What are the types of car engine oil?
2 Answers
Car engine oil is divided into three types: mineral, semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic. The details are as follows: 1. Mineral oil is the most basic and cheapest type of engine oil, generally classified below SJ grade, and typically only suitable for low-end cars or some new vehicles. 2. Semi-synthetic oil is a blend of conventional oil and synthetic base oil, with additives to form a quasi-synthetic oil, generally suitable for mid-range non-turbocharged vehicles. 3. Fully synthetic oil has excellent resistance to high-temperature volatility and deposits, making it suitable for high-temperature, high-speed, and high-compression ratio engines, such as turbocharged engines. Fully synthetic oil is a truly chemically synthesized oil that can maintain superior lubrication even when other base oils fail, and it is also the most expensive among the three types of engine oil.
After years of driving, I've become quite savvy about engine oil choices. Basically, there are three main categories: The most basic is mineral oil, directly refined from petroleum—cheap but offers average protection; semi-synthetic oil is mineral oil enhanced with synthetic technology, offering good value for money—this is what I used last year; the top-tier is full synthetic oil, with uniform molecular structure, providing quick cold starts and strong high-temperature protection—now I use this for long trips. Different oils have varying change intervals: mineral oil needs replacement every 5,000 km, while full synthetic can last up to 10,000 km. When choosing, besides the type, also pay attention to viscosity grades—for example, 5W-30 is quite suitable for cars in southern regions like mine.
