Engine oils are essential for flawless operation and highest performance of the power unit. They cool and lubricate moving parts extending their lifespans and protecting them from being damaged. There are different types of them. Which one to choose?
What are the types of engine oils?
Four main types of engine oil are usually distinguished:
- Conventional oil. This type of oil can be seen in many vehicles. The main reason for this is that it is cheap. This kind of lubricant is suitable for light-duty vehicles driven in climates with mild winters and not very hot summers. They also have to be changed more often than synthetic or synthetic-blend oils.
- Premium conventional oil. This one is a kind of subtype of the first one mentioned here. Nowadays, most new cars have it in their systems. They are mainly suitable for light-duty vehicles with low mileage. However, the more sophisticated the engines become; the more requirements have the oils to meet. Unfortunately, even premium conventional oils aren’t always capable of that.
- Synthetic oil. One synthetic oil can be made of up to three synthetic base fluids. Besides, manufacturers mix in various additives and other special liquids. Theses can be foam inhibitors, anti-wear products, friction modifiers, detergents, viscosity-index improvers, etc. On the whole, manufacturers can make new synthetic oils changing the proportions, components and even creating their own design of molecules uniform in size and shape. That property allows synthetic lubricants to become heated slower. However, these oils are much more expensive than conventional ones.
- Synthetic-blend (part-synthetic) oil. This is a kind of attempt to combine good properties of synthetic liquids and affordability of conventional ones. These products are a mixture of these two types. They can’t offer all the benefits of synthetic oils but they make conventional liquids less volatile, thus, reducing oil loss and increasing fuel economy. These liquids can be used both in light-duty vehicles and in SUVs or pickup trucks.
- High-mileage oil. This type of lubricants was specially developed for vehicles which covered about 113 000 km. They contain special seal conditioners to protect and to increase the flexibility of the seals inside the power unit. Both synthetic and conventional oils can be used as a base. However, they are very precise: they can be extremely beneficial for some engines being completely useless for others.
What should I change my engine oil?
These intervals, as well as the type of oil your car needs, are specified in the user’s manual. In general, oil change intervals depend on how much you drive, what vehicle you have and what type of engine oil you use:
- Every 2Â 000 km if your trips are no longer than 16 miles;
- Every 5Â 000 km for older models;
- Every 8 000 – 12 000 km for new models which usually travel 20 min or more at a steady speed;
- Every 16 000 – 24 000 km for vehicles using synthetic oil.
Motor-Doctor.co.uk is a leading car part shop
Are you planning to change the engine oil but don’t know which one to choose? Ask our competent assistants. They will tell you about the pros and cons of each oil and find the one suitable both your vehicle and your budget. We offer a wide range of products from well-known manufacturers such as Castrol, Shell, Total, Mobile 1, Wurth Triathlon and others. We set reasonable prices so that you could afford to buy the best products for your vehicle.
