What Oil Should I Use In My Car?
What Oil Should I Use In My Car?
This is the most common question we get in the shop from our oil change customers. So, we hope starting this blog helps, but if you still have questions, give us a call (link to call) or come visit us at R & T Shell Rapid Lube at our Lakewood location at 1301 S Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80232.
How Do I Know What Oil To Put In My Car?
Choosing the right motor oil for your car is very important to ensure proper engine protection and to cover any conditions that may be required to maintain your vehicle’s warranty. Motor oil performance requirements for your oil change will be dependent upon the oil specifications by vehicle and this will be determined by the manufacturer. Motor oils are different and formulated to meet performance specifications and viscosity grade requirements.
Which oil you choose for your car will depend upon the vehicle, the model year and the engine type. Determining factors include the engine type gasoline or diesel, engine size or displacement, use of turbochargers or direct fuel injection, and incorporation of emission control components such as catalysts and particulate filters.
What Motor Oil Should I Use In My Car?
The best source of information is your vehicle owner’s manual. The manual will provide the necessary details on the proper oil viscosity grade (e.g. SAE 0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 or other) as well as the performance specification. Specifications will generally refer to ILSAC performance categories (such as GF-5 or GF-6) and/or API performance categories (Such as API SN, SN PLUS, SP). In these cases, there may also be pictures or symbols, developed by API, that you will find on motor oil labels. These can be used with the viscosity grades requirement, to confirm the proper choice. See an example below…
What about an Oil Change for A European Car?
We have specific Euro blends for each European manufacturer. In addition to the right oil, one should always change the oil at the frequency recommended in the owner’s manual or as identified by the oil life indicator on the car’s dashboard.
How Much Oil Should I Put In My Car?
The amount of oil required will be identified in your owner’s manuals. A second check will be the marks that are on the oil dipstick. After validating the amount of oil required the dipstick can be used to confirm that the proper amount of oil had been added. It is important to not underfill or overfill the crankcase to ensure proper protection.
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