Using the best motor oil may not be the first thing that comes to mind regarding your vehicle’s maintenance. However, it is, in fact, one of the most critical aspects. Therefore, it’s crucial to know about motor oil for cars and how to best protect your car’s engine.
WHY do we need it?
Motor oil is a lubricant that allows the engine’s moving parts to function adequately. Your machine cannot work correctly without motor oil, as it’s a vital part of its system.
So, you may wonder what happens with the oil as you use the vehicle and why are motor oil changes crucial for optimal engine functioning.
The truth is that motor oils cannot stay intact forever, as they break down due to exposure to dust, dirt, and similar particles. Therefore, changes are necessary every once in a while to replace the contaminated oil and allow the engine to work seamlessly again.
Table of Contents
Why Do We Need Motor Oil?
To help you understand the importance of motor oils, let’s talk a little bit more about oils’ functions. It plays a crucial role in different aspects of a car’s well-being, and these are the most critical functions:
- Provides lubrication – As we’ve already mentioned, engine parts cannot function and move appropriately without being lubricated. In addition, parts including valves and pistons may tear in the heat without lubrication.
- Protects the engine parts in the heat – Without lubrication, engine elements would cause friction that may result in heat. As you probably imagine, this scenario could potentially lead to over-heating of your vehicle, which isn’t only incredibly frustrating, but also damaging to your car structure.
- Preserves the quality of your car – Whether you’re a passionate car lover or you perceive your car as a helpful convenience, we’re sure you want it to remain in good shape for as long as possible.
- Increase longevity, too – With proper maintenance, you can contribute to your car’s longevity and save some money along the way. Even though care may seem pricey, buying a new car is a much more significant investment, wouldn’t you agree? Replacing your oil consistently preserves your engine parts and removes the built-up dirt that could harm your vehicle by creating Corrosion.
- Saves gas money – Yes, you’ve read this correctly! Motor oil changes may seem like an expensive investment, but in fact, you’re smart with your money by prioritizing your vehicle’s maintenance. In addition, if the internal structure of your car lacks lubrication, the vehicle will require more fuel, which is an unnecessary additional cost for you (with the addition of your engine being at stake).
What’s The Best Motor Oil In 2023?
Now, deciding on the best product for your car, van, or truck may be a hassle.
Before moving on to our shopping guide, we must clarify that we prioritize synthetic instead of standard oil. It is more economical, and it optimizes the engine’s performance.
Castrol EDGE Extended Performance
Now that we have established the immense importance of motor oil in vehicle functioning, choosing a particular solution for your vehicle becomes even more relevant.
You want reliable, trusty oil that will endure any environmental changes your engine may experience.
Castrol is an advanced synthetic oil formulated with fluid titanium technology for maximum security and strength under pressure. In addition, being a powerful lubricant decreases the chance of metal-to-metal contact that could cause friction.
In addition, it sustains extreme temperatures and humidity, and dusty environments. It also promises to enable drains of 20,000 miles or an entire year.
Is this product the right fit for you? Castrol oil is by all GM dexos1 performance requirements, including Honda HTO-06, Ford WSS-M2C929-A, Ford WSS-M2C946-A, and Chrysler MS 6395.
Pros Of The Castrol EDGE
- Advanced full synthetic
- Supports engine performance even in extreme conditions
- Enables drains of 20,000 miles
Cons Of The Castrol EDGE
- Some customers find it to be pricey
Royal Purple
Royal Purple combines the best of both worlds: premium base oils and proprietary additive technologies to achieve maximum efficiency and engine performance.
Suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines, Royal Purple satisfies the requirements of the majority of light trucks and passenger cars in the United States/North America.
What’s particularly convenient about Royal Purple is that it requires no particular procedure when you’re switching to this product from your previous pick. In addition, it’s compatible with both synthetic and conventional motor oils, which brings its versatility to the next level.
Some of the essential benefits Royal Purple offers include improved fuel efficiency (and therefore cost-efficiency), compatibility with fuels containing ethanol, maximum corrosion protection, and dominant wear protection.
