Not All Oils Are Alike For Your Car

When you take your car in for an oil change service, the technician may recommend a specific type of oil for your car. The age of your car and how you drive it determines the best oil to use. While the standard oil used by most auto shops will work fine in your car, you may get better results by using one of the other specialty oils.

Conventional Oil

This has been the standard in the automobile industry for years. This oil is made from organic materials and has gone through a number of filtration steps to create a smooth product free from contaminates. This oil comes in different viscosities to protect your car's engine at various temperature extremes. The viscosity of the oil changes little from season to season which is why you might choose a lighter weight oil in the winter and a heavy oil in the summer. Organic oils do tend to break down quickly and can leave a residue that builds up in the engine.

Full Synthetic Oil

This is a man-made product containing no organic materials. It was developed to support the engines in luxury and high-performance cars, which are made with the latest materials and with a higher precision. These engines operate at higher temperatures and need the protection of a synthetic oil. These oils don't break down as quickly at high temperatures and leave less residue in the engine. These are also the most expensive oils available.

Synthetic Blends

These oils combine organic materials with man-made materials to create an oil used in large vehicles and those that pull heavy loads. These engines heat up quickly and need the lubrication that the blends offer. These oils maintain their viscosity through consistently high engine temperatures. These oils are also less expensive than full synthetic, but more than the conventional oils.

High-Mileage Oils

In cars with a lot of miles on them, the gaps between engine parts become greater. They need an oil that fills those gaps to maintain lubrication and reduce heat buildup. High mileage oils help the engine stay cooler and can reduce some of the rattling typically heard in an older engine. These oils are priced similarly to the blends.

Match the oil to your car for better performance. If the oil is too heavy for your car, it will be harder to start in cold weather and take longer for the engine to warm up. If the oil is too light, your engine may run hotter and the engine in an older car will be noisier. Have the auto shop technician explain the different oils they have available during your oil change service and make sure you get the one suited to your car and driving habits.


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