Car oil is a vital component in the engine of a vehicle since it is in charge of lubricating the different parts of it so that they can function properly, as well as cooling, cleaning and preventing corrosion in the engine. For this reason, it is necessary to use one that is of quality but, in addition, this must be suitable for our vehicle, since if one is used that is not, we will notice problems in a short time.
In this article, we want to help you in the care and maintenance of your car and, for this reason, we answer the common question about How to check car engine oil and more details to consider this material.
How to check car engine oil?
To begin, it should be borne in mind that not only are there different brands of these products for car engines, but there are also different types of car oils, which must be taken into account since not all of them serve any type of case or type of car. Specifically, there are 3 types of motor oils:
Mineral motor oils
These products are obtained from the direct distillation of oil after various processes carried out in oil refineries. Thus, what this process achieves is to separate the part of the oil that has lubricating properties from the rest that turn out to be useless to achieve the desired final product, although residues may remain. They are considered of lower quality than the synthetics created in laboratories and, therefore, they are cheaper. However, for these reasons, this type of car engine oil needs to be changed at least once a year. The clear advantage is that they are more economical and, in addition, they are the most suitable for cars manufactured before 1995, since they do not have an engine adapted to synthetics.
Synthetic motor oils
This other type of product is manufactured in laboratories, from the distilled part of the oil obtained in the refineries, and they are oils that go through processes that manage to eliminate all types of waste, leaving only the lubricating part without absolutely any other unwanted product. In addition, additive products are included that serve to further protect the engine, thus making it resistant to extreme temperatures. Since synthetics are more durable, being less volatile, they do not need to be changed as often, but must be changed every year and a half or two years. Due to all of these improvements over mineral oils, synthetics are more expensive. These products, being the cleanest of waste and adapted to the needs of the engine, are the ones that will allow you to extend the life of your car more.
Semi-synthetic motor oils
The latter type is those that are produced from the mixture of the previous ones. Specifically, they have a large part of mineral oil and a smaller part of synthetic oil, they are never half the proportion, but the first-mentioned is always more present than the second. In this way, semi-synthetic car oil is cheaper than synthetic, but offers better results than mineral, especially in the most current cars (from before 1995). This product must be changed with an intermediate frequency to those mentioned above, that is, it must be before two years but it may take a little more than a year.
Viscosity grades of motor oil
Among the properties of these products for the proper functioning of the car the one that stands out the most is the viscosity since it is the one that will determine the resistance of the oil to flow, according to the engine temperature. Thus, there are two degrees of viscosity in engine oils: monograde and multigrade.
The monograde oils only have a degree of viscosity, regardless of the conditions to which it is subjected, and the multigrade oils are those with more than one viscosity grade, changing cold temperatures and hot. Although the latter is the most used, it should be borne in mind that it is most advisable to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of our car, since the appropriate viscosity range according to the ambient temperature for the type of engine will be indicated in the vehicle manual. Exactly what the car takes.
Thus, to know how to choose the oil for the car to have the correct care and maintenance of the car, you will have to base yourself both on the year of manufacture of this, if it is before or after the year 1995, as well as take into account the viscosity that the engine will need. To know what is the viscosity of the oil that your car needs, you will have to look in the table of the manual according to the average ambient temperature than it does in the area where you reside and use the car.
How to know what type of oil is in my car?
With these concepts on the types and viscosity of the oils already rinsed, you can now better answer the question that has brought you to this article about “how do I know which oil my car has?” or “what oil to put in my car?”.
If you want to know the oil that your car uses, it is best to look it up in the manual that came with the car when you purchased it, since all the needs of the vehicle are indicated there and the necessary type and viscosity of this product will be, although not a brand is mentioned. It is recommended that you go to your trusty workshop and there comment that in the manual you have seen that your car needs that specific product and that they themselves indicate which may be the best brand for your vehicle among the options available to them.
Keep in mind that if the car is not new, you have been using it for a while and so far it has worked well for you, do not change the type of oil and, if possible, the brand of this one, keep using the same. However, you need to change the brand or type because you have noticed that the one you use does not work well in your car, it is better that you make a progressive change and not a sudden one, since if it is abrupt it can affect the operation of the engine, and before Switch from mineral to synthetic or vice versa, spend time using a semi-synthetic one.
In summary and with some extra notes, here are some tips to know what oil a car uses:
- Remember that if your car is older than 1995, the mineral will be the most suitable.
- Look in the car manual and make sure that the one you choose complies with the regulations specified in the manufacturer’s manual.
- Take into account the average temperature of the place where you live to choose the product. If you live in a warm place, the products that have a higher final number in the name will be the most suitable. On the contrary, if you reside in a cold place, the products with a lower number in the code of your name will be the most indicated.
Prefer high-end brands to low-end or white brand and opt, if your car allows it, for synthetics since they take more care of the engine. Make the oil type change gradually and never suddenly to avoid engine damage.
