The basics of the best motor oil
You may be wondering what the best motor oil is for your car and how to choose the one that will suit your beloved machine. Look no further, the oracle of automotive lubrication is here to guide you (sorry, “I” shouldn’t say “guide”). In this article, you’ll find everything you need to choose your ideal motor oil, with a touch of humor and fun!
What exactly is oil?
To start, a little reminder is in order. Motor oil is that precious liquid that protects the components of your ride from friction, impurities, and helps cool the engine.
Here, a little bullet point list to distill the main functions of motor oil:
– reduce friction
– limit wear on parts
– ensure effective cooling
– clean the engine
– protect against corrosion
So now, let’s move on to serious matters (but without losing the touch of humor and fun, promise): how to choose the best motor oil for your car?
The importance of viscosity grades
Yes indeed, my dear friend, it’s not enough to buy the first motor oil you see to ensure you’re pampering your car. Depending on driving conditions and the type of engine, there are different motor oils with various properties.
The crucial element for choosing the right motor oil is viscosity. It is expressed by a grade, such as “10W-40” or “5W-30”. The first number indicates the viscosity when cold (the lower it is, the more fluid the oil), and the second indicates the viscosity when hot (a higher number means thicker oil).
Standards, a vast topic
If you thought that was it, think again! There are a multitude of standards that can complicate the lives of vehicle owners. Standards are references established by various organizations (SAE, API, ACEA, ILSAC…) and are supposed to guarantee the quality of motor oil.
To simplify things (as much as possible), let’s say that motor oils for gasoline cars are generally designated by the letter S (for “Service”), followed by another character that varies according to the API standard (for example “SN” or “SM”). For diesel engines, the letter “C” (“Commercial”) will be used.
Consult the vehicle manual
If you feel lost among all these standards and viscosity grades, don’t panic! The vehicle manual should clearly indicate what type of motor oil to use for your car. And if you have misplaced the manual, a quick visit to the manufacturer’s website or a call to the dealer should inform you.
Finding the ideal motor oil
To choose the best motor oil for your car, several criteria must be taken into account:
– the age of the car
– the type of engine (gasoline or diesel)
– driving conditions (weather, driving style, annual mileage…)
For older cars, mineral oils are generally recommended. They are more economical but require more frequent changes. As for modern cars, they will most often prefer semi-synthetic or synthetic oils, which offer optimal protection and increased longevity.
If you live in a cold region and your car mainly makes short trips, motor oil with a low cold viscosity grade will be more appropriate. Conversely, if you have a rather sporty driving style and want to preserve the power and performance of your ride, a synthetic oil with a high hot viscosity will likely be the best choice.
There you go, now you should be able to navigate the jungle of motor oils to choose the one that best suits your vehicle. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from a professional and carry out oil changes on time.
