How Do I Know What Engine Oil To Put In My Car?
Why Is It Important To Know The Correct Engine Oil For Your Car
This is a question we get asked a lot and it is extremely important. It's good to know how to check engine oil beforehand else the repercussions could be very bad for your engine. You could even lower the vehicle's engine longevity as well as needing an entirely new engine in certain scenarios.
How To Know What Engine Oil Your Car Needs
The first step to knowing what engine oil your car needs is to find out what type of engine oil it takes. The type of engine oil you need will depend on the car's make and model. To find the type of oil your car needs, check under the hood for an engine oil dipstick. This dipstick will tell you what type of oil your car uses, and what quantity it needs. For example, if a car has a 5-quart engine oil reservoir and only takes 2 quarts from that reservoir, then its engine uses 0.7. quarts per 100 miles.
Your Vehicles Handbook
Your car's handbook will also list the specifications and grades of engine oil that your car requires. You should check this before buying or changing any engine oil to make sure you get the right one. If you're still struggling to find the right oil for your car, you could try the parts department of your car manufacturer's dealer.
What Are The Most Common Engine Oils
5W30 and 5W40 oils are amongst the most common types of engine oil that you might come across. The '5' at the start means the viscosity in cold weather and the “W” after refers to “winter”. The ending numbers for this example are “30” or “40” which refers to the oil flow at high engine temperatures. It is common for newer petrol engines to be “30”, while “40” is often for older models or diesel cars.
Which Cars Are Compatible With The Most Common Engine Oils
5W30 and 5W40 oils are compatible with most cars, common models being VW Golf, Honda Civic, Ford KA, and Ford Focus. 0W-30 oil is similar to 5W-30 but will be less viscous at lower temperatures. This oil is recommended for certain Vauxhall Astra, Vauxhall Corsa, and MINI Cooper models.