Should I Use Premium Engine Oil for My Car? - Vol.127
The question of whether one should use premium engine oil in a vehicle is one that many car owners ask themselves at one time or another. It is important to make sure that you read your owner's manual to see what your manufacturer recommendations are for the engine oil. In addition, it is good to know some of the advantages of using premium engine oil and what type of engine oils are available to consumers.
Understanding Engine Oil
When choosing your engine oil, you will want oil that has been tested and meets American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. You can see this by the designation on the oil container. In addition, the thickness, or viscosity, must be chosen based on your vehicle requirements. You can find the manufacturer recommendations in your owner's manual. SL and SJ are the most common API ratings and viscosity thickness is usually indicated as 10W through 40W. SL rated oils are made to deliver better high-temperature deposit control paired with using less oil. Introduced in 2001, SL oils are appropriate for all auto engines currently on the road. SJ rated oils are used for current vehicles 2001 and older on the road. It should be noted that diesel engines have different oil requirements and require applicable oil as designated in the owner's manual.
There are several types of oil for specific vehicle purposes and performance. There is oil for new cars, off-road vehicles, vehicles with high mileage, and performance vehicles. The viscosity is important because, if the viscosity (thickness) of the oil is too thick for the engine, it will take more energy to start the engine, thus decreasing the cars performance and making it more expensive and difficult to run. Therefore, it is important to know what type of oil to use in your vehicle to ensure that your car performs properly.
Premium conventional oil is typically recommended for new cars. Premium conventional oil comes in several ratings and viscosities; again, you must refer to the manufacturer's recommendation found in the vehicles owner's manual. However, 5W-20 and 5W-30 are two of the most common premiums oils recommended in most of today's cars. It is important to remember that oil must be changed regularly to keep the engine working to its best, regardless of the type of oil you use in your car. Oil changes are typically recommended every 3,000 miles on most cars that are driven between 15,000 and 30,000 miles annually.
Benefits of Premium Engine Oil
Premium oils are typically synthetic oil, not petroleum-based motor oil. This is because synthetic oils are blended perfectly for maximum engine performance. There are many benefits to premium engine oil, specifically premium synthetic engine oil. Some of the benefits include:
However, premium synthetic engine oil is pricey and is usually only recommended in specific type of vehicles including supercharged vehicles, higher performance vehicles, towing vehicles, and vehicles that are used in extreme temperatures.
- * Temperature resistance
- * Low temperature performance
- * Better engine performance
- * Longer oil change intervals
Choosing the right oil for your vehicle can be confusing at times. And the use of premium engine oil can seem appealing since we all want our investment to perform the best it can. However, though premium oil is an acceptable choice for many, it generally is not necessary for your car to perform properly. Be certain to consult with your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer recommendations. You may find that simply using the recommended oil and changing your oil at recommended intervals will keep your car running smoothly and properly without the added cost of premium engine oil.