Choosing The Right Oil For Your Car

Taking your car in for regular oil changes is one way to prolong the life of the engine. Another way is to choose the right oil for your car. The time of year, age of the car and the type of driving you do all factor into which oil to put into the car. Here are your choices for motor oil and how each one might benefit your car.

Conventional Motor Oil

This is the standard oil used in cars for decades. It is based on organic materials brought up out of the ground and processed to create the smooth lubricant used in engines of all types. These oils come in different viscosities to protect the engine as the seasons change. You'll want a thinner oil in the winter and thicker oil in the summer to continue protecting your engine at hot and cold temperatures. Organic oils break down easily and can leave a residue in your engine.

Full Synthetic Oil

The high performance engines on luxury cars are made with the latest materials and with the highest precision. These engines need the protection of a fully synthetic lubricant. These oils contain no organic materials and leave no residue in the engine. They keep their viscosity at the high temperatures at which these engines operate. Synthetic oils are the most expensive of the motor oils available.

Synthetic Blends

This is a blend of synthetic and organic oils to produce a lubricant effective in older engines. These are also good oils to use if you drive a heavy vehicle or pull heavy loads with your car. These oils maintain their viscosity through a wide range of temperatures. They are priced midway between conventional and full synthetic oils.

High-Mileage Oils

As a car ages, the engine components become looser with more space between parts to keep lubricated. High-mileage oils fill those gaps to keep the engine cool and running smoothly. They will also quiet some of the rattles often heard in older engines. These oils are similar in price to the blends.

Motor Oil Additives

There are a variety of products that you can add to your oil. Modern oils for your car already contain many additives to protect the engine. Only in special cases might you choose to include an additive. For example, an older car with a lot of oil residue or rust in the engine may benefit from additives that help clean the engine and prevent rust. Talk with the auto shop technician about additives they would recommend for your car the next time you have an oil change.  


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