Use our handy guide to work out what's the best engine oil for your car Show
 An important part of maintaining the health of your car’s engine includes taking care of the oil. It’s vital to make sure you’re using the right oil for your car, and that it’s changed when it’s due a service or your engine could suffer damage as a result. You can often find the right oil for your car by checking the owner’s manual or asking at your local dealership. There are also online tools where you can find out what oil is right for your car by the reg number, but it’s best to cross check this via another source as these tools aren’t always 100% accurate. It’s also a good idea to regularly check your car’s oil level via the dipstick, just in case it needs topping up between changes – especially before a long drive. Even if you’re a first-timer, the car’s handbook should include instructions on how to check the engine oil and how long to wait after turning off the ignition before an accurate reading can be taken from the dipstick. As a general rule you should wait a few minutes to allow engine oil to return into the bottom part of the engine after it’s been running. If your car’s engine oil does need a top up, you’ll be faced with a wide array of different oils on which can be daunting if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The types of oil used in diesel engines and petrol engines are completely different to each other, and turbocharged engines also tend to require high-performance oils to match. Matters can get even more confusing when choosing between ‘synthetic’ and ‘semi-synthetic’ oils and the multiple grades of oil available, so we’ve put together this guide to choosing the best oil for your car. What are the grades of engine oil?One of the most important things to get right when choosing oil for your car is the correct grade of engine oil. If you look at the label you’ll see a number of digits, such as 10W-40 or 5W-30 – and it’s these numbers that you’ll need to get right (see below). Those numbers refer to the viscosity – or ‘thickness’ – of the oil. Today’s oil is generally thinner, allowing the oil to flow around the engine quickly when the car is started, which helps to prevent damage caused by metal parts grinding against one another. Modern engines are built with finer tolerances and therefore require thinner oils. Thinner oils – those with lower viscosity – also help with fuel economy. Most oils carry two sets of numbers because they’re ‘multigrade’ oil. Additives in the oil mean it can change viscosity depending on temperature. The lower the first number, the better the oil will operate at low temperatures – hence the ‘W’ digit, which denotes winter. The lower the second number, the better it’ll operate at higher temperatures. You can also mix different oil brands and even different grades without severely damaging your engine. Having the wrong oil in your car engine rather than no oil is the lesser of two evils, albeit if you find yourself stuck and only able to access the wrong grade of oil, you should book your car for an oil change as soon as possible. Oil specificationsTo complicate matters, there is a range of different engine oil standards too, but it’s the ACEA numbers on each oil container that are most relevant. European (and many Asian) carmakers generally use the following specifications for petrol engines. Specifications for diesel engines are covered separately below.
How do I find the correct grade of oil for my car?The two best ways to find out the correct grade of oil for your car are to take a look in your car’s owner’s manual, or to give your local main dealer a call. By giving your main dealer your vehicle’s registration number, they’ll be able to look your car up on their system and tell you the correct grade in seconds. Take a look at the oil container to ensure the information matches up. It’s worth noting that some carmakers use their own oil specifications, and may list an acceptable alternative grade or specification that’s more widely available. This information will be listed in your car’s handbook. If you have any problems, you should call your local main dealer for advice. What is synthetic oil?Some modern engines require synthetic oils, which contain fewer impurities. Whether you can use them will vary from engine to engine, so take a look at your car’s handbook or call your local dealer to check. There are two main types. Fully synthetic oils offer what is regarded to be the highest performance for modern engines. Semi-synthetic oils contain a mix of synthetic and mineral oil. Synthetic oils are usually more expensive than standard oil, but that extra cost can be offset by the lower frequency at which they need to be changed. When do I need to change my oil?Some clear indicators that your car needs an oil change include; dark and dirty oil, loud engine noise and knocking, oily smells in the cabin and most obviously, if the oil change