With so many options for engine oil out there, it becomes a daunting task to choose the right engine oil for your car. There is a different kind of information and news about the engine oil, but the best option for you is to see your car’s manual. The owner’s manual for your car will list its recommended oil weight, whether that’s a standard format like 10W-30 or something more unusual. To get the best service for your car come to European car repair Mississauga and get the engine oil replaced by experts.
The numbers present on the engine oil refers to the level of viscosity in it and you should then adjust the weight and type for the seasons which you will experience throughout the year. However, let’s take a look at the type of engine oils present in the market from which you can choose one for your car.
Table of Contents
Type of Engine Oil
The three types of engine oils are listed below:
- Mineral Oils
- Semi-Synthetic Oil
- Synthetic Oil
Mineral Oils
This oil is obtained by refining petroleum and they are general used on conventional engines usually the older models without a turbocharger. These oils are thicker than synthetic or semi-synthetic oils and they are recommended for all those cities and areas which have high temperatures. Moreover, the oxidation stability of these oils is lower than the other two engine oils and they are also needed to be changed more frequently than other oils. One of the best advantages of this oil is that they come at a low price.
Semi-synthetic Oils
These oils are a blend of mineral and synthetic oil. You can improve the performance and protection of your engine through this oil. Moreover, they come at a good price and you do not have to change this oil that frequently as you would have changed mineral oil.
Synthetic Oils
These oils are specifically modified to increase the performance of the engine and mileage of the car. Moreover, this oil also contains lesser impurities as compared to the mineral oils and that is why they have better quality. This kind of oil is designed for high-performance engines such as the ones which have a turbocharger inside them or for motorsports. Moreover, these oils are great for colder climates as they can provide amazing service without affecting performance.
Check the Viscosity Grade
There are some codes and numbers on the packaging of the oil bottle and this might confuse you a bit. These codes and numbers indicate the viscosity grade which is a measurement of the oil’s resistance to flow. It is an important factor to consider along with the climate and driving conditions.
There are usually two numbers written on the oil bottle; the first ends with the letter W which stands for winter. This tells how the oil will be flowing in the winter season and the second number shows how can oil flows at a normal temperature.
Thin, low viscosity oils flow easier to protect engine parts at a colder temperature. Thick, high viscosity oils are typically better at maintaining film strength to protect engines at higher temperatures. You can find the right viscosity for your vehicle by looking at the oil cap or in the owner’s manual.
How to see the oil standards?
If you look closer at the label, you will get to see some other stuff written on the oil bottle, such as API, ACEA, ILSAC, etc. If something like this is written on the oil bottle, that means, this particular product fulfils the requirements which are set by these organizations. These specifications are important because they indicate the performance and quality of the oil. The two famous oil standards with brief detail are listed below:
API:
The standard classifies the product according to the performance, protection against wear and oxidation and fuel economy of the oil. There are usually two letters in this standard, one represents the style of the engine and then there is another letter that indicates the engine’s oil performance. The higher the letter in the alphabet, the higher the performance will be provided by the engine oil.
ACEA:
The ACEA stands for European Automobile Manufacturers Association. It also consists of letters and number that can tell the quality and performance of the oil for any vehicle. The alphabetic letters indicate the type of engine in which that oil would be used and the number indicates the performance or quality of that oil.
Conclusion
You can follow the above-given standards and instructions when you go out to the market to buy engine oil for your vehicle. Read the article properly so that you get an idea what are the prerequisites of buying engine oil. Moreover, you can also read the car manual which can tell you what else is required in this whole right engine oil process.
