How to Choose the Right Oil for Your Vehicle

How to Choose the Right Oil for Your Vehicle

Posted on September 20, 2018

Motor oil is essential for keeping your car's engine running
smoothly. It lubricates hardworking internal parts and minimizes wear on
critical components. It's vital to change your oil frequently, based on the
manufacturer's recommended service plan. But which oil is right for your car?
With so many varieties on the shelf, it can be a puzzling decision. Read on to
learn more about choosing the right oil for your vehicle.

Viscosity

Start your oil search by looking for the right viscosity. Engine oil comes labeled with a code
such as 5W-30. This designation refers to the oil's properties. Is it thin
enough to flow when it's cold outside and thick enough to work well when the
engine is hot?

The first number (5 in this instance) is the oil's viscosity in
low temperatures. The "W" stands for winter when you cold-start your
car. The next number represents the thickness of the oil at the vehicle's
normal operating temperature. Oil that's labeled 10W-30 has less viscosity
during extreme temperatures than one labeled 20W-50. Some oil viscosity grades
are only available in synthetic engine lubricants; for instance, 0W-20. Your
owner's manual will indicate which viscosity is right for your particular
engine.

Conventional Oil

The next step is to determine whether you want a conventional oil
or a synthetic formula. Traditional motor oil works well for many drivers and
most cars. Crude petroleum pumped from the ground is refined into the final
product. Once processed, it has the necessary properties to protect moving
parts and is quite inexpensive to purchase.

Conventional oil is an excellent choice for most daily driving
conditions like commuting to the office or the grocery store in your Chrysler
300. However, even the best oil on the shelves will eventually pick up
contaminants and break down from heat and friction.

Synthetic Oil

Many automotive experts highly regard full-synthetic engine oil. This type of engine fluid is
manufactured from petrochemicals to the manufacturer's exact molecular formula,
resulting in a higher cost for this product. Synthetics typically last longer
and work particularly well for vehicles — such as a RAM work truck or an
off-roading Jeep — that tend to be driven hard. However, it lacks that
noticeable performance boost you get with conventional oil.

A quality synthetic oil protects your engine in a wide range of
conditions and may hold up better over the life of your vehicle, especially if
it has a few miles on it. It's readily available in any automotive retail
outlet and is as safe a bet as you can make when it comes to lubricating your
car's moving parts.

Synthetic Blends

A synthetic blend of engine oil is just what it sounds like — a
combination of conventional and synthetic oils. This option is less costly than
full synthetics and gives car owner's a winning compromise between price and
performance. A custom blend of oil offers the specific properties your vehicle
needs based on the driving you do.

It matters which engine oil you choose. Use this guide to keep
your engine running like new with the right oil or visit Crosstown Chrysler Jeep Dodge for
assistance.