Why It’s Important for Monroe Drivers to Change Their Oil Regularly

Whether you do basic runs around town or long commutes to Athens or Atlanta, you’re going to need to keep your vehicle well-maintained if you don’t want it breaking down when you need it most. One of the most important aspects of maintaining your car, truck, or SUV is the engine oil. Your particular vehicle and how you drive will determine what kind of engine oil you need and the frequency of having it changed—and ignoring this will determine how often you’ll need auto repair near Monroe.

Proper oil maintenance and the kind of oil you use will completely change how long your vehicle runs and how often key components need to be serviced or replaced. If you’re not entirely sure about the oil you’ll need, that’s okay; there are different types of oil for different types of engines. Maintaining your engine with the proper oil will help keep your vehicle running well and the parts operating efficiently, which will keep you out of a repair shop.

Engine Oil Types

There are four types of motor oil, the first being conventional motor oil for vehicles with classic internal combustion engines, especially naturally aspirated engines, diesel engines, or non-hybrid engines. One of the more popular types of oil is synthetic, preferred by modern vehicles; this oil is designed to operate better at higher temperatures and in performance engines put under strenuous driving conditions. There is also a synthetic blend oil, which has a similar performance to synthetic but with some of the properties of conventional motor oil, making it cheaper but still potent.

Finally, there is high-mileage motor oil, which is designed for vehicles that are reaching close to 100,000 miles on the odometer. The importance of high-mileage oil is in how it’s chemically mixed, so that the additives help reduce leaks and work as a sealant to protect older and more brittle parts of the engine. You can think of high-mileage oil as a protective motor oil for vehicles that are getting up there in age. If you drive an older vehicle that doesn’t have many miles on it, conventional oil may work out for you. Contrarily, if you’re a heavy commuter driving a newer vehicle, then synthetic oil is going to be the preferred choice.

Engine Oil Ratings

There are different engine oil ratings for different vehicles. Some engines may require a different grade of oil than others, and this all boils down to how the vehicle operates and at what temperatures. Basically, engine oil is rated by viscosity and temperature, and this will determine what kind of oil is best suited for your engine and how you drive.

You’ll note that most motor oil products contain the designation “SAE” followed by a number, the letter ‘W,’ a dash, and then another set of numbers. The SAE describes that the oil is rated by the Society of Automotive Engineers; the ‘W’ denotes what thickness or weight the oil operates at when starting up in winter; the last set of numbers denotes the thickness or weight of the oil when it reaches maximum operating efficiency. This typically looks something like “SAE 5W-30,” “SAE 0W-20,” or “SAE 10W-40.”

Looking at the first example, an SAE 5W-30 operates at a viscosity of “5” in the winter and acquires a total viscosity of “30” when the engine heats up. The importance of these “cold” and “hot” ratings is that, the thinner the oil is, the less likely it is to freeze in the winter, thus giving you better performance when starting up the vehicle and keeping your engine’s parts lubricated. During really cold weather, you don’t want the oil to clump up and freeze; hence, the lower the viscosity rating, the better it is during cold temperatures.

This means that 0W-20 is perfect for vehicles that have low- or moderate-performing engines, and you need thin oil for them, especially during cold seasons. The opposite is true for high-performing engines or when driving in really hot weather, where the oil thins out the hotter the outdoors or engine is, which is why thicker oil is better, such as 10W-60 or 15W-40, which have higher weight or viscosity both at start-up and at peak operating temperatures. If the engine oil is too thin during really hot temperatures or for high-performing engines, it runs the risk of burning up and burning out.

What Kind of Engine Oil Is Best?

The two biggest factors that will affect what kind of engine oil is best for your vehicle are the weather and the vehicle type. Given that Georgia’s weather is typically moderate or hot year-round, it means that you will want engine oil that thins out in higher temperatures but has an appropriate level of viscosity as the engine heats up the more it’s driven; hence, oils rated 10W-30 or higher would be better for our area. Since Georgia rarely sees freezing temperatures, having motor oil that performs better in warmer climates is a must.

Additionally, if you have an older vehicle with a naturally aspirated engine, conventional oil of the 10W, 15W or 20W rating might work out for you. As thicker or more viscous oil blends may prove to leak less even when operating under higher temperatures where they might thin out, as opposed to lighter or less viscous blends where, the thinner they are, the more likely they are to leak on older vehicles or vehicles with aging parts. However, a safe bet for almost any vehicle is a synthetic blend since it combines elements of pure conventional motor oil with additives to maintain its constitution under different circumstances. While it’s more expensive, fully synthetic oil is often used for modern vehicles, especially ones with a turbocharged or hybrid powertrain.

However, it’s always important to consult the owner’s manual to see what the right kind of blend is for your particular model and the recommended viscosity rating so you know you’re using the right oil. You never want to blindly put in motor oil that may not be right for your kind of vehicle or the kind of driving that you do. For instance, if you have a high-performance Mustang that you drive in the summer, you will want a thicker synthetic oil to protect the engine, as opposed to if you drive a compact SUV for year-round commuting, wherein a slightly thinner synthetic blend might work best.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

Oil changes for most vehicles are recommended every 5,000 through 7,500 miles. If you do a lot of towing and put your engine through a lot of toil, then it might be best to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, especially if you’re running conventional motor oil, where it’s more likely to pick up particulate matter than synthetic blends. If you do light driving around the city—maybe only to pick up kids from school, occasional shopping, or maybe a trip to local events every so often—then you can actually go as far as 10,000 miles before needing an oil change, especially if it’s running full synthetic oil on a newer vehicle.

You should never avoid getting the oil changed; this is easily one of the most important factors for keeping your vehicle running. It helps lubricate the parts within the engine so that it doesn’t overheat, lock up, or break down. Having a properly oiled engine is an absolute must, whether you’re driving a subcompact sedan to get to work, a midsize town car for daily driving, a full-size pickup truck for towing and hauling, or a large SUV for the family. Even if you have a hybrid, it’s still important to change the oil regularly to keep the mechanical components operating efficiently.

Visiting the Right Auto Repair Shop for Your Oil Change

If you’re looking for a good auto repair shop near Monroe that offers different blends and grades of motor oil for your car, truck, van, or SUV, then you definitely want to pay us a visit for great deals and service. If you have questions about our services, the oil grades and brands we carry, and the type of oil that best suits your vehicle, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Loganville Ford, we’re more than happy to help you find great deals on the right engine oil for your vehicle.