Does It Matter What Type of Oil You Put in Your Car?

When you need to get your oil changed in your car you have many different choices. First, you have to decide whether you want to change it yourself or have someone else do it. Whichever option you choose, the next thing you need to do is decide which type of oil to use. While this may seem like a minor decision and really only comes down to how much money you want to spend, there actually is a right and wrong type of oil for your car.

So how do I know what the right type of oil is?

Luckily, this is the easy part. Your owner’s manual will clearly tell you which type of oil will make your car run the best. However, keep in mind that these are the recommendations when your car is new. As you put increased mileage on your car, you may want to consider using different, thicker oil made for high-mileage cars. They will work better because as your car ages the wear and tear on the engine makes it harder for the thinner oil to work properly.

Why does it matter?

Believe it or not, the car manufacturers spend a lot of money and time testing out your car’s engine with several different oils. They figure out which formula will make your car operate at its optimum efficiency. You wouldn’t want to waste all of these people’s time by choosing something else, would you? Not only that, but according to FuelEconomy.gov, using the wrong oil in your car can actually decrease your gas mileage by 1-2%. This can add up to quite a cost difference in the long run. Not only will your gas mileage be better if you use the right oil, but your car will operate smoother and need less repairs down the line.

So the next time you are deciding which oil to put in your car, always opt for the type recommended in your owner’s manual. And if the service technician recommends another type, remember that they work on commission and stick to your guns. You will be the one paying if you don’t.