What type of oil is best for my car?
You’re driving along, just minding your own business. Out of the corner of your eye you spot a little sticker on your windshield provided by the service station a while back. You squint at it briefly, trying to keep your eyes on the road. What does it say? You reach your destination, park, and as you exit the car you read the sticker more closely. Dang! Oil change time!
Regular Auto Maintenance is the Key
No biggie, you think. Oil changes don’t take very long and often times you don’t even need an appointment. So a few days later, you drive to your local service station, pull in and tell the service advisor, “time for an oil change”. They respond, “Great. Regular or synthetic?
Dumbfounded, you ask what they would recommend. Wouldn’t it be best to know what oil is best for your particular vehicle and why?
“Having your oil changed regularly is one of the easiest things you can do to preserve the life of your vehicle,” says Luis Roman, Assistant Service Manager at Smart Motors. “Oil is your vehicle’s lifeblood.”
Roman says oil is what keeps the components of the engine working efficiently. It also reduces the accumulation of varnish and carbon from collecting in the engine. In order to protect and keep your engine running smoothly, oil collects heat, varnish and carbons. By doing this, and over time, the oil becomes dirty and the additives get depleted. When this happens, the oil is no longer helpful in maintaining the health of the engine.
“That’s why you need to change the oil regularly,” says Roman. “And don’t forget to change the oil filter too. Without regular maintenance your engine will seize up and die. And you really don’t want that to happen!”
What Is The Difference Between Regular And Synthetic Car Engine Oil?
But back to the hard question: regular or synthetic oil? There actually is an easy answer for most car owners. Synthetic oil should be used in newer cars, as most engines are manufactured to operate best with it.
“Synthetic oil is better than conventional oil when it comes to longevity,” says Roman. “It’s also able to handle extreme high temperatures without breaking down.”
So, if synthetic oil is the way to go, why offer conventional oil? Why not use synthetic oil in every vehicle?
“Not a good idea. Engines in older vehicles were designed for regular/conventional oil usage,” says Roman. “It’s best to follow the manufacturers recommendation and stick to it. The last thing you want to do is void the manufacturer’s warranty by using an oil not recommended for your specific vehicle.”
Vehicle Owners Manual
Roman says the easiest thing for consumers to do is consult their vehicle’s owner’s manual. It should specifically state what type of oil is best for your engine. You can also consult with the mechanics at your dealer or service station. They will be able to recommend the proper oil, plus they might share the good news that you can drive further than the traditional 3,000 miles before you’re due for another oil change.
About Smart Motors Toyota
Smart Motors was founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart and is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the mid-west’s largest hybrid dealer and one of Wisconsin’s largest volume Toyota dealers. Located at 5901 Odana Road, Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motor Sales for superior customer service & sales volume. For more information visit their history page.
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