Motor oil isn’t as cut and dry as it might seem. CAR FIX advises that there are four different types of motor oil on the market, all of which can be used in your car, truck, or utility vehicle. The exception to this rule would be if you drive an automobile that should only have synthetic motor oil used in the engine. An example of this is a BMW. Let’s talk about the different types of motor oil below.
Conventional
Most vehicles use conventional motor oil, making it the most popular oil on the market. One reason why conventional oil is used so much is that it has proven to protect engines for over 100 years. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Conventional motor oil needs to be changed more often than synthetic; every 3,000 miles is the general recommendation. This being said, it is also more affordable than synthetic oil and works excellently in standard engines.
High-Mileage
There is a specialized type of conventional motor oil on the market and that is high-mileage oil. This oil is designed specifically for high-mileage engines that have 75,000 miles on them or more. Using a conventional motor oil base, high-mileage oil as ingredients to help stop oil leaks before they start. It is quite common for an older engine to develop an oil leak. The best way to maintain your older automobile is to have the high-mileage oil changed every 3,000 miles.
Synthetic
Synthetic gets a lot of press, and with good reason: it’s an excellent motor oil. The reason why BMW recommends it for its engines is that synthetic contains additives that stand up to heat better than conventional motor oil does. Many BMWs are equipped with high-performance engines that run hotter. Synthetic is also an excellent choice if you live in an area with an extreme climate. For example, you want to put synthetic oil in the engine if the temperatures are below zero.
Synthetic Blend
Finally, you can probably guess that synthetic blend is a combination of synthetic and conventional motor oil. This works well if you are torn between the two and would like the benefits of both.
CAR FIX is Tennessee’s best auto service shop. We are a group of shops with locations in Cookeville, Crossville, Maryville, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge, TN. Call the CAR FIX location nearest to you to schedule your next oil change.
