Which Motor Oil Should You Use?

Choose the Right Motor Oil for Your Car

Motor oil lubricates the engine, as well as cools, cleans, and protects it. It’s important to follow a regular car maintenance schedule, and part of that is knowing how often to get an oil change.

Conventional, Synthetic, or Blend?

When choosing a motor oil for your vehicle, there are multiple options on the market today. Which motor oil you choose goes beyond just the brand. Today there are different types: conventional, synthetic, and synthetic blend. You should also consider the age of your vehicle and whether you’ve been using conventional or synthetic oil the entire life of the vehicle. Changing from one type to another could cause problems.

Can You Mix Oil Types?

Additionally, mixing synthetic and conventional oil is not a great idea. You can mix synthetic and conventional oil – but should you? Barring an emergency, it’s not a great idea. All motor oil – synthetic or conventional – is a combination of oils and additives.

Use the correct type of motor oil to keep your car running well and reduce the amount of engine repairs needed. This infographic will help you understand the differences, and you can find motor oil recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual.

Which Motor Oil Should You Use?

Conventional Oils

Conventional oils consist of oils processed from natural petroleum with additives to reach a clean usable base state. “W” means “winter” and the numbers are the low and high temperatures at which the oil can safely protect the engine.

5W30 Motor Oil

  • Average low below 0 degrees.
  • Improves cold starting and fuel economy.
  • Can reach components quickly.
  • Oil changes required more frequently.
  • Least expensive.

10W30 Motor Oil

  • Average low above 0 degrees.
  • Good for year-round driving.
  • Oil changes needed more frequently.
  • Least expensive.
  • (10W-40 tends to break down faster.)

20W-50 Motor Oil

  • Average low exceeding 20 degrees.
  • Provides better protection at higher temperatures.
  • Oil changes more frequently.
  • Too thick for cold weather below 32 degrees.

Synthetic Oils

Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

  • Contains fluid additives blended with conventional oil.
  • Provides better hot and cold temperature performance.
  • Less viscosity breakdown over time.
  • Oil changes needed less frequently.
  • Good for newer and high performance vehicles.
  • Good for vehicles with more than 75,000 driving miles.
  • More expensive.

Synthetic Motor Oil

  • Provides better hot and cold temperature performance.
  • Less viscosity breakdown over time.
  • Oil changes required less frequently.
  • Good for newer and high-performance vehicles.
  • Good for vehicles with more than 75,000 driving miles.
  • Most expensive.

AAMCO Colorado Oil Change Service

Schedule an oil change at your local AAMCO service center.


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