Motor oil maintains one of your vehicle’s most essential components: the engine. It lubricates the many moving parts making up your engine, which prevents friction and heat that causes premature wear. Engines can also seize and stop working if they go too long between oil changes. Below you can familiarize yourself with the different types of motor oil so that you understand what keeps vehicles functioning.

Explaining Oil Labels

Motor oil is labeled in part by its viscosity, or fluid flow resistance, which also denotes the oil’s weight at different temperatures. Winter motor oil varieties have low viscosity since the liquid thickens in cold weather. Thinner oils withstand frigid weather to prevent coagulating issues that interfere with engine function. Summer motor oils have a higher viscosity, since hot temperatures thin the product too much, which prevents lubrication.

Motor oil receives a viscosity rating by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which reads as “XXW-XY.” The “XX” number refers to the viscosity rate when the oil is cold, while the “XY” rating designates hot weather viscosity. “W” stands for winter.

Types Of Engine Oil

Synthetic

Designed for high-tech engines, fully synthetic oils offer longevity benefits due to their low viscosity in cold temperatures and lubrication stabilization in hot temperatures. They resist chemical breakdowns, reduce engine sludge, and help prevent oxidation. Use synthetic oil if your owner’s manual calls for it since the product is expensive and may not fit your engine type. Full synthetic oils typically feature 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-40 labels.

Conventional

The standard car and truck oil, conventional versions offer decent engine protection, especially if the vehicle doesn’t face serious temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The product requires more frequent oil changes compared to full synthetics—at least twice a year, depending on driving habits and terrain conditions. An inexpensive, universal product, this oil usually has 10W-40 and 15W-40 SAE ratings.

Synthetic Blend

Synthetic blends combine conventional and synthetic motor oils. It’s a product that offers many of the benefits of synthetic oils without the high price tag. Their lowered volatility reduces the oil evaporation rate to increase fuel economy, with synthetic blends also withstanding low temperatures and heavy loads. They are subsequently popular among SUV and pickup truck drivers. However, you must run your engine for about 10 minutes to circulate the product before you start driving. Synthetic blends require fewer oil changes than conventional oil and usually feature SW-30, 15W-40, or 10W-40 ratings.

If you need an oil change, schedule service at Mullanphy Tire & Automotive. This full-service auto repair shop assists drivers throughout Florissant, MO. The experienced mechanics explain all work to clients and pride themselves on fair prices. Call (314) 921-4961 today to request an oil change or visit the trusted auto maintenance shop online for the latest specials.