What Engine Oil Do I Put in My Car?

Introduction

Engine oil is a vital fluid that helps to keep your car’s engine running smoothly. It lubricates moving parts, helps to cool the engine, and protects against wear and tear. Choosing the right engine oil for your car is important for maintaining its performance and longevity.

Types of Engine Oil

There are two main types of engine oil:

• Conventional oil is made from refined crude oil. It is the most common type of engine oil and is typically less expensive than synthetic oil.
• Synthetic oil is made from chemically engineered compounds. It offers better protection against wear and tear and can withstand higher temperatures than conventional oil. Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, but it can last longer and provide better protection for your engine.

Viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of how thick or thin an oil is. The higher the viscosity, the thicker the oil. The lower the viscosity, the thinner the oil.

The viscosity of an oil is important because it affects how well it lubricates moving parts. A thicker oil will provide more lubrication than a thinner oil, but it will also be more difficult for the oil to flow through the engine. A thinner oil will flow more easily, but it may not provide as much protection against wear and tear.

The viscosity of an oil is typically denoted by a number followed by the letter “W” (for winter). For example, 5W-30 is a low-viscosity oil that is suitable for use in cold climates. 10W-40 is a higher-viscosity oil that is suitable for use in hot climates.

API Service Category

The API Service Category is a classification system that is used to indicate the type of service that an oil is suitable for. The API Service Category is typically denoted by two letters. For example, SN is an API Service Category that indicates that an oil is suitable for use in gasoline-powered engines.

The API Service Category is important because it helps you to choose an oil that is compatible with your car’s engine.

The following are some of the most common API Service Categories:

• SN – Suitable for use in gasoline-powered engines
• SM – Suitable for use in gasoline-powered engines
• SL – Suitable for use in gasoline-powered engines
• SJ – Suitable for use in gasoline-powered engines
• CH-4 – Suitable for use in diesel-powered engines
• CI-4 – Suitable for use in diesel-powered engines

How to Choose the Right Engine Oil

The best way to choose the right engine oil for your car is to consult your owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual will specify the type of oil that is recommended for your car’s engine.

If you do not have your owner’s manual, you can use the following steps to choose the right engine oil:

1. Determine the viscosity of the oil that you need. The viscosity of the oil is typically denoted by a number followed by the letter “W” (for winter). For example, 5W-30 is a low-viscosity oil that is suitable for use in cold climates. 10W-40 is a higher-viscosity oil that is suitable for use in hot climates.
2. Determine the API Service Category that you need. The API Service Category is a classification system that is used to indicate the type of service that an oil is suitable for. The API Service Category is typically denoted by two letters. For example, SN is an API Service Category that indicates that an oil is suitable for use in gasoline-powered engines.
3. Choose an oil that meets the requirements of your car’s engine. Once you have determined the viscosity and API Service Category of the oil that you need, you can choose an oil that meets those requirements.

How to Change Your Engine Oil

Changing your engine oil is a relatively simple task that can be done at home. The following steps will show you how to change your engine oil:

1. Gather your materials. You will need the following materials to change your engine oil:
   • New engine oil
   • New oil filter
   • Oil drain pan
   • Wrench
   • Funnel
2. Warm up your engine. This will help to thin the oil and make it easier to drain.
3. Turn off your engine and allow it to cool down slightly.
4. Place the oil drain pan under the oil drain plug.
5. Use the wrench to loosen the oil drain plug. Be careful not to overtighten the plug.
6. Allow the oil to drain into the oil drain pan.
7. Once the oil has drained, replace the oil drain plug. Be sure to tighten the plug securely.
8. Locate the oil filter and remove it.
9. Apply a thin layer of new oil to the gasket of the new oil filter.
10. Screw the new oil filter onto the engine. Be sure to tighten the filter securely.
11. Add new engine oil to the engine. Use the funnel to add the oil slowly. Be sure to check the oil level regularly as you add oil.
12. Start your engine and let it run for a few minutes. This will help to circulate the new oil throughout the engine.
13. Check the oil level again and add more oil if necessary.

Conclusion

Choosing the right engine oil for your car is important for maintaining its performance and longevity. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can choose the right oil for your car and change it yourself.