4 TYPES OF MOTOR OIL: WHAT TYPE OF OIL SHOULD YOU USE FOR YOUR CAR?

For many, car maintenance is simply a hassle, and that’s understandable. If you have kids, you need to get yourself showered and dressed and then get your kids and all their necessities prepped and packed up. Then you have to load everyone in the car and hope for good moods and no temper tantrums when heading to an oil change shop. That whole process is stressful enough, but arriving at the oil change shop and not understanding what your car needs can cause stress. This guide offers an in-depth understanding of the different types of engine oil.

What Does Motor Oil Do?

The purpose of motor oil is to lubricate all the moving metal components inside your car’s engine, allowing your pistons, valves, and camshaft (the part that controls how much air and fuel go to the engine) to operate correctly and without restraint. The lubricant creates a slick surface that separates these moving metal components and minimizes friction.

But even with oil in place, some friction still results when engine parts move back and forth, creating heat. Another purpose of oil is to circulate through the motor and absorb some of this heat.

As it makes its way around your engine, your oil eventually travels back to the engine sump (the metal container that holds the engine oil), where it dissipates some of the heat, cooling down, and extending your engine’s performance. Without motor oil, you risk the following:

• Metal components rubbing against each other
• Sections of the engine overheating
• Your engine seizing up, essentially destroying it

4 Different Types Oil For Cars

When it comes to types of motor oil, options are abundant. Here are some of the most common types of motor oil:

• Conventional Motor Oil: Comes from refined crude oil.
• Synthetic Motor Oil: Provides high viscosity, strong resistance to thermal breakdowns, and protection from sludge build-up.
• High-Mileage Motor Oil: Reduces metal-to-metal contact, minimizes oil consumption, and keeps your engine operating smoothly.
• Synthetic Blend Motor Oil: Provides superior engine protection against friction and wear with a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils.

However, just like any other substance, you’ll want to be selective. Some options are more suited for cars with high horsepower, whereas others are designed to reduce oil consumption. Here’s some more information about the types and when to use them.

1. Conventional Motor Oil

Conventional oil remains a common choice among car owners. The base oil, which is 100% mineral, comes from refined crude oil. This option is well-suited for lightweight, late-model vehicles with low mileage.

Not only do conventional oil changes suit cars with simple engines, but a standard one can cost an owner as little as $35 to $55.

2. Synthetic Motor Oil

When it comes to the different types of oil for cars,synthetic oil vs. conventional oilis the big question. Synthetic oil provides the following: High viscosity levels, strong resistance to thermal breakdowns, and protection from sludge build-up in your engine. And if you happen to live in an area prone to extreme temperatures, synthetic also contains additives to prevent thickening.

More importantly, many modern vehicles require synthetic oil. Synthetic is widely considered superior to conventional due to its high viscosity, which leads to better fuel efficiency and will help your vehicle last significantly longer. Expect an average cost of about $70 each service.

3. High-Mileage Motor Oil

As your vehicle ages, the engine becomes prone to wear and tear. A high-mileage option reduces metal-to-metal contact, minimizes oil consumption, and keeps your engine operating smoothly without the risk of smoke. Furthermore, high-mileage oil contains seal swell additives to prevent leaks and antioxidants to prevent oil burn-off.

If you own a car with [75,000 miles or more](https://www.carfax.com/blog/high-mileage-oil#:~:text=(Synthetic%20oil%20is%20otherwise%20recommended,expensive%20than%20standard%20grade%20oil.), a high-mileage brand will serve you well and keep your engine operating without complications—usually for $5 to $10 more than a synthetic oil change.

4. Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils. It includes natural and synthetic additives that provide superior engine protection against friction and wear. Because of the combination of synthetic and traditional lubricants, a synthetic blend is suitable for heavy-duty vehicles.

As far as costs, you can expect to pay $10 to $15 less than a full synthetic treatment, which comes to roughly $55 to $60.

What If I Choose the Wrong Oil Type?

It’s incredibly important that you choose the right type of oil for your vehicle. When you choose the right type of oil you’ll find that your fuel efficiency is higher. When you choose the wrong type of oil, your engine will experience more wear and tear and may not be properly lubricated. A poorly oiled engine could be catastrophic for your car.

Types of Oil Additives

Engine oils contain 8%–15% performance additives. These chemical compounds are designed to improve the performance of your oil by enhancing lubrication, preventing corrosion, and reducing engine noise. In short, they operate as an added layer of protection in your oil.

Here are some common additives in motor oil:

- Antioxidants: These additives reduce oxidation, a chemical process that breaks down oil and leaves deposits that can accumulate in oil and make it less effective.

- Dispersants: Similar to antioxidants, dispersants keep your engine clean by removing deposits and preventing rust. Without it, your oil can’t absorb solid contaminants that damage the engine.

- Anti-Wear Agents: If you live in an area susceptible to engine damage from high temperatures, you’ll want anti-wear agents. These agents limit friction between metal components, protecting them from wear.

- Corrosion and Rust Inhibitors: Made with barium sulfonate and calcium, these additives neutralize the acids in your oil, protecting your engine’s components from rust and corrosion and ultimately lengthening the life of your engine.

- Friction Modifiers: Friction modifiers help reduce an engine’s friction when it’s operating at high temperatures with heavy loads.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Motor Oil

By this point, you understand motor oil is essential for your vehicle’s lifespan. Your engine depends on quality oil for maximum performance and strong protection. Yet the question remains: Which type of motor oil is best for your vehicle?

To help you make an informed decision, here are five key factors to consider:

1. Automaker Recommendations Your first strategy is to select a motor oil that matches your manufacturer’s specifications and requirements. Inside your manual, you’ll find critical information about your engine’s oil viscosity, recommended weight, and the industry specifications of your brand. Using this information, you can figure out the best type of motor oil for your vehicle.

2. Vehicle Age and Mileage The older your car, the more selective you should be with your options. Standard vehicles with 75,000 miles or more work best with high-mileage oil. Remember that some vehicles—particularly newer ones—often require synthetic or synthetic blends regardless of age and mileage.

3. Climate Your engine’s performance largely depends on the type of climate you live in and your oil’s thickness level. The numbers on motor oil refer to its “grade,” which in simple terms is its thickness. The higher the numbers, the thicker the oil.

In general, thinner oil performs better in cooler conditions, whereas high-viscosity engine oil fares better in warmer regions.

4. Driving Habits Do you mostly drive your vehicle in the city or on the highway? If your driving consists primarily of short distances, consider opting for a high-performance oil. All those stops you encounter on your commute to work can keep your engine from running at optimal temperatures.

5. Mechanical Breakdowns Let’s face it: we all deal with mechanical problems. Without preventative measures, we can end up diving deep into our bank accounts. If you want quality engine protection that a conventional product doesn’t offer, go with synthetic. It provides better fuel efficiency and more horsepower.

Protect Your Engine with Take 5

Understanding the different types of oil for cars is essential for preserving your engine and avoiding multiple visits to your mechanic. If you want to preserve your car for the long road ahead, Take 5 is ready with oil change services to fit your needs. Whether you’re on a tight budget or need help selecting the proper oil, our experts will prioritize your needs and get you back on the road in as little as ten minutes.

Get started by finding a Take 5 oil change location near you.