Pros Of The Royal Purple
- Combines premium base oils and proprietary additive technologies
- Suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines
- Compatible with both synthetic and conventional oils
Cons Of The Royal Purple
- Packaging could be better
Rotella T6
Shell Rotella prioritizes fuel economy above anything else.
The difference is slightly noticeable when comparing Rotella to 15W-40 oils since this product offers an impressive 1.5% fuel economy capability. But, of course, while prioritizing fuel economy, other vital aspects such as durability and protection of engine parts were not compromised.
Let’s compare Rotella to another category of oils when it comes to yet another important aspect of oil quality – wear performance. Compared to older generations of API CJ-4 oils, Rotella has been shown to offer a much higher level of engine protection.
Another dominant function of this product is to protect the engine from dirt, soot, and debris, which is precisely what this product promises. In addition, it provides much-needed heat resistance.
Pros Of The Rotella T6
- Offers significant fuel economy
- High level of engine protection
- Heat resistance
Cons Of The Rotella T6
- No longer API-SN approved
Royal Purple 30
What is particularly appealing about Royal Purple 30 is that it’s suitable even for older engines.
Your vehicle’s age and mileage do not make a difference when it comes to this product. In addition, it is entirely compatible with mineral or synthetic oils, and there is no unique process if you decide to switch to Royal Purple.
All customers fear Corrosion, especially knowing the damage it can cause to the engine. So having the importance of a corrosion-free engine in mind, Royal Purple created a product that offers superior corrosion protection.
In addition, this product offers improved wear protection and fuel efficiency – which is something everyone could use.
Pros Of The Royal Purple 30
- Suitable even for older engines
- Compatible with both mineral and synthetic oils
- Corrosion protection
Cons Of The Royal Purple 30
- No dispenser spout
Mobil 1 – 64
Mobil 1 – 64 is Mob 5QT 5W30 sync oil, emphasizing convenience and easy use.
It offers complete synthetic formula, protecting the engine from deposits and built-up sludge. This way, this product ensures engine longevity and durability, regardless of the conditions.
Your motor oil is supposed to be a powerful lubricant before anything else to optimize engine elements’ functioning. If lubrication is what you’re looking for, Mobil should be your choice since it offers overall long-lasting lubrication. It also provides maximum protection in cases of friction.
While some manufacturers may focus solely on heat protection, Mobile has also prioritized optimizing performance in low temperatures.
This product offers remarkable low-temperature capabilities and quick cold-weather starting, which is something your vehicle requires in the wintertime.
Pros Of The Mobil 1 – 64
- Protecting the engine from deposits and built-up sludge
- Convenient overall lubrication
- Low-temperature capabilities
Cons Of The Mobil 1 – 64
- It is not compatible with diesel
Mobil 1 – 60
Mobil 1 – 60 features OW-40 formula, which is the European Car Formula (North America) and Protection Formula (for other parts of the world), suitable for diesel and gasoline, making it highly versatile.
What stands out about this brand, in particular, is that it offers excellent cleaning power, which is of utmost importance for the performance and duration of your engine.
Versatility is one of the main characteristics of this product, as it is suitable for the majority of modern vehicles, offering excellent engine protection and lubrication even in the harshest of conditions – even those considered extreme. It is, therefore, an ideal choice for high-performance engines.
In addition, Mobil meets the latest OEM and industry requirements, sometimes even exceeding their approvals. Its unique formula allows for rapid start-up, especially in low temperatures when promptness is required the most.
Pros Of The Mobil 1 – 60
- OW-40 formula
- Great cleaning power
- Ideal for high-performance engines
Cons Of The Mobil 1 – 60
- No longer BMW LL-01 approved
Valvoline
Making sure that a particular brand is suitable for the model of your car can be somewhat confusing, especially if the information isn’t clearly stated.
Valvoline makes shopping relatively easy since they will ask for information about your vehicle before you make your purchase, making sure that the product will work with your particular model.
