Information About Your Oil Change

Your owner's manual is usually the best way to know what sort of lubricant you need in your oil change. Usually, you will see numbers and letters. These are something along the lines of 5W-30, 10W-30 and so on. What this does is to indicate what sort of conditions are going to be in place for the different viscosities you'll notice. Usually, you can also find information right under your own hood. Look under the lubricant cap and you'll see your recommended lubricant, more often than not.

For example, say your owner's manual recommends that you use 5W-30 in pretty much every situation, save for extreme cold. You will usually find that it means that during your oil change, if the temperatures fall below around -20 degrees Fahrenheit, you will want to make the switch to a synthetic 5W-30, or even just going with 0W-30. Extreme temperatures are one of the more common reasons you would change the type of lubricant you are using in your own vehicle. Typically, if weather conditions remain consistent, you could probably continue using the same type.

However, you have to also pay attention to your manufacturer's standards. This usually means that the lubricants used in your oil change have to be certified by the American Petroleum Institute. Lubricants that are have a starburst logo and this will let you know that it meets standards that are not only up to date, but probably right in line with what your warranty requires.

Those numbers represent something. Basically, they'll tell you about the thickness of your lubricant, or its viscosity. Your manufacturer, again, will inform you of which works best for your engine, and most of the common ones are: 5W-40, 0W-30, 10W-30, 5W-30 and 5W-20. With something like a 10W-30, this means that the number 10 is the viscosity when cold. This is going to be much thinner than a 30 weight, which will help a great deal when the temperatures drop. This will help your engine to start up easier with less strain. The second number there, the 30 in this case represents it's viscosity when warm. This is to protect the engine at the higher temperatures. The W there shows you that the lubricant you're using in your oil change has been SAE certified for lower temperatures to be used in the winter months.

Some people say that the synthetic lubricants are a great benefit because they're made to be able to work with more extreme temperatures. Natural oils do have a tendency to break down much quicker when it's either extremely hot or cold, and this is due to contaminants and other things that just cannot be removed when they are refined. Synthetic is usually a little more expensive, but for some people, it is well worth the added protection. Many of the newer vehicles on the road today come straight out of the factory with synthetic lubricant already being used, so this is another thing you will want to look at your manufacturer's suggestion to better understand.