There are a handful of oil types on the market, which can make picking the perfect one for your automobile difficult. Start by checking your owner’s manual. The manufacturer will recommend the oil type for your specific engine. For example, Audi recommends synthetic motor oil for Audi engines. Unless synthetic is specified, you can choose from any of the four motor oil types available on the market. Let’s talk more about each type below and their advantages.
Conventional
The advantage of conventional motor oil is that it is the least expensive on this list and it is also tried and true. Conventional motor oil has been produced for well over 100 years. It is the most popular motor oil on the market, and it does an excellent job of protecting standard engines. This oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles to ensure it remains clean and viscous. Thankfully, the oil is not that expensive so the service is affordable, as well.
High-Mileage
The advantage of high-mileage motor oil is that it contains additives to protect an older engine better than conventional oil does. For example, high-mileage oil prevents grime from building up inside the engine and affecting the operation of moving engine parts. It also helps to prevent the engine from springing an oil leak, which can happen in older engines. This motor oil should also be changed every 3,000 miles to make certain that the older engine is protected adequately.
Synthetic
The advantage of synthetic motor oil is that it does not need to be changed as often as the previous oils on this list. You can go 5,000 miles between oil changes if you use synthetic. Synthetic motor oil also contains additives that protect high-performance engines better than conventional motor oil does. These additives also help synthetic motor oil stand up to extreme exterior elements such as freezing temperatures or excessive heat. This added protection will cost you more than conventional oil, however.
Synthetic Blend
To help save a little bit of money, you can choose a motor oil that is a synthetic blend. This means that synthetic oil is mixed with conventional oil so you have the best of both worlds. This motor oil will last a bit longer than 3,000 miles between oil changes and cost less than full synthetic motor oil. This being said, you will not have all of the benefits of full synthetic motor oil.
If you are still stuck, schedule an oil change with our shop and we will talk with you about the best motor oil for your automobile.
