Do you know how much you regularly spend on oil changes? An oil change is the most basic maintenance item for your car. The conventional rule used to be getting an oil change every 3,000 miles, but many newer cars have different standards. You should always consult your car manual for your maintenance schedule. At the very least, every few months, your vehicle will need an oil change. That is going to cost you a few bucks, and the cost can add up over time.
Newer cars are designed to run more efficiently and for longer than ever before. The average vehicle is designed to last for nearly 200,000 miles, with proper maintenance. If you want your car to last you should expect to spend some money each year maintaining it. Costs vary based on the brand of car you may have. Here’s a great chart from the consumer report to help you get a sense of the yearly cost of car maintenance for different brands.
The big choice you must make when you take your car for an oil change is to use conventional or synthetic oil. Conventional oil is cheaper, averaging around $70 for an oil change. Synthetic oil is a little more expensive. The price difference between conventional and synthetic oil is about $30. If your only concern is saving money, a traditional oil change makes sense. But this choice may end up costing you more in the long run.
According to AAA, synthetic oil is better for your engine. In a 2017 study, synthetic oil outperformed conventional oil by 47%. It is better at protecting your car engine from extreme temperatures, preventing deposit buildups, reducing oil slugging, and helps protect your engine when towing heavy loads. It’s also less likely to break down over time and can help prolong the life of your engine.
The oil you choose each time you get an oil change is significant. Motor oil is the lubricant that keeps your engine running well. If you decide to use cheap oil that doesn’t protect your car engine, you’ll likely be forced to pay for more repairs over time. Mechanics see this time and time again.
How do you choose the right oil for your car? First, check your car manual. It will list the oil weight that is best for your engine. This standard is the benchmark for where you start choosing your oils. Make sure the oil you choose is from a reputable brand by looking for the API (American Petroleum Institute) starburst symbol. You’ll also want to find the service standard, which is SL. This marker indicates the oil has passed the latest standardized API testing.
Next, you have to focus on the viscosity level that is best for your engine and how you drive. Motor oil thins in the heat and thickens in the cold. Consider the conditions you drive your vehicle in and how you drive when considering viscosity. You can find the viscosity number in the API service donut label, which will indicate if the oil has passed the energy-conserving test.
Once you’ve identified the type of oil that would be best for your engine, you still have a lot of choices. The motor oil market is full of products for specific vehicle engines and conditions.
There are many different types of motor oil, including:
Premium conventional oil is used in many new car engines. It is suitable for up to 4000 miles before a change is needed.
Full synthetic oil is best for high tech engines. It tends to be more expensive but can offer better long-term protection.
Synthetic blend oil is a mix of conventional and synthetic oil. It’s cheaper than full synthetic and can offer more protection than conventional oil.
High Mileage oil is designed for cars with an older engine that may have deposit build-ups and engine issues from years of use. A high mileage oil helps improve engine efficiency and protect the engine from damage.
Choosing the right engine oil is a choice you must make again and again for your car. If you want the cheapest option every time you get an oil change, your engine will suffer the consequences. We recommend some of the best oils out there, Valvoline motor oils. They have a variety of formulas that are designed and tested for every engine condition. Valvoline has been a leader in motor oil technology for nearly 150 years. All Valvoline oils can meet the five required tests for API and ILSAC testing.
Our team will recommend the oils that are best for your engine. Many of our customers are business owners with multiples vehicles or quick lubes that service all types of vehicles. The cost of regular maintenance can add up. That’s why keeping your cars in the best shape is so essential. We help our clients order the supplies they need to keep their fleets in tip-top shape and to help them provide everyday drivers the premium products they need to keep their vehicles running. If you have any questions about which types of oils to use, give us a call. We’ll make sure that you have what you need.