Maintain your engine’s health by avoiding common oil mistakes. Use the right viscosity and follow manufacturer guidelines for performance and longevity.
Your car’s engine has many moving parts, and engine oil is what keeps them all working together smoothly. One of the most critical properties of engine oil is its viscosity, which is its resistance to flow. Using the correct viscosity helps protect your engine and allows it to perform at its best. This guide will walk you through the top mistakes when choosing engine oil viscosity.
1. Ignoring the Manufacturer’s Recommendation
One of the biggest mistakes is disregarding the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines. Your car’s owner’s manual specifies the ideal oil viscosity for your engine, determined through extensive testing and engineering.
Following this recommendation promotes proper lubrication, optimal fuel economy, and engine longevity. Deviating from it can lead to decreased performance and potential damage over time. Always check your manual first.
2. Using Thicker Oil for an Older Engine
Some drivers believe that using a thicker oil can compensate for wear and tear in an older, high-mileage engine. The theory is that a higher viscosity oil will better fill the larger gaps between worn components, improving compression and reducing oil consumption.
However, modern engines have very tight tolerances, and a thicker oil may struggle to flow through small passages, leading to oil starvation in critical areas. This struggle can accelerate wear instead of slowing it down.
3. Changing Viscosity With the Seasons
Decades ago, it was common practice to switch to a thinner oil in the winter for better cold starts and a thicker oil in the summer for high-temperature protection. Modern multigrade oils make this practice largely unnecessary.
An oil labeled 5W-30, for example, behaves like a 5-weight oil in cold conditions for easy starting and a 30-weight oil at operating temperatures for proper protection. Unless your owner’s manual suggests seasonal changes, sticking with the recommended multigrade oil year-round is the best approach for choosing the right engine oil viscosity.
4. Overlooking Oil Standards and Certifications
Viscosity is just one part of the equation. You also need to pay attention to the oil’s performance standards, indicated by certifications from organizations like the American Petroleum Institute (API) or the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC).
These ratings tell you if the oil meets the specific performance requirements for your engine, such as detergency and wear protection. Using an oil with the correct viscosity but the wrong certification can leave your engine vulnerable.
5. Mixing Different Viscosity Grades
If you need to top off your oil and don’t have the correct grade on hand, you might consider mixing different viscosities. While combining a small amount in an emergency is better than running the engine with low oil, it is not a good long-term practice.
Combining different grades alters the overall viscosity and can dilute the additive package, reducing the oil’s effectiveness. For consistent performance, always use the same viscosity grade recommended by your manufacturer.
By avoiding these common mistakes when choosing the right oil viscosity, you can help maintain your engine’s health and performance for years to come. Making an informed decision based on your vehicle’s specific needs is the simplest way to protect your investment.
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