What Type of Oil Should You Be Using?

When it comes to oil changes, everyone seems to have their own method of getting it done. Your oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and needs to be changed regularly. At Larry H. Miller Used Car Supermarkets, we are offering to have the oil in your car changed in 30 minutes or less or it is on us. Although a challenge for us, this is something that we are more than capable of doing to make sure that you are getting excellent service done quickly.

With such a great service available, we have many customers who come in with questions about the different types of oil and how to tell what kind is best for their vehicle. We would like to offer a few facts that will give you better confidence the next time you come in to get your oil changed.

As mentioned before, there are many different types of oil. Each one contains different additives that help keep your engine, cool, calm, and collected. Much like taking a vitamin, the additives in your oil will help to keep your vehicle’s systems corrosion free.

Automobile oil is also rated based on its viscosity. This is the based on the oil density and ability to flow through your engine. There are two types of oil on the market: single-viscosity oil and multi-viscosity oil. Most cars are designed to run on multi-viscosity oil. The rating is given in two numbers, like 10W-40. The 10W refers to the rate at which the oil will flow in cold temperatures. The 40 is the rate in high temperatures. As a general rule of thumb, the lower the number, the better it flows. Pay particular attention to the first number before the “W.” In Utah, where we experience drastic changes in temperature, the lower this number is, the better your engine will perform throughout the year.

In a lot of older vehicles, single-viscosity oil is used. As single-viscosity oil does not have a detergent in it, there may be a lot of sludge built up in the engine, which means you may want to have it cleaned out. If your vehicle has only ever run on that type of oil, it is not a good idea to change to a multi-viscosity oil. Although it will break up the sludge, it will also move it to other parts of the engine, which could lead to serious problems.

The last thing you need to know for picking out oil is the Oil Classification Number. This is located in a starburst symbol on the oil container itself. It basically implies that the oil that you are using meets certain standards that are agreed to by U.S. and Japanese car manufacturers.

There are a few things you should watch out for when you are looking for an oil change. First, you’ll want to know if your vehicle is under warranty or not. That is information that you should receive when you purchase the vehicle. In some cases, if you do not use the recommended oil in your vehicle, it will invalidate the warranty on your vehicle. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for more details, or your service writer when you bring your vehicle in.

Many ask about the difference between synthetic versus non-synthetic oils. Synthetic oil is said to last longer, meaning you don’t have to have your oil changed as often. This has yet to be proven, but it is always good to check if there are benefits for using one or the other in your particular vehicle. But all vehicles will run on both.

With these few facts in mind, you can go into your next appointment with confidence knowing what the oil is doing to help your engine. Here at Larry H. Miller Used Car Supermarket, our trained service professionals are happy to answer any questions you may have about what’s best for your vehicle. We are always willing to help you find the perfect oil for your car, so make your appointment today so we can help keep you on the road.