If you’re a new driver or someone that does not know that much about cars, you may have this question, “what’s the best type of oil to put in my car?” Considering all the different options of oil available to you. It can be tricky picking the best option.
Now, before you start buying anything, the first thing you should do is pull out your owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual has useful information, including what oil is best suited for your car. The owner’s manual will list the recommended oil weight for your vehicle. Oil weight is the viscosity of an oil, which means how well the oil flows at a particular temperature. The Oil weight determines how well the oil affects internal engine components and protects against heat and friction. These are the following types of oil you can choose from (Conventional Oil, Synthetic Oil, Synthetic Blend Oil, and High Mileage Oil).
Starting with conventional oil, this form of oil is made from fossil fuels and is also known as “mineral oil.” Conventional oil works as an excellent lubricant and can create good quality gasoline products. One of the benefits of using mineral oil is the lower cost. Using mineral oil is more cost-effective than using synthetic oil. Conventional oil is also better for older vehicles with older engines. Older engines also physically benefit from the usage of traditional oil. The slower flow of mineral oil creates better lubrication for aging engines reducing the chance of grinding gears.
Synthetic oil is a synthetic lubricant containing more highly refined base oils than conventional mineral oils. Synthetic oil flows smoothly in cold weather, making it highly resistant to viscosity breakdown. This synthetic lubricant provides additional protection and increases the engine’s performance. Synthetic oil is widely considered ideal for high-performance vehicles. Synthetic oil has a higher viscosity index, which gives synthetic oil a broad temperature range. However, there is a downside to using synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil.
Next, there is synthetic blend oil. This type of oil is a mixture of conventional and synthetic oil. Synthetic blend oil is not the most expensive option for oil. The lower price is the main reason people choose synthetic blend oil over completely synthetic oil. If you have an interest in transitioning from conventional oil to synthetic oil, this is an excellent place to start. Keep in mind that synthetic blend oil is less refined than full synthetic oil.
Then, there’s high mileage oil. If your vehicle has over 75,000 miles on it, using high mileage oil is an excellent option for you. There are also additives like seal conditioners designed to help older engines run longer. Vehicles with older engines benefit from high mileage oil. For newer cars, high mileage oil is usually not the best choice. High mileage oil also reduces oil consumption, minimize leaks, and oil seepage.
Now that you have a better understanding of the different oil options. You will be able to choose what oil will be best for your vehicle and your needs.