil for your car. There are several things to take into consideration when you are choosing an oil. Many new cars have recommendations from the manufacturer in their owner’s manuals. If you do not have an owner’s manual for your car, there are some general guidelines that may help you choose the correct oil for your car. The weather conditions can also have an impact on the oil that you choose.
Traditional Weight Oils
Traditional weight oils have been used for decades to keep all kinds of car engines running smoothly. They are organic, petroleum based products that have an excellent viscosity rating to keep your engine’s parts well lubricated when the engine becomes warm while it is running. Almost any type of combustion engine can operate perfectly well with a traditional oil. There are several typical oil weights that you will find when you shop at an auto parts store. In general, the higher numbers mean that the oil is a heavier oil. Heavier oils are thicker than lighter oils. Each weight is better for specific weather conditions and engine types.
When to use a Heavier Oil
If you have a car with a standard engine, you will want to use either a 10/40 or a 25/30 weight oil during most of the year. These oil weights are designed to continue providing good lubrication for your engine when it is running at a normal temperature. Heavier oils are also good to use when it is extremely hot outside because they will thin out as they pass through the engine. If you use an oil that is too light when the weather is hot you run the risk of your engine becoming overheated quickly.
When to use a Lighter Oil
Lighter oils can be used when the weather is extremely cold. Many people switch to a 10/30 during the winter months to give their engines better protection. When the weather is cold, the oil will not thin out as much. That means that if you have a heavier weight oil running during cold weather it will have a more difficult time passing through your engine before the car is warmed up. A lighter oil provides you with an easier warm up that protects your car’s engine as soon as you turn on the car.
Synthetic Oils
Many brand new cars recommend that you only use a synthetic oil for their engines. Synthetic oils are made of chemicals that have been combined in a laboratory setting to provide the maximum lubrication for car engines. Synthetic oil tends to stay cleaner longer, which helps it maintain a good quality for your engine longer. Synthetic oil also breaks down more slowly, which means that you will not have to change your oil as often as you would if you used a traditional oil. The only problem with synthetic oil options is that they are more expensive than traditional oil options. Not all synthetics are the same, either. Read the label carefully to make sure the synthetic you plan to use is right for your car.
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