motorboat engine oil

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How To Change Boat Engine Oil

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Make your routine fluid changes as painless as possible.

With any maintenance procedure, the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to get done. So rather than put off changing your engine oil or transmission fluid, take a few moments to master the procedure so you'll stop dreading it in the future. Such tasks are necessary, of course, to keep your systems running, but routine fluid changes can also provide opportunities to spot signs of potential problems, such as wear or contamination, before they can morph into catastrophic failure — and equally catastrophic repair bills.

Engine Oil: Inboard And (Four-stroke) Outboard

Engine manufacturers recommend engine-oil changes after every 100 hours of use, or annually, at a minimum. Diesel engines tend to be harder on oil than gas engines, one of the reasons that many experts recommend changing diesel oil every 50 hours rather than the 100 hours commonly quoted. In addition to your normal oil-changing preparations (purchasing the correct type and amount of oil, gathering the necessary tools), place catch pans and oil-absorbent pads beneath the engine and oil filter before starting. This adds an extra layer of protection to keep accidental spills from reaching the bilge.

Bring the engine up to operating temperature before changing the oil. Warm oil not only drains easier but also holds more contaminants in suspension, meaning that more abrasive gunk and chemical impurities will be removed from the engine when the oil is changed. Unlike on your car, inboard marine-engine installations typically provide little or no access to the oil-pan drain plug or enough space below the engine to place an open container to catch the draining oil. Therefore, most installations will require use of an oil-evacuation system, one that uses a manual or electric pump to transfer oil from the engine into a separate container. Oil-evacuation systems range from portable, manual, or electric vacuum pumps designed to remove oil via the dipstick tube to permanently mounted pumps plumbed directly to the oil-pan drain.

Using a portable extractor pump (via the dipstick hole) is also the preferred method for removing oil from a four-stroke outboard. The drain plug for a four-stoke engine is accessible, but it's so messy to use, due to its location, that the extractor pump is hands down the better way to go.

Part of your oil-changing routine should be inspecting the old oil once it's drained. Oil that's milky in appearance is an indication that water, antifreeze, or fuel is present, which could mean anything from a blown gasket to a cracked block. Rub a little engine oil between your fingers. If it feels abrasive or has a burnt odor, be concerned about bearing wear, although it could also simply mean that the oil hasn't been changed in a while.

Oil Sampling

Sending an oil sample to a lab for testing is more scientific than a visual inspection, but it's most useful for tracking issues over the engine's lifetime rather than for spot-checking. Still, a one-shot oil analysis can show unusual wear and the presence of water, antifreeze, or diesel fuel. Think of it as a blood test for the engine — one that may not predict a heart attack but can indicate a risk factor such as high cholesterol. For more on oil sampling, see " Oil Sample Analysis ".

Engine-oil changes should always include the installation of a new oil filter. Drip-free filter replacement can be challenging, though, so you'll want to place oil pads or a catch pan beneath the filter before you remove it. Another option is placing a large zip-top bag around the filter during removal. Once the filter is removed, the bag can then be sealed and used to transport the filter, further reducing the chance of spills.

Always contain and dispose of waste oil and fluids properly. Your marina likely has a disposal or recycling program available, but there are other options — many automotive-parts stores maintain a waste-oil recycling station as well. Store waste fluids separately until they can be properly disposed of. Mixing fluids can make recycling impossible and create a veritable Hell's Broth that's even more toxic (and difficult) to dispose of.

Once the old oil is drained and the new filter installed, the next step is adding new oil. Using a funnel will make adding oil easier in almost all cases — you can even add a short length of hose to the funnel to assist with those hard-to-reach oil fills. Once the proper amount of oil is added, start the engine and look for leaks, particularly around the oil pan and filter. Top up if needed because the new filter is now filled. Keeping a fresh oil-absorbent pad beneath the engine will aid in spotting leaks both after and between oil changes.

The specific steps for your outboard will be outlined in your manual, but the basic process is: Drain, Change, Replace, Fill.

1. Drain the old. This Suzuki has a drain plug you can access easily. Other models will require an oil extractor that goes through the dipstick.

