What engine oil is right for my vehicle?
21 August 2024
Choosing the right engine oil has a significant impact on the long-term health and performance of your car. With many oil options available, it is important to find the correct oil to increase your vehicle’s lifespan. Using the wrong oil can cause car-breaking damage. Setyres’ informative article answers your questions about the type of engine oil you need for your vehicle.
What is engine oil?
Engine oil is a crucial fluid that lubricates the moving parts within the engine. The oil reduces friction while cleaning, cooling and protecting the engine from corrosion. Most engine oils typically consist of two main components, additives and base oils. Additives comprise 10% to 30% of the oil mixture and the base oils comprise 70% to 90% of the engine oil.
When should you check the engine oil level?
Ideally, you should check your engine oil every three months or every 3,000 miles. A good rule of thumb is to check the oil levels once every few weeks or before a road trip. You should check the owner’s manual to find the ideal conditions for checking the engine oil level.
Types of engine oil
There are three main types of engine oil you can use for your vehicle:
Synthetic
Fully synthetic oil does not use crude oil but pure chemically made base oils such as esters and polyalphaolefins. You should use fully synthetic oil in high-performance vehicles as they can operate under extreme temperatures while reducing friction inside the engine. Ideally, synthetic oil should be changed every 10 to 20,000 miles.
Semi-synthetic
Semi-synthetic oil features a hybrid blend of synthetic and conventional oil. This provides the performance benefits of synthetic oil with the affordability of mineral oil. If you want the benefits of better performance, but don't drive long distances every day, a synthetic blend might be best for your car. As a rule of thumb, you should change the semi-synthetic oil in your engine every 7,500 miles.
Conventional engine oil (also known as mineral oil)
Conventional mineral oil is made from crude oil, extracted from under the ground, making it a non-synthetic oil. Although this type of oil is cheaper it requires topping up every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Conventional engine oil is recommended for older vintage or classic cars,
Knowing what type of engine oil to use is essential for keeping your car’s engine running smoothly. For more information, visit your local Setyres garage and speak to an experienced vehicle technician.
Is your car due a service? Find out what’s included in a car service with our guide. Keep your car’s engine healthy by booking an oil and filter service with Setyres today. Contact our experienced team if you have questions about the engine-related services or products we offer across our Southern England garages.
