Choosing the right engine oil for your car is just as important as changing it regularly to ensure your vehicle’s optimal performance. The quality of the engine oil you purchase affects your car’s performance. It improves the health of your engine and ensures the longevity of your vehicle. Additionally, good quality engine oil prevents you from having to change oil frequently and reduces engine wear and tear.
When selecting the right engine oil for your car, many factors must be considered, including the type of engine, car model, and weather conditions in the state where you drive. With many top engine oil companies in the UAE, choosing the right engine oil is crucial to suit your engine type. Therefore, to make the right choice for your car’s health, it’s essential to understand some key terms. We are here to help you choose the best engine oil that ensures your car’s optimum condition.
Let’s dive into a detailed guide on engine oil types and quality to ensure you give your car the care it needs.
Understanding Viscosity Grade
It is essential to consider the viscosity grade when choosing the engine oil for your vehicle. Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil, which varies based on the type of engine and vehicle requirements. To determine the ideal viscosity for your car engine, you can refer to the code on the oil bottle. For instance, if you see 5W20, the number 5 before W indicates the viscosity at lower temperatures. Meanwhile, the number after W indicates how thin the oil will become at high temperatures or after prolonged use. The greater the last number, the more it will be resistant to thinning.
Living in Dubai means that you’ll be driving in a hot climate, and your vehicle may overheat frequently due to the high temperatures. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that the oil you choose can withstand the heat and protect your engine from overheating. For example, an oil with 10W40 viscosity will work best in hot temperatures. If you’re uncertain about the best oil for your vehicle, you can consult a professional mechanic when you take your car in for an oil change.
However, be aware that some mechanics may recommend an oil that isn’t suitable for your engine to promote their product. It’s essential to understand your vehicle’s circumstances and condition before replacing the engine oil.
Types of Engine Oil
There are three main types of engine oils produced in the UAE. Each category works best based on the engine needs and weather conditions. An old model vehicle requires extra care and maintenance, hence requiring higher-quality engine oil for improved performance. Each has its pros and cons, so look into them and choose the one that is most suitable for your car engine.
Conventional Oil
This oil is used in most cars as it effectively lubricates the vehicle’s components, ensuring smooth engine performance. However, being a naturally produced product, it contains impurities, which is why it is necessary to change the engine oil frequently. Although it is reasonably priced, it provides less fuel efficiency.
Synthetic Oil
Synthetic engine oil is a purified and chemically designed oil that offers better performance than conventional oil. It provides greater stability and works better, especially if your car is heavily loaded, weighs more, or is driven on longer routes. It protects your engine from wear and tear and delivers excellent performance to your vehicle. If you own a sports or luxury car, then synthetic oil is the best choice to maintain the quality of your vehicle. However, it is more expensive than conventional oil due to its high quality.
High Mileage Oil
This type of oil is specifically designed for high-mileage vehicles, especially those that have run for more than 75,000 miles. It provides protection to old vehicles from wear and tear, improves the overall performance of the car, and enhances the life of your vehicle.
After learning about the three types of engine oils, you can quickly determine which oil is better for your car. Most importantly, you should not compromise on the maintenance of your vehicle, as it is your valuable asset, and taking good care of it is equally important.
Factors to Consider when Selecting the Right Engine Oil
When choosing the right engine oil for your vehicle’s stability, you should consider certain factors. These factors include the vehicle’s age, driving environment, and driving style.
Vehicle’s Age
The age of your vehicle plays a crucial role in determining the proper engine oil to use. Newer models tend to require less maintenance and care, and regular engine oil will suffice for optimal performance. However, your vehicle’s mileage affects its fuel efficiency, and the more mileage you have, the more attention your car will need. For newer models, light-condensation engine oil will do the job, while older models will require thicker-condensation oil to lubricate the engine effectively.
Driving Environment
Engine oil viscosity is also affected by driving conditions. In hot and humid areas such as Dubai, thicker engine oil is recommended. The thicker consistency helps to protect the vehicle from overheating in high temperatures, preventing friction and ensuring optimal engine performance.
Driving Style
It’s essential to consider your driving style when choosing the right engine oil for your car. Your driving habits can affect the performance of your engine. For instance, if you frequently drive short distances in the city, your engine will be subjected to frequent stopping and starting, which can stress the engine and strain the oil. In this case, it’s essential to use oil that is suitable for city driving to maintain your vehicle’s engine health.
On the other hand, if you drive longer distances or at higher speeds, you’ll need thicker engine oil. It helps to lubricate different parts of the engine to prevent overheating and breakdowns. Therefore, when buying engine oil, it’s essential to share your driving style with the mechanic so that they can suggest the right engine oil to suit your vehicle’s needs.
Conclusion
Maintaining a car is crucial, especially in UAE’s hot climate. The engine is the heart of a vehicle, and keeping it in good condition should be a top priority. This not only enhances fuel efficiency and performance but also extends the car’s lifespan. To determine what is best for your car engine, we recommend referring to the manufacturer’s manual and then looking for the oil that best suits your vehicle’s make and model.
Also Read: How and When to Change Car Engine Oil in the UAE.