2. Allow the oil to drain into a catch pan.

3. Change the oil filter. On this engine, part of the cowling needs to come off to get at the oil filter.

4. Remove the old filter carefully to minimize spills.

5. Replace with a new filter. Lube the O-ring at the top with a bit of new oil. Replace the drain plug if you removed it.

6. Add new engine oil. The amount and type are specified in your manual.

7 Tips For Easier Oil Changes

1. Always warm the engine before changing the oil.

2. Use a closed oil-changing system whenever possible. It's simple to use, reduces the chance of spills, and makes it easier to transport used oil to a recycling facility.

3. When changing your engine's oil filter, wrap the filter with a thick cloth during removal to avoid burning your hands. Write the date and engine hours on the new filter to serve as a visual reminder of when the next oil change is due.

4. Use oil-absorbent pads and containers to prevent and contain accidental spills.

5. Temporarily disable automatic bilge pumps to prevent oil from accidentally being pumped overboard in the event of a spill.

6. Recycle used oil and filters.

7. Dispose of used absorbent pads and rags properly.

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Frank Lanier

Contributing Editor, BoatUS Magazine

Capt. Frank Lanier is a SAMS Accredited Marine Surveyor with more than 40 years of experience in the marine and diving industries. He’s also an author, public speaker, and multiple award-winning journalist whose articles on boat maintenance, repair, and seamanship appear regularly in numerous marine publications worldwide. He can be reached via his YouTube channel “Everything Boats with Capt. Frank Lanier” and website captfklanier.com.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Motor Oil: What You Need to Know

Motor oil seems simple. You pour it in your engine and drive away. But motor oil is far more complex...and...

If you awoke this morning asking yourself, “Gee, I wonder what there is to know about motor oil?” you’re in luck. Here, we present a primer on motor oil fundamentals.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What is motor oil?

What is in motor oil, what must a motor oil do, what is viscosity, sae viscosity grades (oil weights), how is gasoline motor oil classified, how is diesel engine oil classified.

Ready? Let’s go.

Motor oil is one of the most important factors in your engine’s performance and longevity.

Put simply, it’s the lubricant that prevents all those metal parts from tearing each other apart or welding themselves together into the world’s coolest boat anchor.

It reduces friction and heat while helping keep your engine clean. Without motor oil, your engine would destroy itself in a matter of seconds.

Motor oil contains two fundamental components: base oils and additives .

The two work in tandem to produce the final product you put in your engine. Think of coffee as an analogy – the base oil is the water and the additive package are the coffee beans.

The base oils comprise the largest portion of the oil. They lubricate internal moving parts, absorb heat and seal the piston rings.

Motor oil base oils can be composed of 1) petroleum, 2) chemically synthesized materials or 3) a combination of synthetics and petroleum (called semi-synthetic or synthetic blend ).

Petroleum (or conventional) base oils are refined from crude oil. Contaminating elements such as sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen and metal components such as nickel or vanadium are inherent to crude oil and cannot be completely removed through the refining process. The oil refining process separates the various types of molecules in the oil by weight, leaving molecules similar in weight but dissimilar in structure, reducing performance.

Synthetic base oils, on the other hand, are highly engineered to include only beneficial molecules. As such, they contain no contaminants or molecules that don’t serve a designed purpose. Their versatility and pure, uniform molecular structures impart properties that provide better friction-reduction, optimum fuel efficiency, maximum film strength and extreme-temperature performance conventional lubricants just can’t touch.

Check out this post for the definitive guide on synthetic vs. conventional oil .

Motor oil additives

The various chemicals that comprise a motor oil’s additive system provide anti-wear, anti-foam, anti-corrosion, acid-neutralization, viscosity-maintenance, detergency and dispersancy properties .

A few examples of chemical additives include zinc, phosphorus and boron. Striking the perfect balance of the proper additives in relation to the base oil is a tough balancing act for oil formulators, especially as vehicles grow more demanding and sophisticated.

Modern motor oil is a highly specialized product carefully developed by engineers and chemists to perform many essential functions. A motor oil must…

Minimize friction

Lubricants reduce contact between components, minimizing friction and wear. This helps your engine run better and last longer.

Lubricants maintain internal cleanliness by suspending contaminants within the fluid or by preventing the contaminants from adhering to components .

