What Are the Different Types of Motor Oil Available to Consumers?

With synthetic motor oil making a huge splash on the market, it can get confusing as to which is the best oil for your automobile. Righteous Auto Care advises that your best bet in determining the motor oil for your vehicle is to check your owner’s manual. It will list the oil type and weight that your engine was designed to use. The only thing that should change this is where you live and how old your car, truck, or utility vehicle is. Let’s talk more about the different types of motor oil below.

The most commonly used type of motor oil is conventional motor oil. This oil works well when it is changed every 3,000 miles. It’s perfect for temperate climates and vehicles that don’t have a ton of mileage on them. Conventional motor oil is a natural product that is extracted from crude. It has been used for decades and does a very good job of protecting your automobile’s engine.

You may want to switch to high-mileage motor oil once your vehicle has 75,000 miles on the tachometer. This oil is designed to protect the engine better and help prevent oil leaks, which can become common as your engine continues to age. High-mileage motor oil has a conventional oil base with additives designed for vehicles that have a few miles and years under their belts.

We often recommend switching to synthetic motor oil during the winter here in Racine, Wisconsin. The reason why is that synthetic oil stands up to extreme temperatures better, including the cold. Synthetic oil is man-made and contains additives that allow it to remain viscous and protect your engine for longer periods. Synthetic motor oil does not oxidize as quickly as conventional motor oil does, and, as such, you can go longer between oil changes. Synthetic motor oil is also recommended for high-performance vehicles to better protect their engines and keep them cooler.

Finally, you can get a blend of both conventional and synthetic motor oil. This oil has the best of both oil types. It resists oxidation so you can go longer between oil changes but it isn’t as expensive as full synthetic motor oil. This oil is a good compromise if your vehicle doesn’t need full synthetic oil yet you are looking to better protect your engine.

Righteous Auto Care in Racine, WI, has all of your automotive service and repair needs handled, including oil changes. We’d be happy to discuss the best oil type for your automobile with you.