When you walk into the auto repair store, it can be quite overwhelming with the barrage of oils readily available for customers. It’s easy to get distracted by the shiny packaging or marketing claims (‘This is the best oil ever!’) when deciding to purchase oil for your vehicle. However, it begins with understanding the basics of engine oils.
Conventional Oil
This is the oil that has been around since the beginning of the automotive revolution. They are also referred to as mineral oils and represent the API Groups I-III base oils. Ideally, these oils can be traditionally found as the base for lubricants that are on the higher end of the viscosity spectrum (think 40, 50, and 60 weight).
These mineral oils are found on the earth, and their molecules may not all be the same size (unlike synthetic oils). They are usually less costly than synthetic oils but still provide some protection to the engines.
Synthetic Oil
Synthetics are considered the top-tier set of lubricants, as they can withstand harsher conditions compared to mineral oils. They are found in groups IV and V, and many of them are man-made, while others are naturally occurring. Most of their molecules are the same size, allowing for better properties, and they tend to be more expensive than mineral / conventional oils.
Synthetic Blend Oil
A synthetic blend oil refers to an oil that contains both synthetic and mineral base oils. However, there is no set ratio of synthetic to mineral oil that can impact the final performance of the lubricant to be classified as a synthetic blend. Many manufacturers can easily get away with using only 1% synthetic oil blended with 99% mineral oil and still label the oil as a “Synthetic blend.”
This gives the customer the false impression that they are purchasing an oil that will offer the best of both worlds.
High Mileage Oil
Until about a decade ago, high-mileage oils were not really that popular, but with the aging population of automobiles, there has been a significant increase in the purchase of this type of oil. Different manufacturers have varying specifications for these oils and typically use the vehicle’s mileage range to help guide customers in selecting the correct oil.
These oils are blended on the “thicker” side of the viscosity range, meaning on the higher end of the maximum viscosity. For instance, a regular 10w40 would appear to be “thinner” than a High Mileage 10w40. They are also reinforced with seal conditioners to help some of the seals in the older engines. But it does not contain magic, so it can’t repair your engine!
Racing Oil
The performance required of a Ferrari compared to that required of a minivan can differ drastically. The operating conditions are starkly different, and the engines would require specifications from their manufacturers. As such, there are specially developed racing oils for these higher-performance vehicles built to withstand harsher conditions compared to the regular engines.
This does not mean that you should use racing oil in your regular vehicle to get the performance of a race car. The oils are blended for specific purposes and must be used accordingly to ensure maximum functionality. Similarly, the oil used in the minivan would not be able to withstand the conditions of a racing car. Use oil that is compatible with the type of engine and the required performance.