Base oils possess a varying degree of solvency that assists in maintaining internal cleanliness. Solvency is the ability of a fluid to dissolve a solid, liquid or gas.

While the solvency of the oil is important, detergents and dispersants play a key role. Detergents are additives that prevent contaminants from adhering to components, especially hot components such as pistons or piston rings. Dispersants are additives that keep contaminants suspended in the fluid. Dispersants act as a solvent, helping the oil maintain cleanliness and prevent sludge formation.

Reducing friction minimizes heat in moving parts , which lowers the overall operating temperature of the equipment. Lubricants also absorb heat from contact surface areas and transport it to a location to be safely dispersed, such as the oil sump.

Fun Fact: Lubricating an engine requires a very small amount of motor oil compared to the amount needed to ensure proper cooling of these internal parts.

Act as a dynamic seal

Motor oil acts as a dynamic seal in locations like the piston ring/cylinder interface. A dynamic seal helps keep combustion gases in the combustion chamber, which maximizes horsepower and helps prevent hot gases from contaminating the motor oil in the sump.

Dampen shock

A lubricant can cushion the blow of mechanical shock.

A functional lubricant film resists rupture and absorbs and disperses these energy spikes over a broad contact area. By dampening mechanical shock, the oil minimizes wear and damaging forces, extending the component’s operating life.

Protect against corrosion

A lubricant must have the ability to prevent or minimize internal component corrosion. Lubricants accomplish this either by chemically neutralizing corrosive products or by forming a barrier between the components and the corrosive material.

Fun Fact: Motor oil has no natural ability to resist rust and corrosion; those properties must be added through use of motor oil additives.

Transfer energy

Because motor oil is incompressible, it makes an excellent energy-transfer medium, such as when used with hydraulic valve lifters or to actualize components in an engine with variable valve timing.

Viscosity refers to the oil’s resistance to flow and is the most important property of an oil. The viscosity of oil varies with changes in temperature – thinner when hot, thicker when cold.

Although oil must flow at cold temperatures to lubricate the engine at startup, it must also remain thick enough to protect the engine at high operating temperatures. When an oil is used at a variety of temperatures, as with most engines, the change in viscosity should be as minimal as possible .

Wouldn’t it be handy to have a number that indicated the oil’s viscosity change? We do, and it’s called the Viscosity Index (VI) . It is measured by comparing the viscosity of the oil at 40°C (104°F) with its viscosity at 100°C (212°F). The higher the VI, the less the viscosity changes with temperature changes and the better the oil protects the engine. Synthetics typically have a higher VI than conventional oils.

For a deep dive on motor oil viscosity and how it affects engine protection, see this post .

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed several viscosity classifications or grades , such as 5W-30, 10W-40 and 15W-50. People often refer to them as “oil weights.”

These viscosity grades (or oil weights) designate the specific ranges in which the particular oil falls.

The “W” indicates it is suitable for use in cold temperatures. (Think of the “W” as meaning “Winter.”) The classifications increase numerically; the lower the number, the lower the temperature at which the oil can be used for safe and effective engine protection. Higher numbers reflect better protection for high-heat and high-load situations.

The overwhelming majority of oils today are multi-viscosity, meaning they behave differently at different operating temperatures to provide the best of both worlds – good cold-flow when the temperature drops and reliable protection once the engine reaches operating temperature.

For example, a 5W-30 motor oil performs like an SAE 5W at 40ºC (104ºF) and an SAE 30 motor oil at 100ºC (212ºF).

The American Petroleum Institute (API) developed a classification system to identify oils formulated to meet the different operating requirements of gasoline and diesel engines.

The API system has two general categories: S-series and C-series.

The S-series service classification emphasizes oil properties critical to gasoline engines .

When an oil passes a series of both bench tests and engine tests (API Sequence tests), it can be sold bearing the applicable API service classification.

The classifications progress alphabetically as the level of lubricant performance increases. Each classification replaces those before it. Oils meeting the latest API classification, API SP, may be used in any engine calling for it or a previous API specification unless otherwise specified.

The API SP category is the most recent classification , replacing those before it. SP oils are designed to provide…

• Improved oxidation resistance
• Deposit protection
• Maximum fuel economy
• Emissions-system performance
• Resistance to a new type of engine knock called low-speed pre -ignition (LSPI)

C-series classifications pertain to diesel engines and include those shown below.

