Oil Change: Which Product Is Best For My Car?

Posted: Jun 23, 2015
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

All oils are graded by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), with the highest grade number being 70. The higher the number is, the higher the viscosity. Often, the numbers are referred to as the weight. In addition to numbering, automotive oils that meet low temperature requirements have the letter ‘W’ after the grade number.

So, when having an oil change, the types can vary a great deal between vehicles and the environment in which they are driven. However, some common weights are 5W30, 10W20 and 10W30. Your owner’s manual will state the type of oil that should be used in your car.

As a car gets older, it needs oil that’s slightly thicker for extra lubrication. Over time, the engine parts wear and increase friction, so having a thicker oil change will help condition the seals in an older car. Oil thickness also changes with the outside temperature. In warm weather, it gets thinner, and it gets thicker in cold weather.

There are essentially 3 types of oil change products:

1. Conventional, which is organic and fairly limited in its capabilities
2. Synthetic, which has very few imperfections in its chemical composition
3. Synthetic blends – a good combination of conventional and synthetic. They are also less expensive than synthetics.

At Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center, we are proud to serve many communities in and around Hickory, NC. We specialize in auto repair, premier alignments and replacement tires. We also stock top-brand tires to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. For more info, please contact us.