Which oil is right for your car?

Which oil is right for your car?

When it comes to choosing an engine oil for your car, it's easy to get confused by the different brands, acronyms and specifications. If you decide to change your oil, it's best to first check the information in your vehicle's manual and determine which engine oil the manufacturer recommends you use. You also need to take into account the weather conditions under which the vehicle is operated and then move on to selecting a particular brand of oil.

What to choose synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral engine oil

Conventional synthetic oil is most commonly used in new vehicles and comes in several viscosity grades. Car manufacturers typically advise using 5W-20 or 5W-30 oils for regions with predominantly cold weather, with 10W-30 as an option for warmer weather. These three types of oil are suitable for almost any passenger car you see on the road. It's just as important to change your oil and filter regularly. The best option is to change after 6000-7000 km or every 4 months.

High tech synthetic oils are made specifically for high performance engines on high speed vehicles. They are subjected to rigorous special testing and provide superior performance in terms of durability and efficiency in all critical areas from viscosity index to sludge protection. They perform better at low temperatures and retain excellent lubricity at high temperatures.

Semi-synthetic oils contain a dose of synthetic oil blended with mineral oil. They are designed for protection against more intense loads and high temperatures. This usually means they are less volatile, so evaporate much less, which reduces oil loss (and increases fuel economy).

Viscosity index

The resistance to dilution with increasing temperature is called the viscosity index. And while a higher second number is good, the oil should also be reliable. It should last thousands of miles until the next oil change. Oil tends to lose viscosity from sliding movements between closely spaced metal surfaces of moving parts like bearings, so it must be resistant to viscosity loss to maintain a lubricating film between these parts.

Unlike antifreeze, which is a 95 percent single-base chemical, petroleum-type motor oil contains a mixture of several different base oils, some of which may cost more than others. Oil companies typically choose from five groups, each of which is produced differently and differs in viscosity. The more expensive groups are processed with more expensive processes, in some cases with the methods used to produce synthetic lubricants. So-called full synthetics contain chemicals that can be derived from oil, but they are so modified that they can no longer be considered natural oil.

How to choose the right product?

Lubricants from Valvoline have very good performance and characteristics, but you should approach the purchase of the product with the utmost care, as there is a possibility of buying a lubricant that is not suitable for a particular car in terms of its characteristics. The following tips can help with this:

first you should decide what qualities the lubricant should have for your car and then compare it with the technical parameters that are written on the box. If everything matches, then you can purchase the product;
particular attention should be paid to how the oil is packaged. The canister should be made of high quality plastic and all labels and stickers should be legible and evenly adhered;
it is better to buy lubricant from a reliable shop and if you have any doubts about the quality of the product, ask the seller for a quality certificate for the oil.