How to Choose the Best Oil for Your Car

18 Dec 2024

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, essential for maintaining optimal performance and longevity of the vehicle. Many variables factor into which oil is best suited to your needs. If you’re wondering how to choose oil for your car, understanding different viscosity grades and oil types will make it a simple task. This guide will help you to navigate the process with ease.

How Do I Choose the Best Oil for My Car?

The best engine oil for your car will depend on the environment and temperatures you are driving it in, the specific tuning of your engine, and even the age of the vehicle. These factors will decide which oil viscosity is appropriate, and whether to opt for synthetic or conventional mineral oil. Some oils also come with additives to help extend their lifespan or improve performance. Manufacturer recommendations will provide guidance on making the right selection based on your specific vehicle’s needs.

What Oil Viscosity Should I Use for My Car?

Engine oil needs to provide adequate lubrication to your engine’s moving parts in a range of temperatures. Viscosity is graded for how easily it flows in lower temperatures - by its -W ‘winter’ rating - and by a second number rating its viscosity at hotter, engine operating temperatures. The higher the number, the thicker the oil and the greater its resistance to flow in each condition.

A typical automotive oil for a vehicle driving in temperate conditions might be rated 10W-30. In colder climates where temperatures drop to freezing, an oil with lower -W viscosity is needed to ensure sufficient lubrication on startup. For these conditions, a 0W-20 or 5W-30 would likely be recommended.

In hotter climates, a 10W winter rating is fine, but you would need an oil that remains thicker under high heat. This would prevent it becoming too thin and insufficiently lubricating the engine once it is up to temperature. A 10W-40-rated oil would be typical in such a region.

For heavy-duty driving, higher-viscosity synthetic oil is typically preferable. This includes driving over rough terrain or in poor air quality, or when frequently towing, travelling at high speeds, or hauling. The increased power required and subsequent load placed on the engine generates higher heat and pressure. These oils can withstand extremes of temperature and harsher conditions before breaking down, offering more reliable and consistent protection.  

Which Oil Is Best in The UAE?

The UAE experiences not only high temperatures but also dusty, dry air, so the best engine oil to cope with these conditions will have a higher viscosity rating in heat. This allows it to remain adequately thick in hot conditions, but also to cope with particles in the air that might enter the engine. For dusty or polluted air, driving in rough terrain, and in stop-start traffic, a higher viscosity oil will offer better protection and more reliable lubrication. Older engines, too, might benefit from a thicker oil, as it helps improve oil pressure and protect worn bearings.

Make sure to consult your vehicle’s manufacturer’s guidelines regarding which oils to use, as each engine is tuned differently. What is optimal for one in certain environmental conditions might not be the same for another. Our guide to why oil viscosity differs by region offers a more in-depth exploration of how oil flows.

Which Is Better: Synthetic or Mineral Engine Oil?

As well as an oil with an appropriate viscosity rating, you will also need to choose between synthetic or conventional oil. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, which can help inform the decision.

• Synthetic Oil

Chemically engineered to meet stringent standards, a synthetic oil will provide superior performance. It can withstand extremes of temperature better and provide better protection under challenging conditions. Some synthetic oils are even formulated to prevent sludge build-up and deposits, helping keep your engine clean. 

Synthetic oil is recommended for sports vehicles, four-wheel drives, and cars that operate in demanding conditions such as high speeds or on rough terrain. Due to its improved resistance to breakdown and the superior, longer-lasting protection it offers, it better meets high-performance vehicles’ needs.

• Mineral Oil

Conventional, crude oil-derived engine oil is considerably more affordable than synthetic oil. It is more prone to degradation, so will likely need changing more frequently than the alternatives. For older and low-mileage vehicles, mineral oil will likely be sufficient. It should be noted that it won’t perform as well in extreme conditions. 

• Synthetic Blends

A combination of mineral and synthetic oils. Synthetic blends occupy a middle ground, offering improved longevity and enhanced protection for less expense than fully synthetic oil.

For newer cars, high-performance vehicles, or if you drive in dusty air or stop-start traffic, synthetic oil is likely the better choice. If you’re on a budget and have an older vehicle, provided you observe regular maintenance, conventional oils can provide sufficient protection at a lower cost. If you choose mineral oil for your vehicle, make sure to change the oil more frequently than you would a synthetic one. Regularly topping up oil and checking it for clarity will ensure your engine remains properly lubricated and can run efficiently.

What to Look For When Buying Oil?

• API and ACEA Specifications

Besides viscosity and the choice between synthetic or conventional, oil specifications are crucial for compatibility and performance. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Association des Constructeurs Européen d’Automobiles (ACEA) issue these ratings, each focused on distinct engine requirements.

API specifications divide into "S" ratings for petrol engines and "C" ratings for diesel engines. Currently, SP is the latest API rating for petrol engines, designed to offer advanced protection, while older ratings (such as SM and SL) remain widely accepted but may not meet the latest demands. For diesel, the most recent ratings are CK-4 and FA-4, each suited to modern engines; specifications like CH-4 and earlier are largely obsolete.

ACEA specifications address various engine types and performance requirements, categorised as A/B for petrol and light-duty diesel, C for low-SAPS (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, and Sulphur) oils compatible with emissions systems, and E for heavy-duty diesel engines. Rather than denoting quality, each ACEA rating indicates compatibility with specific engine types and operating conditions. For example, A5/B5 oils are designed for high-performance, low-viscosity applications, while A3/B4 oils are for high-performance engines that require higher-viscosity oils.

• OEM Approvals

The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approvals an oil has received should also be clearly marked on the bottle, with relevant codes. These typically have the initials or name of the manufacturer followed by a number, eg. VW504.00; FORD 913A. These approvals signify that the oil has been tested by the manufacturer and found to suit the specific requirements of cars with those engines.

• Additives

Many modern oils come with additives designed to improve performance and offer extra benefits to the running of your car. These might include antioxidants that prevent degradation of the oil from oxidation, detergents to help keep the engine clean, and friction modifiers that minimise wear on engine parts. 

Always Follow the Manufacturer’s Recommendations

The most fundamental step in choosing the right engine oil for your car is to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Here, the manufacturer will have specified the correct oil viscosity or thickness, oil type, and API/AECA specifications for the vehicle, for the conditions in which it will be operated. Following these guidelines isn’t just in the best interests of your engine’s long-term well-being and performance. Keeping to these recommendations is also necessary to maintain your vehicle’s warranty.

Choosing the best oil for your car need not be an overwhelming task. Take guidance from the manufacturer’s recommendations and ensure your choice of oil is appropriate for the conditions you will be driving in. Look for the correct approvals and specifications on the bottle, and if you are ever in doubt, it is ok to ask for advice. 

Gulf Oil are experts in all things engine oil and vehicle lubricants, and are always ready to help. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns about which oil is best for your needs.