The car is probably the most important equipment modern American families need. It is no longer considered a luxury commodity today but a necessity. In fact, 95% of American households own a car. As a car owner you should take good care of your vehicle to allow it to deliver its best at the least possible cost.
When you’re buying motor oil for your car, you can be confronted with lots of choices. Aside from the different types which include organic, synthetic and semi-synthetic, motor oils are endorsed by different brands with each one having different specifications. The task can really get overwhelming even if you ask for opinions from car enthusiasts simply because they have differing outlooks about this matter.
So how would you simplify this? To be able to pick the right motor oil for your car, here are practical tips you can consider:
There’s a Recommended Oil for Your Car
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Each car brand and model has a recommended type of motor oil. It is the one recommended by the manufacturer in your owner’s manual. This should be the type you should buy. They manual will most probably describe a lot of specs like the winter and summer weight of the oil, its viscosity and other important things like organic or synthetic.
Proper operation and maintenance is actually the most important reasons why you need to have an owner’s manual for your car. So if you don’t have one now, you should buy either from your dealership or from Amazon or eBay.
In Emergency Cases, Any Type of Oil will Actually Do
If you just realize that you car is running low on oil, you have this tendency to get panicky yet confused on what type of oil to use. Well, if your engine oil is on a critical level, you can actually use any type as a filler until your dipstick tells you that your oil level is within the normal range. In emergency situations, having the right amount of oil is more important than getting the right type of oil. This is the principle accepted by any prominent professional car shop like the Subaru shop near me.
Once you have bailed your car out of the emergency situation, find time to figure out why you’re losing oil and get an oil change, the sooner the better.
Understand the Numbers on the Label
Oil is measured normally by weight. This is the number reflected on the container. It is usually expressed as a number followed by a letter (“W”), a dash (-) and another number. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil during cold starts, the “W” means winter and the second number is the viscosity of the oil at 100°C. In most cases, it is also the car’s normal operating temperature.
Most manufacturers recommend thicker oils during extremely hot summers and thinner oils when the temperature is exceptionally low. But for what its worth, you should heed the recommendation of your car’s manufacturer. They are your best reference as far as your car is concerned.
There are car owners who prefer thicker oils when their vehicle produces unusual noise. This can mask the sound but it doesn’t really solve the problem. When this happens to your car, you must address the problem before it gets worse. Any unusual noise produced by a running car motor is a manifestation of a serious problem that needs immediate attention.
Synthetic vs. Organic
The use of synthetic vs. organic motor oil has sparked a debate that’s been going on for decades. While plenty of car professionals assert that synthetic oil offers better engine protection and longer oil life, it also comes at a higher cost. Cost conscious car enthusiasts on the other hand say that organic oils can offer the same level of engine protection, only their useful life is shorter but they are a bit cheaper.
The use of synthetic or organic motor oil can actually depend on the conditions your vehicle may be exposed to. If your car is exposed to extreme conditions like heavy towing or frequent starts in extremely cold weather conditions, synthetic oils are certainly better, but if your car is operating under normal conditions, organic oil can still deliver similar results.
If you use synthetic oil under normal conditions, your need for oil change will be reduced because it breaks down more slowly than organic oils. If your manufacturer recommends synthetic, then use it. If it doesn’t, you may use organic oil, get similar results, and save a few bucks in the process.
Changing Oil
All car owners are duty bound to change the motor oil of their cars. The question is how often should you do it? The answer is: Change oil according to your manufacturer’s recommendations, the most common of which is an oil change for every 5,000 miles.
Getting the Most from Your Oil
If you want to measure the extent to which your oil can be useful, send your used engine oil to a reputable oil analysis laboratory. Their report will tell you if it still contains the lubricants needed to keep your motor running safely and for how long. This can also help you to make informed decisions about maximizing your oil.
The lab analysis report will also tell you of the presence of any foreign substances or particles that can signify possible engine failure.
These are the most important factors you need to look into when determining motor oil for your car. Brands don’t really matter. Just be sure to to get the right specs recommended by your manufacturer and you’re good to go.
