All car engines need oil for not only lubrication but also to prevent the internal temperature from going up drastically due to all the friction and heat. Normally the oil keeps lying below in a pan but as soon as the car starts to run (when the engine is running), the oil is drawn from this pan and taken to all parts of the engine for its lubrication. The moving oil keeps the temperatures down to keep the engine cool while driving. If you have ever taken your car for a service after some time, there is a perfunctory oil change involved in this service. This is necessary for your car to perform at optimum levels. You give a lazy nod to the mechanic and he changes the oil as you do not know much about the various types of oils available in the market.
Do not think twice when it is time to change the motor oil
Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It is akin to the blood running through your body and arteries. Choosing the right kind of motor oil is critical for the health of your engine as right oil prevents major breakdowns and repairs thereby saving your hard earned money. Knowing how important oil is for the engine of your car, it is the desire of every car owner to get the best engine oil for his car, though at affordable prices. If you evince interest in engine oil and try to look at the products available in the market, you will be overwhelmed with choices. In fact, you will become more confused as to which product and brand of motor oil your should place inside the engine of your car. There are basically 4 types of engine oils that are conventional, synthetic, synthetic blend, and motor oil that is designed for high mileage.
So what are the things you should look at when buying the right engine oil for your car? Picking up a product from the self of a shop selling engine oils is not an easy joke, but here is a list of things that you should look at or keep in mind before finalizing a product or a brand.
Viscosity of the oil
Viscosity of oil is its property whereby it provides resistance to free flow. There is a number representing its viscosity during winters and at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you see 10W30 as the viscosity of the oil, you can assume that it is less viscous than an oil reading 20W50. Number before W is the viscosity during winters and after W is the viscosity at boiling point of water. Oil naturally thickens during winters and becomes thin during summers. Take a look at the recommended levels of viscosity by the car manufacturer to select the right oil with just the viscosity the engine requires.
Do not be confused by different nomenclature
If you are confused looking at synthetic and conventional oil labels, there is no need to be as synthetic oils are as good as conventional oils. If anything, these oils are designed to work well even under extreme weather conditions. If you live in a state with chilly weather conditions, it is better to use synthetic motor oil. This oil flows not matter what the temperature outside is. However, synthetic oil is obviously more expensive than conventional oil.
Conventional oil
This kind of motor oil works well in average weather conditions. The molecules are irregular in size and shape in comparison to synthetic oils that have uniformly sized molecules. This is petroleum based oil mixed with lubricating oils.