You don’t need to visit an auto mechanic to check your engine oil and add more if needed. But you might need someone to help you choose the right kind of oil to use for your car. If you’ve ever walked into an auto parts store and visited the oil aisle, you’ll see more brands and types than you imagined possible. Don’t freak out!
4 Tips To Help You Pick the Best Oil for Your Engine:
- Check Your Service History
Check receipts for past service or look for stickers on your car. When you take your car in for an oil change, many shops will slap a sticker on the upper corner of your windshield to remind you when to change your oil next. This usually includes the kind of oil they last used. If that’s not there, it’ll say on your last service receipt. If you’ve been using the same kind of oil for years and haven’t had any trouble, changing up to a multi-viscosity oil might throw a wrench in the works by loosening up accumulated sludge. This can cause more damage than good.
- What’s the Weather Like?
If you live in a part of the country that experiences drastic temperature changes or gets really cold, you might want to go with an oil that performs better in those conditions. This is determined by the oil’s viscosity, which is just a fancy word to describe the thickness of the oil.
- Check Your Manual
If you don’t have an owner’s manual for your car, get online and find out what your car’s manufacturer recommends for your make and model. Deviating from the carmaker’s suggestion can be done, but be warned – you could void your engine warranty by using the wrong kind of oil and causing damage to your engine.
- Stay Away From Generics
There’s a reason you’re familiar with names like Castrol, Mobile 1, Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Valvoline. That’s because they’ve been around a long time and have a good reputation for making a quality product. Some of their web sites have a knowledge base to determine what oil is appropriate for your car, such as Castrol.
Did You Know…?
The claim that synthetic oil keeps your engine cleaner and gives you better gas mileage is thought by many professionals to be a total myth. Some synthetic oils may not work well for older cars with high mileage.
If after all of this you’re still unsure about what kind of oil to put into your engine, don’t just pick up any old kind. Talk to an auto mechanic instead. They’ll be able to tell you the best engine oil for your make and model – and if they were the last shop to change your oil, they’ll also be able to tell you what they used so that you can match it up exactly. If you are due for an oil service and want to find a trustworthy mechanic local to you, look no further than Openbay.
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