The Complete Guide To Choosing The Right Engine Oil For Your Car

During operation, internal combustion engines need to be maintained and lubricated to ensure stable operation and increase the life of the vehicle. Car engine oil is the most important component for lubricating moving parts in the engine. Choosing the right type of oil plays an important role in reducing friction and wear, while protecting the engine from serious damage. 

Currently, there are many types of the best car oils on the market, including synthetic oils and conventional oils. To better understand the type of oil suitable for cars, let's learn about Viscosity Grades (SAE) and Oil Features (API) with Dealnew.co.uk in the following blog!

Viscosity Grade (SAE)

The viscosity grade of oil is indicated by numbers and symbols on the oil bottle. Oils with different viscosity grades are suitable for different types of engines.

Low Viscosity

• Lower viscosity is usually indicated by a smaller number. For example, a 5W-30 oil will have a lower viscosity than a 10W-40 oil.
• Lower viscosity oils are typically intended for cold environments where high viscosity can reduce the ability to quickly deliver oil to critical engine components upon start-up.
• However, it should be noted that not all engines are suitable for low viscosity oils.

High Viscosity

• Higher viscosity is usually indicated by a larger number. For example, a 10W-40 oil will have a higher viscosity than a 0W-30 oil.
• High viscosity grade oils are often suitable for warm living environments where high viscosity is needed to ensure the oil comes into contact with rapidly moving parts.

Oil Features (API)

API (American Petroleum Institute) is used to classify the quality of engine oil. For gasoline engines, the oil quality is classified from SA to SN. Meanwhile, for diesel engines, the oil quality is classified from CH-4 to CI-4.

Classification of Gasoline Engine Oil

• Lubricants are classified in order from SA to SN according to API standards.
• High quality engine oils like SN meet the stringent and reliable requirements of the latest engines and the most advanced technology. They are the best choice to protect your car's engine.

Classification of Diesel Engine Oil

• Lubricants are classified in order from CH-4 to CJ-4 according to API standards.
• High quality lubricants such as CI-4 meet the stringent and reliable requirements of the latest diesel engines.
• Diesel engines require a higher level of protection against friction and wear due to the harsh conditions and higher working pressures. Therefore, to ensure good operation of the diesel engine, the use of the right lubricant is very important.

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Change car engine oil regularly

To ensure the proper functioning of your car engine and avoid serious damage, it is essential to change your oil regularly and use the right type of oil. To manage your oil changes, follow the manufacturer's instructions or schedule an appointment with a trusted auto service dealer.

Car engine oil plays an important role in protecting and maintaining the performance of the engine. Understanding the viscosity grade and API properties will help you choose the right oil for your car's engine. Making sure to change the oil regularly and using the right oil will help protect the engine and increase the life of your car.

Read the manufacturer's requirements and recommendations carefully or seek help from an auto repair professional to ensure you choose the right oil for your vehicle's engine.

Oil change time:  After a period of engine operation, the oil will be degraded due to oxidation, pyrolysis, water infiltration, additives in the oil are consumed and gradually lose their properties, so they cannot ensure the normal functions as mentioned above, and need to be replaced promptly. The oil change time will depend on the operating environment, engine working conditions and the quality of  the oil.

• Oil change time is usually recommended by manufacturers based on Km, but if the engine operates in adverse environments or harsh conditions, it will need to be replaced sooner.
• One very important thing is that for car engines, we should change the oil filter after about 2-3 times changing the engine oil. Because during the operation of the engine, residue will stick to the oil filter, causing the oil filter to no longer work effectively, which in the long run will directly affect and damage the engine.
• Another factor to note is that oil change does not depend on the color of  the oil. It is not necessary to change the oil if the color of the oil turns black when the viscosity of the oil is still high.

Which Base Oil Is Better:  Mineral base oil, Synthetic base oil or Semi-Synthetic base oil?

With today's increasingly advanced technology from manufacturers,  base oils  are all of very good quality, so choosing  any base oil  that suits the economic ability of the user is fine.

According to our many years of experience, you should choose  synthetic base oil  for your engine because this type of oil has very good quality, due to its very pure formulation and small molecules that can lubricate parts with the smallest clearance, but it is much more expensive than mineral base oils.

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Operating Environment Considerations

In each different operating environment, the engine will need a suitable type of lubricant  .  Lubricant manufacturers all have products specially designed to suit different operating environmental conditions. For example, Morris Lubricant manufacturer , we have products such as:  

• Multilife product line: oil for vehicles that operate a lot in inner-city areas, streets with frequent traffic jams. This oil is developed based on Low/Mid- SAPS additive technology to help save fuel, protect the engine even when having to stop/operate continuously. Fully meets EURO 4, 5,6 standards.
• X-RPM Competition product line: developed based on racing car technology, this oil has a wide viscosity and provides superior performance, increasing engine power 3 times. Suitable for vehicles that operate a lot on highways, national roads.
• Multilife and Versima x product lines: specially designed for use in heavy duty vehicles such as trucks, passenger cars, commercial vehicles,etc

Well, we've covered a lot in this guide on how to pick the best engine oil for your car. I hope you feel much more comfortable making the choice now that you understand the different weight grades, viscosity ratings, and formulations. The most important things to remember are to check your owner's manual, consider your typical driving conditions, and don't forget about extreme weather if it applies to where you live. Just stick to a trusted brand and change your oil as recommended, and your engine will thank you!

Choosing the right oil doesn't need to be super stressful. Apply the tips we discussed and you'll be able to select an option that will properly protect and lubricate your engine. Feel good knowing you've got the knowledge to keep your car running in top shape for many more miles to come. Let Dealnew.co.uk know if any other car maintenance questions come up - I'd be happy to help out. Talk to you next time!