Choosing the Right Motor Oil For Your Vehicle

To keep the engines of motor vehicles running well, oil is required to lubricate them, seal the pistons of the cylinders, keep moving parts cool and reduce build-ups of solid deposits. There are numerous types of oil on the market, but our well-trained auto technicians know what type of motor oil is right for the engine of your car, truck or SUV.

Conventional Oil

New cars typically require premium conventional oil, and late-model cars require conventional oil. This oil has multiple grades that are designated by numbers. For example, 10W-30 is an oil with a rating of 10 for its viscosity in winter. Viscosity is a measure of how well oil flows. The second number refers to how well oil resists thinning at high temperatures. Oil that’s labeled 10W-40 stays thicker at high temperatures compared to 10W-30.

It’s important to strike a balance between viscosity and thickness. Oil must always flow easily and be thick enough to lubricate the engine and condition the pistons. However, oil that is too thick will cause the engine to work harder. Unnecessarily thick oil also makes starting the engine more difficult, and in turn decreases fuel economy. At high temperatures, motor oils must be able to counter the effects of metal parts moving that can thin the oil.

Conventional oil is basic petroleum oil that is mixed with several kinds of base oils that have additives in them. Depending on the formulation, these mixtures may prevent corrosion, keep particles from clumping together and gumming up the works, reduce the wear on metal surfaces and more. Your owner’s manual is your guide to what kind of motor oil to use under standard driving conditions, which include commuting, running errands and vacationing. Out-of-the ordinary conditions include short trips between 5 and 10 miles, driving when it’s very cold or very hot, driving in dusty conditions or idling in traffic a lot. Our team will make sure your vehicle is getting the correct oil change every time.

Synthetic Oils

Vehicles such as Corvettes that have high-performance engines require full synthetic oil, which has been formulated in a lab. This oil has been refined to give motor vehicles the widest range of advantages that it can. It is a man-made product rather than a natural one. At high temperatures, it offers excellent lubrication. Using synthetic oil means fewer oil changes than with standard oil. It’s expensive, though, and not all engines need it.

Synthetic Blend

Trucks and SUVs may require a synthetic blend that combines synthetic oil with organic oil. This kind of blend offers better engine protection for vehicles that haul heavy loads in high temperatures. For vehicles with more than 75,000 miles there are high-mileage blends that restore the operating capacity of the crankshaft seals, which deteriorate with age. There are also specific oils for diesel engines too, and we carry whichever you need.

If your vehicle is due for an oil change, don’t delay, give Oldsmar Automotive a call. Contact us and we will put the right kind of oil in your vehicle to help extend the life of your engine.