When it comes to older engines, you may think that there’s nothing you can do to improve their performance and prevent leaking. However, Valvoline Max Life has been shown to rejuvenate old engines while preventing any additional wear in the future.
Valvoline also contains antioxidants which make the oil more durable and more potent when it comes to preventing the formation of sludge and deposit, which could clog the internal parts.
Pros Of The Valvoline
- Easy to determine whether it is suitable for you
- Rejuvenates old engines
- Special anti-clogging formula
Cons Of The Valvoline
- Some users experienced package leaking
Mobil 1 – 66
The improved synthetic formula of Mobil 1 – 66 provides stable oil viscosity, which allows the vehicle to function correctly without any built-up sludge and dirt.
As mentioned previously, contamination in the vehicle structure could seriously jeopardize its performance and even cause the vehicle to overheat. Therefore, quality lubrication, such as Mobil 1, is an absolute must in vehicle maintenance.
What you need in motor oil is stability. If you cannot rely on your oil, you can never know what kind of issue may occur with your engine, seriously affecting your confidence as a driver.
Mobile 1 offers thermal and oxidation stability at an extremely high level. In addition, its advanced formula can dissolve and remove any built-up sludge.
Finally, Mobil 1 – 66 promises quick low-temperature starting, even in extreme conditions.
Pros Of The Mobil 1 – 66
- Stable oil viscosity
- Outstanding thermal and oxidation stability
- Dissolves and removes built-up sludge
Cons Of The Mobil 1 – 66
- Apparently does not last the promised 15,000 miles
Mobil 1 – 120758
The Mobil 1 – 120758 motor oil is suitable for most GM, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota models.
It features a low-viscosity, fully synthetic formula, which is a far better choice than the standard oil, as it offers better protection, optimization of performance, and durability.
What’s more, Mobile 1 improves fuel economy up to an outstanding 2 percent, which will save you a lot of money in the long run. Due to its innovative formula, Mobile 1 offers oxidation and thermal stability, which results in longer life for the vehicle.
It’s a versatile motor oil that’s suitable for all kinds of conditions, as well as driving styles, keeping the internal parts of the car lubricated and protected. In addition, Mobil 1 meets or exceeds every of the ILSAC GF-5 requirements, which is proof of its quality.
Pros Of The Mobil 1 – 120758
- Low-viscosity, fully synthetic formula
- Oxidation and thermal stability
- Meets or exceeds all ILSAC GF-5 requirements
Cons Of The Mobil 1 – 120758
- Some have experienced decreased fuel mileage
Pennzoil – is this one of the best motor oil for cars?
Pennzoil Platinum is 5W-30 fully synthetic motor oil, providing outstanding fuel economy and granting additional 550 miles per year compared to a dirty, neglected engine.
What’s more, Pennzoil preserves your vehicle’s horsepower, as a decrease in this aspect can be expected if you’re not using a good product.
This particular product stands out because it is produced from natural gas. In addition, it provides both oxidation and friction stability for your vehicle, even in extreme conditions – both heat and shallow temperatures.
Pennzoil is considered by mechanics to be one of the best motor oil for cars.
As far as friction control is concerned, Pennzoil prevents metal-on-metal contact between internal car parts, preserving the quality and durability of your engine.
Also, it has been shown to capture debris, dirt, and other particles which may contaminate the parts and compromise their performance, leaving them clean.
Pros Of The Pennzoil Platinum
- Promises extra 550 miles per year
- Produced from natural gas
- Friction stability
Cons Of The Pennzoil Platinum
- Some customers received an expired product
Further Reviews
If you need to check your car oil at night and the lights aren’t bright as you need them, you may need a reliable flashlight. Check out our review of the best UV flashlights. If you want to watch some car shows on your laptop, check out this review about the best laptops for movies.
More Posts
Whether you own a small business or a huge enterprise, you're probably using Excel or QuickBooks quite a lot. So we wanted to find the best laptop for QuickBooks. I get it: It's tough to find...
When you're looking for the perfect set of monitors for music production, there are many factors you need to consider for the best purchase. There is a growing space for niche sets of monitors to...