At D Mac’s Auto Repair in Escondido, CA, one of the most common complaints we hear from car owners is that it is difficult to know which of the many different motor oils are right for their car and which to choose for an oil change. This is a fair complaint because there are a lot of options when it comes to motor oil. Let’s look at the basics so you can begin doing a bit of your own auto repair in Escondido.
Understanding the Different Motor Oils
Before we begin sorting through the different motor oils, let’s just first look at a three point check you need to do on any bottle of motor oil you might choose. The first is to ensure that it has the API or American Petroleum Institute’s symbol of approval. The second is to ensure it is oil graded to the latest service level or “SL”. The final point is to know which thickness (also called viscosity) the container of oil should be, which is something your owner’s manual provides, and which must be clearly indicated on the label.
So, in brief – you need to see the API symbols with the SL standard indicated and that the oil is at the right viscosity for your needs. After that you have to choose from the different motor oils by brand and by standards. We won’t look at brands, but the standards for different motor oils will include:
Premium conventional oil
Every major manufacturer of motor oil will have an SL option with different viscosities available. For example, you will see 5W-20 or 30 or 10W options.
Synthetic oil
This is one of the newer alternatives in motor oil and is created for the more advanced engines. These are totally unique from conventional oils and though more and more vehicles can use them, be sure your car can safely use it to meet its needs.
Synthetic Blends
These are, as the name implies, a blend of both types of motor oils and cost nearly the same as premium conventional oils.
There are also oils designed for vehicles with higher mileage, and these are ideal for those who have maintained a car properly and who want to keep using it well beyond 75k miles.
Visit D Mac’s Auto Repair for an Escondido Oil Change
Naturally, the key to using different motor oils is to also maintain a regular schedule for oil changes and auto repair in Escondido. No matter what motor oil is chosen, it has to be changed and the system maintained for optimal performance. Do you need an oil change in Escondido? If so, it is time to get in touch with us by calling our Escondido, CA shop at 760-746-0111. You can also use our online contact form and a member of our service team will get back to you quickly.
