A CAR or van is more than just four wheels and an engine—it’s an integral part of modern life and one of the most valuable possessions you can own. But with great value comes great responsibility, which means that keeping your car running smoothly will take some TLC in the form of motor oil changes and other routine maintenance procedures.

Here’s what you need to know about motor oil for your car and what type to use based on its age, make, and model.

How do I know what type of motor oil to use?

If you know your car’s make and model and its year of manufacture, you can consult with a repair shop or dealership to find out what type of motor oil you should use. An online search engine will do if you don’t have that information handy. For example, if I were trying to find out what type of motor oil would be suitable for my Volkswagen Golf MK2 – which was manufactured in 1995 – I would perform an online search using those three pieces of information.

 

Choose the right oil 

Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, it may require different types of motor oil. Choosing an oil that doesn’t meet your car’s requirements can lead to severe engine damage or failure—and a costly repair bill. It’s essential to carefully read and understand your owner’s manual before choosing an oil for your vehicle. If you aren’t sure what type of oil is best for your car, take it to a mechanic who will be able to determine which one is right for you.

 

How synthetic motor oil is different from other motor oil?

If you’re looking to repair your engine, consider upgrading to synthetic motor oil. Over time, you may have been using non-synthetic motor oil, standard in most vehicles today. Synthetic motor oil has a much longer life than its counterpart. Because of that, it can do things that other oils cannot—like improve fuel economy and increase engine lifespan—all while protecting your engine from wear and tear. In addition to protecting your vehicle against deterioration and rusting over time, high-quality synthetic motor oils provide more excellent lubrication than conventional motor oils.

 

When should I change my motor oil?

It’s hard to give an exact mileage limit when you should change your motor oil. Many different factors decide when to change it, including your driving habits and whether or not you have driven in extreme conditions like extremely hot or cold weather. However, it would help if you considered changing your motor oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. If you use synthetic oil, it is often recommended that you change it every 7500-10,000 miles. This is because synthetic oils will last longer than conventional oils before they need to be changed. Synthetic oils are also less likely to break down from heat and other environmental factors.

 

Can I switch to synthetic oils?

It’s not uncommon to want to switch from one type of motor oil to another. It can be tempting to swap in synthetic oil if you believe it will make your car run better or cheaper conventional oil if you’re looking to save some money. But before making any switches, ask yourself whether or not that’s true and what effects switching may have on your car. Ultimately, all oils are designed for specific reasons, and those reasons can vary depending on your vehicle, so before switching, make sure you know exactly why you’re doing it. What benefits—if any—you’ll see.

 

How timely oil changes affect saving money when repairing a car?

To keep your car running at its best, it’s essential to change your oil. Regular oil changes can extend your car’s life and save you money over time by preventing costly repairs when parts of an engine break down. Although an oil change may seem unnecessary, it is cheaper than having a whole engine rebuilt or repurchasing a new vehicle. If you do not take care of your vehicle, you will spend more money and will lose the reliability of your car over time.

 

Change your oil regularly. If you’re diligent about changing your oil every 3,000 miles, it could save you thousands in repairs and replacements down the road. This applies to both gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles alike. The more often you change your motor oil, the less chance you have of doing severe damage to an engine showing signs of wear and tear—and saving yourself money in the long run.

Information sources:

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/engine-oil

https://www.carkeys.co.uk/guides/a-guide-to-changing-oil-in-your-car

 

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