How to choose the most suitable engine oil for your car.
To ensure stable operation and extend the lifespan of the engine, choosing the right engine oil is crucial.
Engine oil is a type of lubricant used for engines. It is a mixture of base oil and additives. The proper functioning of a car engine depends on the quality of the engine oil. Engine oil helps prevent wear and tear, keeps the engine from overheating, increases its lifespan, and reduces engine friction.
Using good quality engine oil will result in a smooth and trouble-free ride, without serious damage. Conversely, using unsuitable oils can lead to significant deterioration of the vehicle's performance.
How to choose the right engine oil?
Many types of engine oil are available on the market, varying in brand and price. To choose the right type, it's best to consult the manufacturer's instructions. This information is usually found in the owner's manual. For older vehicles without a manual, owners can refer to the engine cover, where the oil is typically added during oil changes; this usually indicates the viscosity grade (SAE) or performance level (API) recommended by the manufacturer.
In fact, many people don't understand or misunderstand viscosity grades (SAE) or performance grades (API). These are two fundamental standards that need to be understood and considered when choosing engine oil:
Viscosity grade (SAE)
Engine oil bottles have markings such as SAE 10W-30, 15W-40, 20W-50, SAE 0W-40, etc. The number before the "W" indicates the temperature range at which the oil can start the engine, but this is calculated at sub-zero temperatures. In temperate climates, Vietnamese consumers don't need to worry about this specification.
The number after the "W" is important to consider. The larger the number, the thicker the oil; the smaller the number, the thinner the oil. Therefore, if you frequently use your vehicle for long journeys, you should choose a thicker oil because on long trips, the engine will get hot, and the thicker oil will thin out to the right consistency. Avoid using thin oil as it can cause the engine to overheat and make a "roaring" sound.
If the vehicle is only used in the city, a thinner oil should be chosen so that the engine can be easily restarted when the vehicle has to stop and start repeatedly at red lights.
API leveling
This is the standard for classifying the quality of engine oil for gasoline and diesel engines. The API quality grades for gasoline engines are SA, SB, SC, SE, SF, SG, and API SN.
API classifications for diesel engines are CA, CB, CC, CD, etc. The last letter distinguishes the grades and is arranged alphabetically. The later the letter, the higher the grade. For example, API SN is higher than SM, SM is higher than SL, and so on.
To meet the requirements of different vehicle types, owners should choose the highest possible quality grades, such as API SL, SM, or SN for gasoline engines and API CH-4 or CI-4 for diesel engines.