or check engine light is on. Some cars with worn engines burn through a lot of oil – a smoky exhaust can be a sign of this – and it’s not uncommon for cars to develop oil leaks too. If your oil level is dropping and needs topping up, you’ll require a trip to your garage for professional advice, but not before you’ve topped the oil up. You can also get ‘longlife’ oils, which are usually fully synthetic. These can last for up to two years or 18,000 miles between changes, saving you money by having longer service intervals. Always check whether your car is compliant before choosing the longlife oil option first. Do I need to change my oil filter?When you have a full oil change, you must change your oil filter - it’s an essential part of a service. The filter retains a small amount of oil, meaning that your new, clean oil will be contaminated with old, dirty oil if you don’t change it. That’s important because the primary reason for having your car’s engine oil changed is to remove those contaminants. It’s less important to change your oil filter if you’re simply topping up the oil levels, but you should always ensure your oil filter is changed whenever your car is serviced. How often and how many miles can pass between oil and oil filter changes varies from car to car. Check your owner’s manual or with your local dealer for more information. What is the best oil for my diesel car?Diesel engines have very different requirements to petrol engines, so you must ensure you use the correct oil for your car. It’s particularly important if your car is fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as anyone found driving a diesel vehicle without a DPF could be fined up to £2,500. As with oil for petrol engines, diesel-specific oil has a range of ratings, so check your handbook for the most correct one. Diesel engine oil:
If your car has a diesel particulate filter, you must use a ‘low SAPS’ oils or you risk blocking the DFP. SAPS stands for Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur – all substances which can build up in the DPF. Look for the following oils:
Each carmaker will choose the SAPS level most effective for their engine design and so will choose a different ACEA C rating as appropriate. Let us know if you've encountered any oil-related horror stories in the comments below and check our guide to fuel additives here... RecommendedMileage correction and car clocking: is it legal? Tips & advice Mileage correction and car clocking: is it legal?Millions of used UK cars have had their mileage changed. We uncover the facts about car clocking and mileage correction services. 21 Sep 2022 How to value a car Tips & advice How to value a carIf you're buying or selling a car, you'll want to know how much it's worth. So what’s the best way to find the true value of a used car? 12 Sep 2022 How to SORN your car with the DVLA Tips & advice How to SORN your car with the DVLATaking your car off the road? You’ll need to abide by the 'SORN’ laws. We explain what it means and why it exists. 5 Sep 2022 How to scrap your car, and get the best price Tips & advice How to scrap your car, and get the best priceHow to scrap or recycle your car, and what prices to expect from the scrap yard 30 Aug 2022 Most PopularPeugeot 308 SW vs Skoda Octavia Estate: 2022 twin test review Car group tests Peugeot 308 SW vs Skoda Octavia Estate: 2022 twin test review The new Peugeot 308 SW injects some style into the compact estate car class, but is it also a better load-lugger than the Skoda Octavia? 19 Nov 2022 UK fuel duty in line for 23% hike in 2023 News UK fuel duty in line for 23% hike in 2023 Petrol and diesel would become around 12p per litre more expensive if forecasted change were implemented 17 Nov 2022 All-new Toyota Prius unveiled for 2023 with sleek design News All-new Toyota Prius unveiled for 2023 with sleek design The fifth-generation Prius comes with plug-in hybrid and series hybrid power offerings 16 Nov 2022 How do I know what oil is best for my car?The owner's manual for your car will list its recommended oil weight, whether that's a standard format like 10W-30 or something more unusual. That number refers to the viscosity (or thickness) of the oil that you should use.
What kind of oil does my car take?How do I find out what oil my car takes? You can usually find the oil grade stamped on the engine oil cap, or you can find the type and grade in your car's owner's manual or maintenance guide. What car is 5W-30 oil for? 5W-30 engine oil is an extremely common grade and is used by hundreds of vehicle types.
What are the 3 types of oil for cars?There are four basic classes of engine oil when it comes to proper car maintenance.. Conventional Motor Oil. Conventional motor oil is the most common type of motor oil. ... . High-Mileage Engine Oil. ... . Synthetic Motor Oil. ... . Synthetic Blend Motor Oil.. |
Which oil is best for my car
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