Not all C-series classifications supersede one another. Note the FA-4 classification , which pertains only to some 2017 and newer diesel engines. The FA-4 classification was introduced primarily to help maximize fuel economy in over-the-road trucks.

Putting it all together

That’s a ton on information, but it boils down to this: motor oil is more than a commodity. It’s a vital part of your engine’s longevity and performance.

As such, it pays in the long run to use the best oil for your vehicle . The initial price of a high-quality synthetic motor oil may be more, but the lifetime cost can be far less compared to conventional oil, especially if you practice extended drain intervals.

Originally published May 15, 2018.

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Choosing (and Using) the Right Engine Oil

Synthetics additives and how long between oil changes.

• 2/29/2008 (updated 5/5/2009 )

Novice do-it-yourselfers are regularly overwhelmed by auto parts store shelves stocked to the ceiling with a rainbow of colored engine oil bottles. Even experienced folks can be confused by boastful but carefully hedged claims, newfangled certifications and confusing specifications. Also called motor oil, engine oil is one of the most complex, extensively tested and continuously improved components for your car. But it's also among the least understood. Here's the information to help you make the best choice.

The Short Story

For most, here's all you need to know: Buy a brand-name oil that exactly matches your vehicle manufacturer's specifications and certification requirements, and change your oil according to the carmaker's recommendations. That will allow your engine to offer maximum performance and last as long as possible. Disastrous consequences await those who deviate from the manufacturer's recommendations. Those who want more, read on.

Look for the API "starburst" and "donut." The center of the donut tells the thickness and temperature range of the oil: In this case 5W-30. Be careful of knock-offs that look similar.

Weight and Oil Viscosity

Oil is like pancake syrup. Without blending and additives, on cool days oil would be as thick (viscous) as Mrs. Butterworth's stored in the refrigerator. At high temperature, though, it would get uselessly thin, like microwaved syrup. Long ago, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a rating system for oil viscosity, the most basic of characteristics, which is often called weight. It's expressed by four or five characters, such as 10W-30. The lower the number before the W (for "winter"), the better it flows in cold temperatures. The number after the dash indicates how well the oil flows when it's warm. Higher numbers mean the oil is "heavier," or more viscous. Multi-viscosity oils developed several decades ago mean you don't have to worry about using different oils for winter and summer.

Don't select heavier-than-recommended oil in the mistaken belief it'll provide better protection. Old-timers are used to heavier oils, but many manufacturers currently specify light oil, such as 5W-20. One reason is that some modern engines have incredibly tight clearances between parts. Especially when the engine is cold, a heavier oil may not reach into these tight areas. The lighter oil also helps provide better fuel economy.

Certifications

Quality oils carry up to three certifications from three different organizations. Your owner's manual will say which standard is required. These certifications indicate that the oil met the testing and content requirements of these organizations. The most well-known is the American Petroleum Institute's (API) "starburst" and "donut." In the center of the API circle is the SAE weight (e.g. 10W-30). The outer ring will say "API SERVICE" followed by two letters: "SM" has been the top API rating since 2004, and API says it'll work in all automotive gasoline engines. The previous standard — "SJ" — was for 2004 and earlier model years. If the service rating starts with a "C," it's for diesel engines.

American and Japanese automakers combined to create the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC). Its current standard is GF-4. A new standard, GF-5, is scheduled for 2010. Finally, some European cars require oil certified by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Why Oil Additives?

Without a myriad of additives, motor oil could not meet the demands of modern engines. Detergents in oil trap impurities. Polymers increase high-temperature performance. Molybdenum is now used instead of sulfur to decrease wear at high-friction points. Oil designed for high-mileage engines has seal conditioners to reduce oil leaks. And these are but a few of the engine oil additives.

Synthetic: Worth It?

The short answer: Modern synthetic engine oil offers more protection than conventional oil, can be safely mixed or interchanged with conventional oil and can extend oil-change intervals. However, unless you subject your vehicle to extreme conditions, synthetic may not be worth the extra cost: That makes blends of synthetic and conventional oil an attractive option.

