What Engine Oil Does My Car Need?

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts in your car to reduce friction.

That's why using the wrong engine oil can lead to reduced vehicle performance and even engine failure.

Read on and find out which oil type you should be using in your car, so you can keep your engine cool.

 

What Engine Oil Is Best for My Car?

Using the right brand of engine oil for your car is important - but not nearly as important as the viscosity grade.

You can refer to your vehicle’s owner manual to find out which engine oil viscosity grade is suitable for your car.

 

Engine Oil Viscosity Grades

Engine oil comes in various grades, which are designed for specific engine types.

The two most common grades are 5W-30 and 5W-40.

5W-30 tends to be used in newer petrol engines, whilst 5W-40 is better suited to older or diesel engines.

Both grades are compatible with many models. Some other cars will require a different grade – like 0W-30.

Some viscosities are designed for colder climates, others for warm temperatures.

You can use sites such as EuroCarParts to find out which oil you should be using in your car.

 

Engine Oil Types

There are three main categories of engine oil:

• Synthetic
• Mineral
• Part-synthetic

 

Synthetic

Most engine oil is synthetic.

Synthetic oil has a molecular structure that has been modified and refined so that it is durable and performs well.

 

Mineral

Mineral oil is more crude and cheaper than synthetic oil to manufacture.

 

Part-synthetic

Part-synthetic oil offers much of the performance of synthetic oil, with a much lower price tag attached.

 

Multigrade Oil

An oil with numbers either side of the ‘W’ - for instance 5W-40 or 15W-30 – is known as multigrade oil.

Multigrade oil can cope with seasonal temperature variations.

 

Monograde Oil

An oil with only a number in front of the ‘W’ or no ‘W’ at all is known as monograde oil.

Take 5W-40 as an example.

The ‘5’ refers to the viscosity grade at low temperatures.

The lower the number, the easier oil will flow through your engine.

The higher the number, the thicker the oil. Thicker oils will form a protective film across engine parts.

Engine oils marked with a ‘W’ - for winter – are more fluid at colder temperatures, making your car easier to start.

Oil that is not marked with a ‘W’ will work better in warmer months.

‘40’ refers to the viscosity grade at high temperatures.

A high grade means that the engine is properly protected in warm weather, but won’t be as fuel-efficient.

A lower number makes the oil more effective at reducing friction and saving you money at the pump.

 

What Colour Is Car Engine Oil?

New engine oil will usually have a golden or amber colour.

It will turn brown or black when in use – you don’t have to worry about this.

If your oil is milky, however, this can be a sign that there is a head gasket leak which needs to be addressed.

 

How Do I Check My Car's Engine Oil?

To check your car’s engine oil, you'll need:

• A kitchen towel
• A bottle of engine oil
• A funnel
• Nitrile gloves

Park your car on level ground – to ensure you get an accurate oil reading - and switch it off.

The engine should be cool, so wait 5 to 10 minutes if you’ve just driven the car.

Do not check under the bonnet with the engine still running.

   

Open the bonnet and find the plastic handle of the dipstick – a long piece of metal with a loop which you can hold.

Remove and clean the dipstick using some kitchen towel.

You will see 2 marks notched into the dipstick for the min and max oil levels.

Replace the clean dipstick and push it all the way back into its tube.

Pull it back out to check where the oil line is in relation to the notches on the end.

You should add some oil if the level is below halfway between the min and max marks.

Your engine oil levels need to be checked and topped up every three months or 3,000 miles.

 

How Much Oil Does My Car Need?

Generally speaking, the larger the engine, the more oil your car needs.

You can check your owner’s manual to find out exactly how much oil your car requires.

Here’s the average quantity of oil used in an oil and filter change for the following engine sizes.

 

0-1200cc = 3.5 litres

1201-1500cc = 4.9 litres

1501-2000cc = 5.2 litres

2001-2400cc = 6.1 litres

2401-3500cc= 6.4 litres

3500cc+ = 8.1 litres

 

How Do You Change Your Car's Engine Oil?

To change your car's oil, follow these steps:

1. Remove the sump plug and drain oil
2. Replace the sump plug once the oil has drained
3. Refill the oil to the correct level for your vehicle

The sump plug can be found on the underside of your car, meaning you’ll need to raise it off the ground.

Your oil needs to be changed once every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, or once a year.

Changing your oil won’t be effective unless you have your filter changed, too.

Oil flows through an oil filter which catches any debris, dust or metal that the oil picks up whilst moving through the engine.

The filter gets dirty quickly, making your oil less effective.

Book an oil and filter change at a professional garage to keep your vehicle running optimally.

 

 

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