The 4 Different Types of Engine Oil: Which Is Best for Your Car?

(Photo Credit: Pixabay)

Check out the four different types of engine oil, and how to pick the right one for your car.

Whenever your engine is cranked up and running, by-products from the combustion process will begin to contaminate the engine oil. If these contaminants are left to accumulate, they can settle into stubborn sludge and deposits in areas of the engine that are hard to clean. Using low quality engine oil or neglecting to change your engine oil at regular intervals will also lead to these stubborn sludges to form.

If components within your engine and its oil passages are contaminated, your vehicle performance, efficiency as well as precious fuel economy may suffer. Furthermore, these stubborn deposits trap heat inside the engine which is inefficient and adds an extra load on your engine.

1. Mineral Oil

(Photo Credit: Freepik)

Mineral oils are formulated in a variety of viscosity grades and quality levels. They are recommended for drivers with simple engine designs and regular driving styles. Drivers with a heavy foot or varied driving styles are highly recommended to go for synthetic oils, they have a longer service life and oil drain interval too!

2. Synthetic Oil

(Photo Credit: Pixabay)

Synthetic oils are chemically engineered, the oil molecules are therefore more uniform in shape with fewer impurities and better properties than mineral oils. As synthetic oils are formulated with higher performing additives, they tend to perform better at extreme ends of the temperature spectrum, be it high or low.

3. Semi-Synthetic Oil

(Photo Credit: Pixabay)

Semi-synthetic oils use a mixture of synthetic and mineral oils for added resistance to oxidation in comparison to mineral oil and at the same time provide excellent low-temperature properties for your beloved engine.

4. High-Mileage Oil

(Photo Credit: Pixabay)

High-mileage oils are specially formulated for older vehicles or newer vehicles with over 100,000 kilometres on the odometer. High mileage oils, with a special blend of additives and formulation, helps to reduce burn-off of engine oil and concurrently helps to prevent oil leaks that may occur in older or high-mileage engines.

Always follow your vehicle owner's manual to determine the correct motor oil specification, viscosity grade, and oil drain interval for your engine.

Read more: How to Check the Engine Oil in Your Car

Download the new Motorist app now. Designed by drivers for drivers, this all-in-one app lets you receive the latest traffic updates, gives you access to live traffic cameras, and helps you manage LTA and vehicle matters.