Which Oil Is Right For Your Vehicle?

Keeping your vehicle running smoothly is a high-priority for every car owner. You want to know you can count on your car to start every morning, drive to work, and get you home. During the summer season, you might also be depending on your vehicle to carry you to visit family and friends in states hundreds of miles away. In order to keep your vehicle in the best condition possible, you should always keep up with important maintenance tasks, such as changing your oil on time.

When you are getting your oil changed, you probably are used to being asked about which oil you would like used for your vehicle. The normal options include conventional oil and synthetic oil. Determining which will be right for you will depend on the age of your vehicle, the miles on it, and what type of vehicle it is. Read on to learn more about which oil is right for your vehicle and the major pros and cons of both oil types. Remember, at our German auto repair shop in Denver, we specialize in servicing Audis, BMWs and other German-made vehicles. We will be happy to help you pick the right oil type for your vehicle’s needs.

Conventional Oil: The Details

When you take your vehicle in for an oil change, one of the options you will undoubtedly be offered is the choice of conventional oil. This oil type is the starting ground for most car owners. If you ever drove a beat-up, barely operating vehicle, you probably always opted for conventional oil to be used in your vehicle. Why is conventional oil such a popular choice? The reason is because of the major pro of conventional oil — the price tag. Conventional oil changes will cost you the least amount of money and will provide you with the needed lubrication to keep your car running smoothly.

Conventional oil is a good choice if your vehicle and needs meet the following criteria:

• You don’t have a high-performance vehicle: For run-of-the-mill econo cars, a conventional oil change will likely suffice. Upgrading to synthetic oil might not offer notable improvement for older, econo cars.
• You are good at keeping up with maintenance: If you do opt for a conventional oil change, you will need to make sure you keep up with your maintenance schedule. Conventional oil will work fine, so long as you never miss an oil change or drive past the recommended mileage.
• Your owner’s manual and mechanic approve: Make sure that you read your owner’s manual to find out if your vehicle will operate on conventional oil. Many European-made vehicles require synthetic. You should also check with your mechanic to see what they recommend based on your vehicle’s unique needs. If both the owner’s manual and your trusted mechanic give you the green light, conventional oil can be utilized to help you save money upfront.

Synthetic Oil: The Pros And Cons

Synthetic oil is a product that has been refined further than conventional oil. Often, synthetic oil is actually created from a base of conventional oil. During the further purification of this oil, a product is created the provides a higher level of performance. While synthetic oil carries a hefty price tag upfront, it also allows you to go longer between oil changes which can actually save you money over time.

If you are thinking about upgrading to synthetic oil, check out the pros of utilizing this oil type.

• Fewer impurities: Due to the process used to create synthetic oil, it carries fewer impurities leading to less build up in your engine. This can help ensure your engine not only lasts longer but also operates more efficiently. Conventional oil can lead to the buildup of sludge over time, which will lead to decreased performance.
• Better operation in cold climates: Synthetic oil is also an excellent choice for the cold, Colorado winters we face here in Denver. Due to the viscosity of the synthetic oil, it functions just as well in the cold as it does in the summer. Conventional oils, however, can take a while to start flowing properly during cold months.
• Protection for turbocharged engines: If you have a turbocharged engine, you should definitely consider synthetic oil. This oil type will hold up better at high heats, which will lead to far better protection for your engine. A turbocharged engine operates at high speeds that make increased protection extremely important.
• Your owner’s manual calls for it: Many German-made vehicles are actually designed to use only synthetic oils. If you are uncertain about your specific make and model, take a look at the owner’s manual. If you take your vehicle to a mechanic that specializes in your vehicle make, they will also be able to tell you what type of oil is best for your particular year and model.

Come Visit The Pros

If you have a German-made vehicle, we can help you with oil changes and other routine maintenance tasks. Because we specialize in German cars, we are well versed in exactly what your particular make and model requires. Talk to us today about scheduling your next maintenance service at our German auto repair shop in Denver.