Can I switch motor oil brands?

[LondonRose]

Motor oil brands can be switched. Here are precautions when changing to other brands: 1. Most importantly, purchase oil through official channels: Never use unverified small-brand oils, as poor-quality oil may cause engine damage. 2. For older vehicles with significant sludge buildup, it's best to clean the sludge thoroughly before changing oil, which not only ensures better lubrication but also helps restore engine performance. 3. Always thoroughly clean the old oil: First drain the old oil as completely as possible, then add a small amount of new oil or specialized engine cleaning oil for flushing.

[MacBentley]

Of course you can switch motor oil brands. I've changed brands three or four times in over a decade of driving. The key is checking certification standards - if your factory oil was SN grade 5W-30, the new oil must meet the same specification. Some car owners worry about mixing issues, but simply draining the old oil completely solves this. However, avoid frequent brand switching as engines need time to adapt to new formulations. I recommend first checking your owner's manual, then comparing parameters of major brands like Shell and Mobil online. Last month I switched my Japanese car to German-spec oil - cold start noise reduced noticeably though fuel consumption increased slightly.

[NoraAnn]

I'm highly qualified to talk about switching motor oil brands, as I've been using different brands for my two family cars for years. The key is not to mess with the viscosity – if your car requires 5W-40, don't use 0W-20. Mixing brands is a definite no-go; last time I tried saving time by mixing half a liter of different brands, the engine immediately threw a trouble code. Nowadays when choosing a new brand, I first check for the API certification logo and then buy from official stores. Actually, full synthetic oils have the best compatibility – my off-roader ran on Castrol Edge for three years, and recently I switched to Total Quartz 9000 without issues, but remember to check the dipstick every 500 kilometers.

[Erick]

Be cautious when choosing engine oil brands for a new car. I recommend using the factory oil for the first maintenance and switching after the break-in period. Last time I accompanied a friend for maintenance, the mechanic mentioned that the base oil formulas of mainstream brands are quite similar nowadays, with the key difference lying in the additives. He demonstrated using test strips to compare the oil film spreadability of different brands, and the differences were quite noticeable. Semi-synthetic oil is sufficient for economy cars, while performance vehicles are better off with full synthetic. Remember to ask the mechanic to flush the oil pan a couple of extra times during oil changes, especially when the old oil is particularly dark.