Synthetic oil was first mass-produced during World War II by Germany, which had plenty of coal and methane gas but no petroleum. Since molecule chains can be made uniform and tailored for specific needs, synthetic oil proved ideal for jet aircraft engines. Recently, improved refining processes and a court decision have essentially eliminated the line between what some call "full synthetic" (polyalphaolifin or PAO), which is often made from ethylene, and oil synthesized from crude. If there is a difference in protection between the two, it's small.

How Long Between Changes?

Even the automakers can't agree on the correct oil-change interval. While 3,000 miles between oil changes has long been promoted as cheap insurance, some auto manufacturers and environmentalists are recommending 10,000 miles or longer. The full answer lies with how you drive. If you rarely drive farther than 10 miles at a time (which doesn't get the oil hot enough to boil off moisture condensation) or you start your car frequently when the oil isn't hot (which is when most engine wear occurs), you need to change oil more often: at least twice a year, even if that's every 1,000 miles. But if your daily commute is 20-plus miles of steady flatland freeway, don't be afraid to go as far as your vehicle maker recommends.

If you change your own oil, it's important to take the old oil to a recycling center — used motor oil is a significant contaminant to the ecosystem. Check Earth 911 for a recycling center near you. To learn how to do it yourself and save money, see "Change Your Oil."

If you don't change your own oil, make sure the technician removes the oil through the drain plug hole rather than sucking it out through the dipstick hole. Many believe the former removes more contaminants. The bottom line: Use the correct weight, properly certified motor oil and change it appropriately, and you can save your worries for something else.

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How to Pick the Right Motor Oil for Your Car

Let’s explain all of those confusing numbers, letters and terms to help you choose the right oil for your car.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

The owner's manual for your car will list its recommended oil weight, whether that's a standard format like 10W-30 or something more unusual. That number refers to the viscosity (or thickness) of the oil that you should use. You should adjust which weight and type for the seasons and your expected use of the car, which we’ll explain below. For regular use in moderate temperatures, what’s listed in your owner’s manual is fine. Always choose an oil from a brand that displays the starburst symbol that indicates the oil has been tested by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

You’ll also notice a two-character service designation on the container. API's latest service standards are SP for gasoline engines and CK-4 for diesels. These letters are based on a group of laboratory and engine tests that determine the oil’s ability to protect the engine from wear and high-temperature deposits and sludge. API has a full list of these standards here in case you’re curious, but make sure you’re buying an oil that’s been tested under a current standard. As of this writing, that includes SP, SN, SM, SL and SJ for gasoline engines and CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4, CH-4 and FA-4 for diesels.

Those are the basics, but there's a whole lot more to the story than that.

Pennzoil Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

Valvoline Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife, 10W-30 Synthetic Oil

Castrol Castrol 03093 GTX 10W-30 Motor Oil, 5 Quart

Shell Rotella T Rotella T6 Synthetic Diesel Motor Oil 5W-40 CJ-4

Understand the labels.

These are the labels you'll find on every container of reputable motor oil. The API doughnut on the right tells you if the oil meets a current service rating. It also provides the SAE ( Society of Automotive Engineers ) viscosity number and tells you if the oil has passed the Resource Conserving test. The starburst symbol on the left indicates that the oil has passed the service tests listed in the other doughnut.

Viscosity refers to a fluid's resistance to flow. Most motor oils’ viscosity is rated based on how thick it is at zero degrees Fahrenheit (represented by the number preceding the W, which stands winter, as well as its thickness at 212 degrees (represented by the second number after the dash in the viscosity designation).

Motor oil becomes thinner and runnier as it heats up and thickens as it cools. Within reason, thicker oil generally maintains a better film of lubrication between moving parts and seals vital components of your engine better. With the right additives to help it resist thinning too much in the heat, an oil can be rated for one viscosity when cold and another viscosity when hot. The more resistant oil is to thinning, the higher the second number (10W-40 versus 10W-30, for example) will be, and that's good.

Meanwhile, in low temperatures, oil has to be resistant to excessive thickening so it can still flow properly to all the moving parts in your engine. Excessive thickness can make it more difficult to start the engine, which reduces fuel economy. If the oil is too thick, the engine requires more energy to turn the crankshaft, which is partly submerged in a bath of oil. A lower number is better before the W for cold-weather performance, so a 5W oil is typically what's recommended for winter use. However, synthetic oils can be formulated to flow even more easily when cold, so they are able to pass tests that meet the 0W rating.

