If your vehicle has not had an oil change yet this winter, you may be wondering what the best oil for winter is. Of course, the technicians at United Tire can help you figure this out when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change. However, many drivers like to be informed prior to their visit to one of our locations. Read on to learn more about the best oil for winter.
5w30 vs. 10w30 Oil
There are many different weights of automotive oil, but the most commonly used are 5w30 and 10w30. These oils are similar, but 5w30 is a little bit better for use
during winter. This is especially true if you live in a location (like Philadelphia) where it can get extremely cold during the winter. 5w30 oil flows a bit better in extremely cold weather as compared to 10w30 oil. Of course, you should always defer to your vehicle's manual if it says to always use 10w30 oil. That being said, 5w30 oil is perfect for most vehicles. There are even multi-viscosity 5w30 oils that work just as well in summer and winter.
Multi-Viscosity Oil
One of the newer and more advanced types of automotive oil available is multi-viscosity oil. The oil's viscosity essentially refers to how thick or runny it is. Most automotive oil in the past and even these days has only one level of viscosity. However, automotive engineers have now created oil that can change viscosity ratings based on the temperature. This means that you may not necessarily need to change your vehicle's oil for winter. Of course, you still may need to change to this type of oil if you're currently using traditional oil.
Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil
Synthetic oil has been compared and contrasted with conventional oil since it was introduced many years ago. Synthetic oil lasts longer, but conventional oil is more affordable. Synthetic oil also offers protection for your vehicle's engine in locales where it can get both extremely hot and extremely cold, like it can in Philly. The best type of oil for climates with large temperature swings is 5w30 multi-viscosity synthetic oil. This weight of oil will flow more easily in winter. The multi-viscosity feature will allow it to work in cold and hot weather. Additionally, synthetic multi-viscosity oil will accommodate large temperature swings better.
More on synthetic vs. conventional oil
Visit United Tire For An Oil Change Today
If you need to get your vehicle's oil changed this winter, visit United Tire. We can take care of all your tire and maintenance needs, including oil changes. Our expert technicians are highly trained and experienced, so they will know which oil is best for your car. We carry a large selection of high-quality oil to ensure that we have the right product for your vehicle's engine. Make an appointment or bring your vehicle into one of our repair shops today.
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