With so many motor oil options filling the shelves of auto supply stores, it can be difficult to know which kind of lubricant is right for your vehicle. There are specific determining characteristics that will help make it easier to figure out which motor oil is best for your car.
What is Viscosity?
The viscosity of motor oil refers to the oil’s resistance to flow. Generally speaking, motor oil with a higher grade of viscosity will be thicker, flow slower and is referred to as “heavy” oil. Oil with a lower viscosity will be thinner and flow faster. The viscosity will be labeled on motor oil with a grade number known as the oil’s weight. Your car’s owner’s manual will indicate the viscosity grade recommended for your engine. Older engines often require a higher level of viscosity than the owners’ manual indicates. This is due to the wear and tear on the engine’s moving parts which leads to an increased need for thicker oil as lubrication.
Temperature
If you drive in cold weather, you should look for motor oil with a “W” listed after its viscosity grade. This kind of motor oil will resist thickening in colder weather. Motor oil which is not meant for cold temperatures will thicken and create friction in your engine which contributes to premature engine wear. There are also multi-viscosity motor oils which are designed to adapt to various temperatures and actually flow better in colder conditions.
Conventional Vs. Synthetic
Once you know the viscosity grade that is best for your car, you need to determine whether you should purchase conventional or synthetic motor oil. Conventional motor oil is an organic lubricant that often costs much less than its synthetic counterpart. Synthetic motor oil is substantially more expensive due to its higher performance level and longer life. You can also choose a synthetic blend, which is a mixture of conventional and synthetic motor oils. Blends are less expensive than synthetic lubricant without sacrificing much of the performance quality.
When choosing between the wealth of different motor oils, keep in mind the recommendations made by your car’s manufacturer. Mechanics and other automobile professionals can also clear up any confusion.
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