For many people, thinking about what oil to use in their car may not be top-of-mind. But especially during the colder months, it’s important to know what you’re putting in your vehicle to help avoid issues.
While we may not all be car experts, there are benefits to understanding your engine oil and how selecting a higher quality oil can enhance your vehicle this winter. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting the right engine oil this winter.
Consider your driving conditions
Using a lower-quality oil can lead to the oil breaking down and losing its ability to efficiently protect. Thinking about the type of conditions you’re using your vehicle in helps immensely when selecting an engine oil. For example, using a synthetic oil like Cenex® Maxtron® PCMO when operating your vehicle in a colder environment has many benefits for your car.
Unlike conventional oils, synthetic oils contain highly distilled, exceptionally stable base oils. Not only do synthetic oils help cars start quicker, they also provide quicker engine protection.
Anytime you take your car on the road, it’s important that the oil inside is freely circulating throughout the engine. During the winter, though, cold temperatures can cause conventional oil to thicken while an engine is turned off. This means that once a vehicle using conventional oil is started, there can still be a significant delay until the oil has reached all the places it needs to, because the engine must first reheat the oil until it’s returned to its intended thickness.
Synthetic oil, meanwhile, are exceptional at maintaining their intended thickness, which means they circulate quickly throughout an entire engine upon startup, even in the cold. As a result, synthetic oils help minimize engine wear, and they can even help increase fuel economy too.
Check your owner’s manual
Your car manual will tell you everything you need to know about your car, including what type of oil helps it perform at its peak. Be sure to review the oil recommendations and specifications it lists before your next oil change.
Ask your mechanic
Many people take their car in for an oil change and let the mechanics work their magic. However if you’d like to get smart on the type of oil used in your car, ask the mechanic what type of oil they recommend and the viscosity grade of the oil. It’s good to ask these questions to ensure the type of oil the mechanic is using meets the specifications and requirements listed in your owner’s manual.
Finding the right oil to use in your car this winter doesn’t need to be tricky. After following these tips, visit our Equipment Lookup Tool to uncover which Cenex oil is best suited for your vehicle, or visit your local Cenex dealer for a variety of high-quality lubricants.