You don’t have to be a car expert or a mechanic to understand that motor oil is essentially the lifeblood of your vehicle. Fresh, clean oil ensures that your engine runs smoothly, and that your car performs to the best of its ability. What you might not know, though, is that your oil performs differently at different temperatures.
As temperatures drop, your motor oil begins to flow more slowly (or not at all), which puts a lot of undue stress on your engine during startup and operation. For that reason, it’s vital that you switch out your motor oil in the winter for one that’s designed to combat low temperatures. Continue reading to learn which oil is best for your next oil change in Conway, AR.
Look for the W
The W on the label of each motor oil bottle is probably the most important letter on the package. The W stands for winter, and is the motor oil’s cold weather rating that’s assigned by the Society for Automotive Engineers. The lower the W number, the better your oil will perform when it’s cold outside. So, for example, a 5W30 oil is a much better option than a 10W30 when the temperature is freezing. Experts recommend a 5W oil in the winter, but synthetic oils nowadays can have ratings as low as 0W.
Conventional or synthetic?
Motor oil is made up of 80 percent base and 20 percent additives, which provide engine protection, improve performance and more. The base can either be conventional, synthetic or a blend of both. After you figure out which W rating you need, the question then becomes which type of oil you want:
- Conventional: This standard motor oil will do just fine for most cars out on the road. It’s affordable, and it meets the recommendations of most car manufacturers. The only downside is that it most likely contains some impurities that can eventually build up in your engine and cause performance issues.
- High mileage: Does your car have more than 75,000 miles on it? If so, you might want to consider using high mileage oil. This is a conventional base with special additives that reduce oil consumption and help prevent leaks in older engines. It’s a bit more expensive, but if it helps keep your older car out of the shop, it’s worth it!
- Synthetic blend: Motor oil that’s a blend of conventional and synthetic is a good option for anyone who wants a performance boost without paying for full synthetic oil. These blends are also good for pickup trucks and SUVs that require higher-performing oil.
- Full synthetic: If cost doesn’t matter and you want the best for your engine, you should seriously consider choosing full synthetic oil. This oil has very few impurities, which makes it ideal for today’s engines. It also flows better at any temperature—low or high—ensuring that you won’t have any engine problems due to the temperature outside.
If it’s time for an oil change in Conway, AR, be sure to come to Riverdale Automotive. Not only will we use the ideal type of oil for your engine, but we’ll also perform a full inspection of your vehicle to ensure everything looks as it should.