Most Important Factors to Consider When Buying Motor Oil

Buying the correct type of motor oil could mean a life or death decision for your car's engine. Changing and maintaining motor oil is an important part of preventive maintenance for your vehicle. Choosing the correct motor oil can be overwhelming if you don't know which type your vehicle requires.

Always check your owner's manual for the recommended viscosity and type of motor oil for your vehicle. The owner's manual for your vehicle will recommend a certain oil viscosity and weight to use for your vehicle engine. Motor oil changes with the weather. In colder temperatures, motor oil is thick like refrigerated honey. When motor oil is hot, it also resembles honey that has been heated and is very thin and runny. The types of motor oil are based on these characteristics. The first numbers, before the W, in motor oil type indicates the viscosity in cold temperatures. The number after the dash indicates the viscosity in warmer temperatures. This multi-viscosity motor oil eliminates the need to use different motor oils for cold and hot weather.

Stick with the manufacturer recommendation or risk engine seizure! Don’t be tempted to use thicker weight oil than what the manufacturer recommends. Manufacturers recommend motor oil for their vehicles based on extensive lab research and testing, including road testing. Using thicker viscosity oil than recommended could lead the engine to seize. If your dear old dad tells you to change your oil to a 10W-30 and your owner's manual recommends 5W-30, play it safe and stick with the manufacturer's recommendation.

Decide on conventional or synthetic oil. Some vehicle owners choose synthetic oil based on its ability to be used alone, mixed with conventional oil and the additional protection synthetics offer. Most owners don't realize that they do not need to spend the extra money, as synthetic oil is not needed, unless your vehicle is subject to extreme driving conditions.