The overarching message when it comes to selecting the best motor oil for your car and the way you drive it is to stay with the manufacturer recommendations regarding quality and viscosity.
In order to meet the needs of modern motorists, most motor oil manufacturers today offer four major types of passenger car engine oil: conventional, synthetic-blend (which is sometimes sold as an SUV, truck or minivan formulation, or as an “extra durable” formulation) full synthetic or high-mileage. Jamie Avers, Service Advisor at Holm Automotive, helps us understand the different types of motor oil and which is best for YOU and YOUR RIDE!
Which one is right for you; A, B, C, D or E? Lets find out.
A: I drive a regular mid-size sedan in generally normal weather conditions in generally normal traffic.
Conventional motor oil is petroleum-based oil that has been refined into a base lubricating oil. That oil is then blended with chemicals called additives that serve different functions, with most motor oils having 10 or so separate additives in a single formation. Additives serve to keep the oil viscous (or liquid) at low temperatures, keep contaminants held in suspension until they can be filtered out or drained out with the old oil, keep engine parts clean, etc.
This is the right oil for most drivers, your car will generally be just fine with conventional motor oil.
B: I drive a pickup or minivan that occasionally sees duty hauling the kids to soccer practice or towing the boat to the lake.
Synthetic-blend motor oil is a mixture of conventional petroleum base oil and a highly modified synthetic base oil that is specially formulated to achieve certain characteristics.
“The synthetic base stock directionally improves the oil’s ability to protect at temperature extremes,” Avers said. “High-quality synthetic blend motor oil may have better low-temperature protection- meaning it does a better job than conventional oil of protection ‘hot spots’ in an engine.”
Some motor oil companies market synthetic-blend products as “SUV, Truck & Minivan” or “Enhanced Durability” formulations. According to Avers, these products are very good for vehicles that are worked hard, especially during hot summer temperatures.
“If you regularly pull a trailer, or you load down the SUV with passengers before taking off on summer vacation, this would be a good product for you,” he said.
C: I drive a high-performance or sports car that I like to work out from time to time- maintaining the posted legal speed limit at all times, of course!
D: I drive a luxury car that is my baby. I don’t care what it costs to keep it in perfect condition.
Like synthetic-blends, full synthetic motor oil features a highly modified synthetic base oil. Unlike the blend, however, full synthetic motor oil is not blended with conventional petroleum base oil, but instead formulated exclusively with synthetic base oil.
“One of the benefits of synthetic motor oil is its ability to protect engines at temperature extremes. High quality synthetic motor oil has very good low-temperature flow, and it’s very good in its ability to protect hot spots in an engine,” Avers said.
For drivers wanting the absolute best in durability, cleanliness and protection from their motor oil, or for drivers who tend to work their vehicles extremely hard, synthetic motor oil is the way to go. “Keep in mind, too, that most new GM vehicles-2011 or later models-now actually require a synthetic or synthetic-blend motor oil meeting a specification GM calls “dexos.”
E: I drive an older car. It’s got more than a few miles on the odometer, but it’s like a member of the family.
What about older vehicles? Should they feel left out?
Absolutely not. Motor oil companies have a formulation dedicated to them, too. They’re called high-mileage motor oils, and they’re formulated for those older vehicles (usually with more than 75,000 miles on the odometer) that might be feeling the effects of years of use.
“High-mileage motor oils are manufactured with a seal conditioning additive that can recondition old seals that have aged, potentially stopping both internal and external oil leaks.
At the end of the day, these specially formulated high-mileage motor oils work a little harder than conventional motor oils do at meeting the special protective needs older vehicles have, reason enough to opt for them if you drive an older car.
Selecting the right motor oil for you and your car isn’t as complicated as you think. Though there are many unique drivers and vehicles, these days motor oil manufacturers are doing a good job or creating a motor oil specially formulated to meet you needs.
Of course, there may still be questions and we can help. Here at Holm Automotive we offer many different options of motor oil. From Sales and Leasing, Collision Center, Parts to Service Department we are always working to exceed your expectations and make sure you get the care you deserve. Oil changes are, for most, a quarterly stop. They are a huge part of the maintenance that you, the driver, have the most opportunity to extend the life of your car. Visit Holm Automotive today, or at www.holmauto.com. Remember, every 5th oil change is free!
Other questions or comments, you can visit us at 785-263-4000 and talk with one of our knowledgeable Service Advisers; Jamie, Chuck or Brian.
Abilene High School senior Jennifer Richter is this weeks Commendable Cowgirl! Jennifer is the daughter of Jack Richter and Angela Longbine. She was nominated by Mrs. Meneley for her welcoming and helpful attitude in class. Jennifer was noticed helping a new student not only to feel comfortable in a new school, but to help her get caught up on previous material so the she could easily get up to speed. This concern for others and her desire to treat people with respect is a great trait that is certainly deserving of this recognition. It is encouraging to see values like hers practiced by our young adults. Congratulations Jennifer!
