How to Choose the Best Engine Oil for Your Car

Engine oil is one of the most important fluids in your car. It lubricates the moving parts of your engine, helps to keep it cool, and protects it from wear and tear. Choosing the right engine oil for your car is essential for keeping it running smoothly and efficiently.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Engine Oil

There are a few factors to consider when choosing engine oil for your car:

Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of how thick or thin the oil is. Thicker oils are better at protecting your engine from wear and tear, but they can also make it harder for your engine to start in cold weather. Thinner oils are easier to pump and flow, but they may not provide as much protection for your engine.
API rating: The American Petroleum Institute (API) rates engine oils based on their performance. The higher the API rating, the better the oil’s performance. Oils with an API rating of SN or higher are recommended for most cars.
Specific requirements: Some cars have specific oil requirements. For example, some high-performance cars require synthetic oil. It’s important to consult your owner’s manual to find out what type of oil your car requires.

Types of Engine Oil

There are three main types of engine oil:

Conventional oil: Conventional oil is the most common type of oil used in cars. It’s made from refined crude oil and contains additives to improve its performance. Conventional oil is relatively inexpensive, but it needs to be changed more often than synthetic oil.
Synthetic oil: Synthetic oil is made from synthetic hydrocarbons. It’s more expensive than conventional oil, but it offers better protection for your engine and lasts longer. Synthetic oil is a good choice for high-performance cars and cars that are driven in extreme conditions.
Semi-synthetic oil: Semi-synthetic oil is a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. It offers a good balance of performance and price. Semi-synthetic oil is a good choice for most cars.

How to Change Your Engine Oil

Changing your engine oil is a relatively simple task that you can do yourself. Here are the steps on how to change your engine oil:

Gather your materials. You will need: new engine oil, a new oil filter, an oil filter wrench, a funnel, and a drain pan.
Warm up your engine. This will help the oil to drain more easily.
Locate the oil drain plug and oil filter. The oil drain plug is usually located on the bottom of the oil pan. The oil filter is usually located near the top of the engine.
Place the drain pan under the oil drain plug.
Loosen the oil drain plug. Be careful not to drop the bolt into the drain pan.
Allow the oil to drain out. This may take a few minutes.
Replace the oil drain plug. Tighten the bolt until it is snug.
Remove the old oil filter. Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the filter. Be careful not to spill any oil.
Apply a thin coat of new oil to the gasket of the new oil filter.
Screw on the new oil filter. Tighten the filter until it is snug.
Add new engine oil to the engine. Use the funnel to add the oil to the engine. Check the oil level with the dipstick and add more oil as needed.
Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. This will circulate the new oil and check for leaks.
Check the oil level again. Add more oil as needed until the oil level is between the “full” and “add” marks on the dipstick.

Tips for Choosing and Changing Engine Oil

Always consult your owner’s manual to find out what type of oil your car requires.
Change your oil according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Most cars need their oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Use a high-quality engine oil. The oil you choose should meet or exceed the API rating for your car.
Change your oil filter every time you change your oil.
Check your oil level regularly and add oil as needed.

Conclusion

Choosing the right engine oil for your car is essential for keeping it running smoothly and efficiently. By following the tips in this article, you can choose the best oil for your car and keep it running for years to come.