In the cold season, the car engine has to work in difficult conditions. Therefore, before the onset of the winter season, car owners are advised to carry out maintenance of their car, in particular, to change the oil. And although it cannot be said unequivocally what kind of engine oil your car needs, you should be guided by certain rules for its selection.
Necessary
vehicle operation manual
Instructions
Step 1
Take a look at your car manual or service book. Before choosing an engine oil, find out the type of engine, the degree of its wear and the operating conditions of the vehicle. From the data obtained, you can understand which oil to choose. Select the product that meets the specifications of your vehicle manufacturer.
Step 2
Learn to read the markings on the canister label to help you choose the right oil. For example, when choosing an engine oil for the winter, pay attention to the letter W on the canister and the number in front of it (for example, 20W, 5W, 0W) - it denotes winter oil. The number ("winter" index) indicates the lowest temperature recommended to use the oil.
Step 3
Subtract 35 to get the minimum recommended temperature. If the canister has a number + W + number combination (eg SAE 10W40), then this is a multigrade oil. To obtain the lower temperature limit, subtract 35 from 10 (winter index).
Step 4
Select API gasoline or diesel engine oil based on engine type. If the letter S is on the label, then the oil is intended for a gasoline engine, if C is for a diesel engine. Pay attention also to the second letter after S or C - the further the second letter is from the beginning of the alphabet, the better the oil. If the label has both markings (for example, SM / CI-4), then the oil is universal, and you can use it in both a diesel engine and a gasoline engine.
Step 5
To select the right oil for your vehicle type, look at the ACEA markings. Examine the label for the letters A, B or E. The letter A represents an oil suitable for gasoline engines in vans, cars and vans. For a diesel van, minibus or passenger car, choose oil marked B. In case you need to fill oil in a heavy truck for the winter, choose a canister marked with the letter E.
