Table of Contents
Introduction
Engine oil is an essential fluid that keeps your car's engine running smoothly and is a critical component in maintaining the health and performance of your car's engine. It lubricates the moving parts, cleans the engine, helps dissipate heat, and protects against wear and tear. However, with so many options available, choosing the right engine oil can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we'll provide a simple and easy-to-understand guide to engine oil, explaining what it is, how it works, and the criteria you need to consider when selecting the right oil for your car.
Part 1: What is engine oil?
Engine oil is a lubricant that's used to reduce friction between the moving parts of an engine. It's made up of base oils and additives. The base oils are typically derived from crude oil, and they provide the lubrication that your engine requires.
Part 2: How does engine oil work?
Engine oil works by creating a thin film between the moving parts of the engine. This film helps to reduce friction and wear, which in turn helps to prolong the life of the engine. The oil also helps to remove heat from the engine, which is important for preventing overheating.
In addition to lubrication and heat removal, engine oil also helps to keep the engine clean. As the oil circulates through the engine, it picks up dirt, debris, and other contaminants. These contaminants are then filtered out by the oil filter, which prevents them from causing damage to the engine.
Part 3: Criteria for choosing the right engine oil
When choosing the right engine oil for your car, there are several factors you need to consider. These include:
1. Viscosity
Viscosity is the measure of an oil's resistance to flow. It's indicated by the numbers on the engine oil bottle, such as 5W-30 or 10W-40. The first number has a “W” with it, and the “W” stands for “Winter”, it indicates the oil's viscosity at low temperatures, while the second number indicates the viscosity at high temperatures. It's important to choose an oil with the right viscosity for your car's engine.
If the oil is too thin (low viscosity), it won't provide adequate lubrication for the engine's moving parts. If the oil is too thick (high viscosity), it won't flow properly, which can cause the engine to overheat. Your owner’s manual will typically provide guidance on the recommended viscosity for your vehicle, or you can chat with us to have our product specialist find out which engine oil suits your car best.
2. Oil Type
There are three main types of engine oil: Mineral oil, Semi-synthetic oil, and Synthetic oil.
- Mineral oil is the most basic type of oil and is derived from crude oil (it can only last for 3,000 to 5,000 km depending on the country’s weather).
- Semi-synthetic oil is a blend of mineral and synthetic oils that can only last for 5,000 to 7,000 km, depending on the country’s weather.
- Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is made from a combination of chemically modified petroleum components and other synthetic compounds (which can only last for 10,000 to 15,000 km depending on the country’s weather).
Synthetic oil typically provides better performance than mineral oil, especially in extreme temperatures. It's also more expensive. However, not all cars require synthetic oil. Your owner's manual will provide guidance on the type of engine oil that's recommended for your vehicle, or you can chat with us to have our product specialist find out which engine oil suits your car best.
3. Approval codes
Engine oil approval codes are a set of standards that are used to define the quality and performance of engine oils. These codes are established by organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and are used to certify that an oil meets specific performance requirements.
Understanding these codes can be helpful when selecting the right engine oil for your car. The chart below show the timeline of API approval codes. (Last update on APRIL 2023)
- API SLFor 2004 and older automotive engines.2004
- API SMFor 2010 and older automotive engines.2010
- API SNFor 2020 and older automotive engines.2020
- API SPLatest API Service Category. Protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI).Current
API approval codes are comprised of two letters followed by a certain set of numbers. The first letter indicates the type of engine the oil is designed for. For example, "S" indicates that the oil is suitable for gasoline engines, while "C" indicates that it is suitable for diesel engines. The second letter indicates the age of the oil, so the later the alphabet, the newest the technologies are. For example, API SN is a more recent standard than API SM, and API SP is even more recent than API SN.
Each new API standard includes stricter performance requirements and new test procedures to evaluate oil performance in increasingly demanding engine conditions. However, it is important to note that newer API standards are not necessarily better for all engines. Some older engines may not be compatible with newer API standards.
Thus, not all engine oils carry approval codes, and not all codes are applicable to all cars. So when selecting engine oils, it's important to refer to your car owner's manual and select an oil that meets the performance standards recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Brand
When choosing engine oils, it's important to select a reputable brand. This is because not all engine oils are created equal, and some brands may not meet the same performance standards as others. Look for brands that have a good reputation for quality and reliability.
5. Whichever comes first
When it comes to making car maintenance service appointments, the foremost important rule is to refer to your owner’s manual and stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations for which services to perform and when to do so, then follow the car maintenance schedule.
For example, let’s say that the engine oil that you are using is synthetic, and it normally could last for 6 months or 10,000 miles, but you have been driving your car very often, and it reaches 10,000 miles in the 4th month. That means you will need to change your engine oil as soon as possible because the additive inside the engine oil has lost its effect.
Conclusion
Choosing the right engine oil is crucial for maintaining the health and performance of your car's engine. By considering factors such as viscosity, oil type, approval codes, brand, and the whichever comes first principle, you can select an oil that's appropriate for your car and help ensure its longevity. Be sure to consult your car's owner's manual or a trusted mechanic for guidance on selecting the right engine oil for your vehicle, or you can chat with us to have our product specialist find out which engine oil suits your car best.