Once the engine is running, the oil heats up, which is why a higher second number is especially important for extreme uses and hotter-running, more complicated engines.

Why So Many Oils?

Look in auto parts stores and you'll see oils labeled for all kinds of specific purposes: high-tech engines, new cars, higher-mileage vehicles, heavy-duty/off-road SUVs, and even cars from certain countries. You'll see a wide selection of viscosities.

If you read your owner's manual, you'll know what oil the vehicle’s manufacturer recommended to use when it was brand-new. The manual may include a reference to Energy Conserving or Resource Conserving oils, which means that the oil passed a fuel economy lab test against a reference oil. While that doesn’t always translate to better fuel economy, most leading brands have at least some viscosities that are labeled as such.

How to Choose Between Synthetic and Conventional Motor Oil

Premium Conventional Oil : This is the standard new-car oil. All leading brands have these oils, which are available in several viscosities and tested under the latest API service level. Automakers usually specify a 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil for colder temperatures, with a 10W-30 oil as optional for higher ambient temperatures. These three ratings cover most light-duty vehicles on the road. Even more important, though, is changing the oil and filter regularly. We recommend changing your oil every 4,000 miles or four months. The absolute minimum is twice a year. If your car has an electronic oil-change indicator on its instrument cluster, follow its guidance instead and be sure to reset it once your oil change is done.

Full Synthetic Oil : Oils made for high-tech engines or heavy-duty uses, be it a Ford F-150 that tows frequently or a Chevrolet Corvette with the latest supercharged LS engine, are full of synthetic additives . These oils’ labels indicate whether they’ve passed stringent special tests for superior, longer-lasting performance in all the critical areas, from viscosity index to protection against deposits. They flow better at low temperatures and maintain peak viscosity at high temperatures. So, why shouldn't everyone use them? These oils are expensive and not every engine needs them. There may even be some features that your engine needs that synthetic oils don't have. Again, follow the guidance in your owner's manual.

Synthetic Blend Oil : These have a dose of synthetic oil mixed with organic oil, and are formulated to provide protection for somewhat heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Higher-Mileage Oil : Today's vehicles simply last longer. If you prefer to pay off your car and run the mileage well into the six figures, you have another oil choice:, oils formulated for higher-mileage vehicles. Almost two-thirds of the vehicles on the road have more than 75,000 miles on the odometer. Consequently, oil companies identified this as an area of customer interest, and have new oils they're recommending for these vehicles.

When your vehicle is somewhat older and has considerably more mileage, you may notice a few oil stains on the garage floor. Engine seals such as those around the crankshaft may have hardened and lost their flexibility, so they leak and may crack, especially at lower temperatures. You’ll need to check your oil levels more frequently and may need to top off your oil between oil changes.

Higher-mileage oils are formulated with conditioners that flow into the pores of the engine seals to restore their shape and increase their flexibility. Most rubber seals are designed to swell just enough to stop leaks, and oil refiners pick their "reswelling" ingredients carefully. Valvoline showed us the performance data of one of their seal conditioners that caused most seal materials to swell while reducing the swelling of one seal material that tended to expand too much from the ingredients found in some other engine oils.

You also may have noticed some loss of performance and engine smoothness due to engine wear on your higher-mileage vehicle. These higher-mileage oils also have somewhat higher viscosities. Even if the numbers on the container don't indicate it, there's a fairly wide range for each viscosity rating and the higher-mileage oils sit at the top of each range. They may also have additives to improve their viscosity index. The result? They seal your pistons better against their cylinder walls and won't leak as much through larger engine bearing clearances that have worn down with time. They also may have a higher dose of antiwear additives to try to slow that wear process.

If you have an older vehicle, these features may mean more to you than what you might get from a full synthetic at a fraction the price.

Going Deeper

An oil’s resistance to thinning in hotter temperatures is called the viscosity index. Although a higher second number is good, the oil also has to be robust , lasting for thousands of miles until the next oil change. Oil tends to lose viscosity from shear, which is the sliding motion in the tight clearances between metal surfaces,such as those found in bearings. So, resistance to viscosity loss—called shear stability—is necessary to enable the oil to maintain the lubricating film between those parts.

