It can be confusing trying to determine which motor oil is best for your car, truck, or utility vehicle. Clark’s Car Care recommends that you start with your owner’s manual. You will find the oil type and weight recommendation inside. This does not mean, however, that you shouldn’t change your oil type under certain conditions. Let’s talk about the four different types of motor oil available to consumers below and the conditions under which you may wish to select synthetic over conventional.
Conventional
The most popular and commonly-used motor oil in the United States is conventional motor oil. This is the oil that is extracted from the crude found in oil drilling. This oil has been used for over a century in automobiles and other machinery to protect the engines. Conventional motor oil does an excellent job of protecting the engines in low-mileage vehicles that don’t have high-performance engines. It also works well in the spring, summer, and fall here in Naperville, Illinois.
High-Mileage
High-mileage motor oil contains additives to better protect older engines. The general rule of thumb is to switch to high-mileage motor oil once you have put 75,000 miles on your car, truck, or utility vehicle. This oil contains additives that are designed to extend your high-mileage engine’s life. These additives help to lubricate and protect the engine better as well as work to seal up any minor oil leaks. It’s not uncommon for an automobile to start leaking oil once it’s driven 75,000 miles.
Synthetic Blend
If you are looking for better protection than conventional motor oil but don’t want to spend the money on synthetic, consider a synthetic blend. This is a combination of both oil types that does not oxidize as quickly as conventional motor oil does. This oil contains additives to protect your engine but you will not reap the full benefits of synthetic motor oil with the blend.
Synthetic
Winter here in Naperville is a good time to switch to synthetic motor oil. The reason why is that this oil stands up to our cold winter weather without freezing. As such, it does a better job of protecting your engine quickly when you first fire it up. Many automobile manufacturers also recommend synthetic oil for high-performance vehicles. Synthetic motor oil is made in a lab and contains additives to reduce oil oxidation and improve protective properties.
Call Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, today to schedule your vehicle’s next oil change. We can discuss the best motor oil for your engine depending on the age of your automobile and the weather conditions outside.