Oil Change: What oil should I put in my car so as not to burn the engine? Does it matter what oil you put in?

A considerable number of drivers are unaware of the specific oil required for their car’s engine and typically rely on a visit to the garage for the oil change. Additionally, a significant portion of drivers tend to overlook regular car maintenance. Consequently, they only bring their vehicles to the repair shop when a breakdown occurs or when a warning light on the instrument panel prompts them to do so.

But being consistent with scheduled car maintenance has only a positive impact, while having some basic knowledge on it will extend the life of the car, save us unnecessary expenses from emergency breakdowns and of course reduce fuel consumption.

But to begin with, it is good to know what type of oil our engine uses. This is simple information that we will find in the car’s user manual. There it states the type of oil it has and, of course, when it should be replaced.

If for some reason you don’t have the manufacturer’s “booklet”, you can search online. Of course, you may find different answers there, so the best thing to do is to consult the official dealer .

But let’s take it all from the beginning. Motor oils are divided into mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic oils , with the latter being the most sophisticated and used by all modern cars. Then there is the viscosity of the oil which is about its fluidity and changes depending on the environment in which we move.

The lower the viscosity of the oil, the more suitable it is for cars that run in cold climates . If the viscosity is high, then it is suitable for hot climate areas.

Choose the type of oil the manufacturer recommends if you need to add some to the engine. It is possible to “fatigue” other mechanical parts, like the turbo, if you use oil that is not factory-recommended, which will decrease the engine’s performance and life expectancy.

Proper engine lubrication is a matter of vital importance, since it ensures a constant operating temperature , while the mechanical parts move properly and are kept clean.

For this reason and to ensure the performance of periodic maintenance on time, it should be non-negotiable. With these factors in mind, it goes without saying that you should only use the oil that the manufacturer recommends for your car’s engine.