Getting an oil change in the car seems like a simple job, until the mechanic asks what type of oil you would like to use. It may not seem possible, but there are many different types of oil for vehicles. Moreover, it does matter which one you put into the car. Each vehicle rolls out of the manufacture with oil in place in the engine. Each vehicle comes with a manufacture’s vehicle manual, which explains the type of oil the vehicle needs. It is a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s suggestion and stick with the type of oil they recommend helping the vehicle run well for a long time.
When choosing the right oil you need to consider the distance driven, fast or slow speeds, and the climate (salty sea air, hot dry air, etc.) All of these determine what kind of oil you need for your car as well as what the manufacturer recommends. Oil comes in different weights. For example, compact vehicles may require lightweight oils while larger vehicles may require heavier weight oil. The weight of the oil will look something like this: 10W-30 or 10W-40. W means winter. The number before the W is the measure of temperature the oil remains fluid. The second number is for warm temperatures. So the lower the first number, the colder the temperatures the oil remains fluid. The second number indicates the warmer the temperatures the oil remains thick.
First, consider the time of year and the climate in your area. A harsh winter environment will need a lower W – like 5W. If the climate is warm or hot, the second number needs to be in the 30 to 40 range. If the climate is mile, a 10W-20 works well. The owner’s manual will have suggestions for these types of environment. If the owner’s manual is missing, call the dealership where your vehicle model is sold new and ask them for recommendations.
There are two choices in oil aside from weight and those are synthetic or conventional. Synthetic oils are manmade and work very well under extreme (especially hot) temperatures. Their lubrication lasts. Conventional oils come from nature, crude oil. Crude oil does not hold up well under hot temperatures and requires more frequent oil changes. Synthetic oils cost more than conventional oils, which is why so many still prefer the natural crude oils to the manmade kind.