Types of Motor Oil

Oil Change in Bend, OR

Don’t Toil Over Oil – Mountain View Imports

Once you discover that motor oil isn’t just a single product, the selection process might feel a bit overwhelming. In fact, perhaps it seems like hard work to choose what’s best for your vehicle and driving habits. If you live in the Bend, Oregon, area, however, there’s no need to toil over the oil. Bring your auto to Mountain View Imports. Our certified technicians will help you narrow down your choices so you can make a decision without feeling like you’ve done a hard day’s labor.

Oil 101: Understanding Your Choices

Though called by the common name “motor oil,” vehicle lubricants are actually divided into four categories according to their properties. Your options include conventional, full synthetic, synthetic blend, or high mileage lubricant. As the name suggests, conventional oil is derived from naturally occurring liquid crude from underground. It is best suited for newer or lower mileage cars with “normal” engines. Full synthetic oil is created chemically, originating from either highly refined petroleum or man-made compounds. This option offers the advantage of higher viscosity, the measure of how well the oil pours at room temperature. Higher viscosity oil is harder to pour than its lower viscosity counterpart, making it better at coating the hot moving engine parts. It’s also less likely to break down prematurely, allowing sludge to form, so commercial drivers often choose it for its ability to stand up to the rigors of hauling loads or operating under strenuous conditions. Unfortunately, full synthetic oil is much more expensive than conventional lubricants. For those who want improved performance at a reasonable cost, a synthetic blend is a viable option. It’s a mixture of conventional oil, synthetic lubricant, and some additives. Finally, high mileage oil works well for older vehicles that have traveled a lot of miles, so it is the go-to lubricant for many classic car owners. It also contains additives that protect the notoriously dry and leaky seals of older cars.

Letters and Numbers: It’s More Complicated Than Kindergarten

The Kindergarten curriculum has a heavy focus on numbers and letters. While you have a similar focus when you walk down the motor oil aisle in the auto parts store, the lubricant topic is a bit more complicated than Kindergarten discussions. You might wonder exactly what the packaging means. The letters “SAE” indicate that the Society of Automotive Engineers has put their stamp of approval on vehicle lubricant. This organization describes the viscosity of the oil at cold temperatures using numbers, and they use a “W” to stand for winter. Your car’s owner’s manual will give information about the motor oil the manufacturer recommends for your particular model. The best way to sort out the letters and numbers, however, isn’t to revisit an elementary classroom or make a guess as you stand in front of a shelf filled with options. Instead, bring your auto to the experts at Mountain View Imports in Bend, Oregon. We’ll discuss the options as they relate to your specific car and driving habits, helping you choose an appropriate motor oil without too much exertion.