It can be tricky trying to figure out the right motor oil for your car or truck for when you want to do an oil change in South Austin, TX. The best place to start is by checking your car's or truck's manual. The first thing you need to note is the suggested oil weight. Then the next step involves choosing a good motor oil brand.
American Petroleum Institute Standards
Check the bottle of motor oil to see if it has a starburst symbol. This symbol will indicate that the oil has been tested and has met the API—American Petroleum Standards. There should also be a 2-character service designation on the label. Your final step is to choose an oil with a suitable viscosity for your vehicle.
Choosing Oil Viscosity
Motor oil in your engine will thin as it heats up, and thicken as it cools. This is why you need to choose an oil that functions well in either type of environment. A 10W-30 oil will have less viscosity when cold or hot than 20W-50 does. If it seems confusing which to choose, check your manual or ask your service technician at Austin's Automotive Specialists who do oil changes in South Austin, TX.
Synthetic, Conventional, or Blended Oil?
Besides the other options, you also have choices of oils that are either conventional, synthetic, or a blend of the two. Usually fully-synthetic oil is recommended for brand new cars. The fully synthetic type of oil has become the standard as engines have become more fuel efficient and complex. They also work great at extreme low and high temperatures. The downside is that they're expensive. Older models can use blended oils or conventional, non-synthetic. If you're not sure what works best for you, check your user manual, or ask one of our experts.
If you're still puzzled over which oil to choose, then let the professionals at Austin's Automotive Specialists in South Austin handle your next oil change. Now you've crossed one worry off your to-do list and can be assured of a well-running vehicle when you have your oil change done in South Austin, TX.