Don’t Let the Wrong Oil Drain Your Engine’s Power – How to Choose the Best Engine Oil?

Engine oil is the blood of your engine. Choosing the best oil for your vehicle is very important for your engine's long life and optimal performance. Just like the human blood performs vital functions in the body, engine oil plays a crucial role in the engine. It is responsible for lubrication, temperature regulation, and internal cleaning of the engine's internal components from combustion leftovers. Moreover, it reduces friction and minimises heat generation which is caused by the fast-moving components inside the engine.

Before we go into the nitty gritty of engine oil, take out your vehicle’s manual, where you can find detailed information about the oil essentials such as viscosity, certificates, and standards recommended by the manufacturer for your engine.

If you're not familiar with it, don't worry. We will start with the fundamentals.

Engine Oil Fundamentals

Viscosity

Viscosity is basically the flow at which the engine oil flows in different temperatures to protect the engine components. To bring it into perspective, imagine water and honey. If you pour them from a container, both of them have different flowing speeds - That’s what viscosity is. A higher viscosity level means the oil is thicker and more difficult to flow.

If you use an engine oil with high viscosity, your engine will become unresponsive. This means your engine will require more fuel to overcome the oil's resistance to flow and reach crucial engine components. Furthermore, the viscosity formats are printed on engine oil containers as “5W30”, “10W40” etc. See the image below to understand what this format entails. 

Standards and Certifications

Every engine oil needs certification to ensure that it aligns with the standards set by the automotive authorities. These standards provide guidelines for the formulation and testing of engine oils, ensuring that they meet specific performance criteria. Some major engine oil standards include:

• API (American Petroleum Institute)
• SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
• JASO (Japanese Automobile Standards Organisation)
• ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee)
• ACEA (Association of Certified European Automakers)

Therefore, when you spot the above acronyms on your engine oil bottle, you can be confident that it has been approved by professionals.

Types of Engine Oil

Engine oils are of three types - Mineral, Full-Synthetic, and Semi-Synthetic engine oils. Let’s understand the difference between them.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is the most basic type of engine oil and is made out of crude oil. Although mineral oil is affordable, its performance advantages are limited. However, mineral oils are often used in automotive engines and are specifically recommended for older engines.

Synthetic Oil

Fully synthetic oil is developed in laboratories by combining several additives and chemicals that work together to provide greater friction protection, regulate thermal efficiency, and extend the life of internal components. Fully synthetic engine oils outperform in severe temperatures and offer superior engine protection. This is also why engines that use 100% synthetic oil will require longer service/oil change intervals.

Semi-Synthetic Oil

Semi-synthetic oils are the compound of mineral and synthetic oils that provide a good balance of performance and cost. It outperforms mineral oil but falls short of full synthetic. These oils are ideal for transitioning from mineral oils to more contemporary mixes in older engines. They assist these engines run cleaner by adding detergents that decrease the accumulation of combustion residues. 

Now, that you have a good understanding of engine oils, let’s jump right into the main topic -

How to select the best engine oil for your vehicle?

To select the best engine oil for your vehicle, you have to consider several factors including: 

Vehicle Manufacturer Guidelines

Specific oil recommendations are provided by the manufacturer of your vehicle and are usually located in the owner's manual. Depending on the engine design and intended use, the guideline includes the preferred viscosity grade and type (mineral, semi-synthetic, or synthetic). In addition to better engine performance, the majority of contemporary engines have now shifted to entirely synthetic engine oils to reduce the frequency of oil changes.

Different Driving Conditions

The way you drive your vehicle can influence the type of oil which is best for the engine. When you use to drive your vehicle in cities with hot weather with frequent starts and stops, the engine produces significant heat and stress. This is the reason for wear and tear of engine components which is why thermally stable synthetic oil suits best for these conditions.

Moreover, oils with high detergent content are recommended for highway use or driving situations requiring greater torque and performance, such as off-road driving. Furthermore, for older vehicles, mineral oil would be more appropriate as these vehicles are not used regularly or on a daily basis.

Climate Conditions

For cold weather, low-viscosity oils, such as 5W30, are perfect since they are thinner and flow freely in a cold engine, which lessens wear at engine ignition. When engine operating temperatures are low, these oils stay thin enough to circulate rapidly.

​On the other hand, in hot climatic conditions, oils having higher viscosity levels, such as 10W40, perform better since they retain their fluidity at high temperatures. In such conditions, they provide superior protection and prevent engine wear by ensuring proper flow and circulation to the engine internals. Highly viscous oils are designed to withstand the thermal stress of hot weather, therefore their thickness and poor flow rate at lower temperatures may be problematic to engines running in colder climates.

Vehicle’s Mileage and Age

Because of its superior, long-lasting protection qualities, synthetic oil is frequently advised for modern vehicles. You might want to look into oils with additives to prevent leaks from gaskets and seals and to safeguard aging engine parts in older or high-mileage vehicles.

CarBike360 Says

Choosing the appropriate engine oil for your vehicle is critical to maintaining the engine health, performance, longevity, and overall mechanical efficiency. Whether you use mineral oil, synthetic oil, or semi-synthetic engine oil, choosing the correct viscosity and quality will help avoid engine wear, enhance fuel efficiency, and keep your engine running smoothly. There are various reputable brands on the market, so you have lots of options for finding the best engine oil for your vehicle. If you want to explore such brands, click here to visit and get full information about the available options.

Also Read: Best Engine Oil For Your Sports Bike​