How to Choose the Right Engine Oil for Longer-Lasting Performance

How to Choose the Right Engine Oil for Longer-Lasting Performance

Engine oil safeguards your vehicle and bolsters its efficiency and longevity. But when you walk into your local auto parts store, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by an array of colored bottles and boastful claims.

Your car’s manufacturer, Kokomo, IN, provides specific guidelines for the type, viscosity rating, and oil change interval that best suit your vehicle. It would help if you also consider your driving conditions, climate, and vehicle age.

Know Your Driving Style

Choosing the right engine oil in Indiana depends on several factors, including driving style and environment. The type of engine oil you desire in oil change services can impact the performance and longevity of your car’s engine.

Your driving style can impact your engine’s health, as it determines how much stress you put on it. If you do a lot of city driving, your motor may degrade faster due to frequent stopping and starting. This requires an oil with a higher viscosity rating.

Some engine oils have added benefits, such as anti-wear and anti-friction additives that reduce friction and wear. These additives can improve performance and help your engine last longer. Micro-Ceramic Oil Additive can increase lubrication for longer and help extend your engine’s life. It also helps prevent oil breakup and sludge build-up. You should always consult your vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines for specific engine oil recommendations.

Know Your Climate

The climate where you drive stresses your engine, and the right engine oil can help you get around. If you live somewhere cold, your engine needs thicker oil to maintain its viscosity in freezing temperatures. If you live somewhere hot, your engine needs thinner oil that will better stand up to heat.

Your owner’s manual should list the exact type and grade of engine oil required for your vehicle. This information should include the viscosity rating and any other specifications the oil must meet, such as API, ACEA, or ILSAC.

Modern, fully synthetic engine oils in Indiana are designed to work across various temperatures and conditions. However, always check your owner’s manual to ensure the recommended oil matches your typical driving conditions.

This will prevent damage to your engine and improve its functionality and efficiency. The first number in the viscosity grade, which ends with ‘W,’ defines the oil’s ability to flow at low temperatures. The second number describes how well the oil stands up to high temperatures.

Type of Engine Oil

Choosing the right engine oil for your vehicle is crucial in Kokomo, IN. Once you know the make and model of your car, you can decide between two types of oil: mineral oil and synthetic oil. The base oil constitutes 80%-90% of an engine oil’s composition, making your oil type selection a critical decision.

There are three main categories of engine oil, each catering to specific vehicle requirements. It’s essential to consider the pros and cons of each type of oil and choose the one that fits your car and driving style best. Here’s how the oils stack up in terms of composition, viscosity range, and other relevant qualities:

Mineral oil, or conventional oil, is the earliest type of engine lubricant. It is derived from crude petroleum and is subjected to several refining processes to remove impurities. Mineral engine oils are composed mainly of highly flammable hydrocarbon molecules and are commonly used to break in new vehicles as they are manufactured on the assembly line.

This engine oil combines conventional and synthetic oils in the mid-range category. It provides better protection against potential engine wear compared to traditional oil. This also translates to fewer oil changes, which is a welcomed feature considering the slightly higher cost of synthetic oil.

Fully synthetic engine oil is created in a laboratory using a blend of chemicals. This process ensures that the oil provides robust performance, maximum efficiency, and optimum protection against damage to your engine.