How to Choose the Right Engine Oil for Your Car?
2 Answers
Here are the methods for selecting the right engine oil for your car: 1. Choose the appropriate viscosity: It is best to use multi-viscosity lubricating oil when selecting engine oil. Multi-viscosity lubricating oil (also known as multi-grade lubricating oil) has the properties of light oil at low temperatures and heavy oil at high temperatures. In scenarios where multi-grade oil is recommended, one type of multi-grade oil can replace multiple single-grade oils. 2. Choose engine oil based on the season: Although multi-grade oil can meet the needs of extremely cold and warm seasons as well as heavy-duty engines, especially for diesel engines that do not have difficulty starting in cold weather, it is usually recommended to use single-viscosity lubricating oil, which is beneficial for engine lubrication and extends the engine's service life.
After driving for over a decade, I believe choosing engine oil should start with the user manual—the viscosity grade recommended by the manufacturer, such as 5W-30, is the most reliable. I also consider climate factors: in northern winters, oils starting with 0W or 5W make cold starts easier, while in the south, 10W might work fine. Engine oils are categorized into mineral, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic—newer cars benefit from full synthetic for longevity, while older cars can save costs with mineral oil. Check the API standard for SN or SP ratings to ensure environmental and cleaning performance. Don’t just rely on brand reputation; check for a recent production date. Change the oil regularly every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers without delay—this keeps the engine running longer and saves fuel costs. In short, always follow the manual and adapt to actual driving conditions for a simple and worry-free approach.