What Type of Oil is the Best for Your Vehicle?

Yes, there are options for motor oil too. And a simple visit to the gas station will show you the picture. Oil types vary according to viscosity, grade, mileage, and, of course, price. The one you pick will ultimately determine the overall performance of your vehicle’s engine. Used cars in Greer, SC, sold by the top dealerships generally contain synthetic oil. Others suggest the cheaper version of mineral oil that does not carry a heft price tag. But both have their advantages and disadvantages and you should be buying the motor oil that your car needs. And how do you do that? Here is your answer.

First, check the recommended viscosity

Both synthetic and mineral oil will damage your engine components if the fluid is not of the right viscosity. In other words, in cooler temperatures when the oil becomes thick, viscosity is the measure of how easily it can still move from the tank to the engine’s combustion chamber. A wrong number can lead to incomplete combustion, sludge formation, jammed engine parts, and so on. Thus, checking for the recommended viscosity is step one. The oil filler cap will have a group of figures etched as “5W-30”. This should match the numbers written on your oil container’s label which you buy from the gas station. The figure preceding the word “W” is the viscosity rating of the oil while the one following is the weight of the fluid under warmer temperatures. In a used car in Duncan, SC, the oil filler cap may not carry such etched digits owing to a replacement. Refer to the owner’s manual then to note the recommended viscosity rating.

Synthetic vs mineral motor oil

Mineral or conventional motor oils are the standard oils sold by gas stations. Along with variance in viscosity, mineral oils come at different quality grades as well. If you had invested in one of the cheap cars for sale and have an average driving style, then mineral oils are perfect for you. A simple engine does not require a complicated oil. The investment is just not worth it. However, if you ride around within the city limits majorly, own a mid to full-size used SUV or pickup, generally haul a lot of loads or tend to drive in harsh weather conditions, mineral oils can no longer aid your vehicle’s performance. You will need chemically engineered synthetic oil where the molecules are uniformly shaped to combust without fuss and flow without obstructions. For a comparatively steeper price, you get better gas mileage, longer engine life, and near-zero sludge formation.

Alternative to synthetic oils

Despite the advantages, synthetic oils are unsuitable for many owners due to the price factor. For those, semi-synthetic oils are good alternatives that combine the extreme temperature-tolerant properties of synthetic oils and the basic features of standard mineral oils. Shoppers looking to invest in average-performing used cars in Greer, SC can consider semi-synthetic oils as the best option for them.

Still, for vehicles that have already seen 100,000 miles on road, synthetic oil is the way to go. The type’s protection against extreme temperatures, the efficiency of load-bearing without breaking down, engine-life extension properties, and deposit prevention win the case for synthetic oils. The top buy here pay here dealerships recommend this for a reason and you will have fewer worries regarding oil change, filter change, and so on, in the long run.