Auto repair- choosing the right engine oil

Getting an oil change is a fairly simple car maintenance technique that can easily extend the life of the vehicle's engine. Because of this simplicity, many vehicle owners will attempt to perform an oil change themselves, without the help of an auto repair professional. While this is ok, some car owners will do more harm than good by using the wrong motor oil.

All motor oils are not created equally; there are many different formulas and additives that are only effective for certain engines. Furthermore, most car owners do not understand the difference between synthetic and conventional motor oil, and why a vehicle would make better use of one over the other during auto repair. Conventional motor is processed from petroleum, or crude oil. The crude oil is separated and processed at an oil refinery to create the thinner oil that is used in motor engines. This base stock that is used to create the conventional formula contains small amounts of contaminants, creating a fuller body and less viscosity. On the other hand, synthetic oil is created in a laboratory, eliminating the contaminants found in conventional lubricant. This lack of contaminants allows the lubricant to flow a little more freely, which is ideal for extremely cold environments where conventional oil is more likely to freeze. There is also synthetic blend oil, which is a combination of both. Most vehicle manufacturers will recommend synthetic motor oil for newer vehicles, especially for high performance engines with high compression, higher operating temperatures, and tight engine tolerances. However, the viscosity of conventional lubricant makes it more ideal in older engines, which needs the protection of the thicker oil to keep the engine parts lubricated.

Both types of engine oil use additives to help improve the performance of the engine. While conventional motor oil is better for older engines, detergents can also be added to help clean the engine, in addition to keeping the parts lubricated. In fact, there are additives that will help improve the viscosity of conventional oil, since these lubricants tend to flow a little slower in cold environments. This is why synthetic oil blends are so useful, because they share the qualities of both conventional and synthetic lubricants.

Always read the manufacturer's handbook before performing an oil change for your vehicles, or before undergoing any sort of auto repair. This is especially important for newer vehicles because many manufacturers will void their warranty if the wrong motor oil is used. For older vehicles, it is equally as important to consult with a professional auto mechanic to help determine which motor oil will be best for the engine. Fortunately, the cost of the motor oil is covered in the price of a typical oil change, so if you do not feel comfortable with choosing the right lubricant, there is no harm is getting an oil change from a professional service provider.