Unlike antifreeze , 95 percent of which is made up of one base chemical (typically ethylene glycol), petroleum-based engine oil contains a mixture of several different types of base oils—some of which are more expensive than others. Oil companies typically pick from a selection of five groups, each of which is produced in a different way and in different viscosities. The more expensive groups are more highly processed, in some cases with methods that produce a lubricant that can be classified as a synthetic. The so-called full synthetics contain chemicals that may be derived from petroleum but are so altered that they're not considered natural oil anymore. For example, one custom blend contained 10 percent polyalphaolefins (PAO), which is the most common type of chemical used as the primary ingredient in a full synthetic oil.

The base oil package in any oil makes up anywhere from 70 to 95 percent of the mix; and the rest is composed of additives. An oil with just 70 percent base oils isn’t necessarily better than one with 95 percent base oils. Some base oils have natural characteristics or ones that derive from their processing, which reduce or eliminate the need for additives. Although some additives make improvements lubrication, they don't necessarily have great lubricity on their own.

The ingredients in an additive package differ in cost, but price is just one factor. Some additives work better in certain combinations of base oils. Likewise, some less expensive base oils are a good choice for a blend because of the way they perform with popular additives. Bottom line: Every motor oil has a recipe. Refiners come up with a list of objectives based on the needs of their customers (including the carmakers themselves) and formulate oils to meet those goals as best they can.

Keeping an oil from thinning as it gets hot while it takes a beating from engine operation is one thing, but it's also important to keep oil from becoming too thick. Using less volatile premium base oils to prevent evaporation is one approach. Evaporation of the base oil package not only increases oil consumption—it results in thicker oil, which decreases fuel economy.

Oil Additives

Oil companies’ use of additives is another approach to improving and maintaining oil performance. High engine temperatures combine with moisture, combustion byproducts (such as unburned gasoline), rust, corrosion, engine-wear particles and oxygen to produce sludge and varnish, which can gum up and damage the engine. Additives help maintain good lubrication by minimizing sludge and varnish. Here are the main categories of additive ingredients and why they're important:

• Viscosity-index improvers : These reduce the oil's tendency to thin with increasing temperature.

• Detergents : Unlike the kind you use to wash clothes, detergents in oil don't scrub engine surfaces. They do remove some deposits—primarily solids. However, their main purpose is to keep surfaces clean by inhibiting the formation of high-temperature deposits, rust, and corrosion.

• Dispersants : These disperse solid particles by keeping them in a solution so they don't come together to form sludge, varnish or acids. Some additives work both as detergents and dispersants.

• Antiwear agents : Sometimes the lubricating film created by oil breaks down, so antiwear agents have to protect the metal surfaces. A zinc and phosphorus compound called ZDDP is a long-used favorite, along with other phosphorus (and sulphur) compounds. If you must know, ZDDP stands for zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate.

• Friction modifiers : These aren't the same as antiwear agents. They reduce engine friction and thus, can improve fuel economy. Graphite, molybdenum and other compounds are used for this.

• Pour-point depressants : Just because a 0 degrees Fahrenheit viscosity rating is low doesn't mean that oil will flow readily at low temperatures. Oil contains wax particles that can congeal and reduce flow, so these additives are used to keep it flowing in the cold.

Antioxidants : With tighter emissions regulations resulting in higher engine temperatures, antioxidants are needed to prevent oxidation that thickens the oil. Some of the additives that perform other functions also serve this purpose, such as the antiwear agents.

• Foam inhibitors : The crankshaft whipping through the oil in the oil pan causes oil to foam. Oil foam is not as effective a lubricant as a liquid stream, so oils have foam inhibitors that cause the foam bubbles to collapse.

• Rust or corrosion inhibitors : These protect metal parts from acids and moisture.

More Is Not Better

You can't necessarily improve an oil by putting in more additives. In fact, you can make things worse. For example, sulphur compounds have antiwear and antioxidation characteristics, but they can reduce fuel economy and reduce the effectiveness of your catalytic converter. Too much of a specific dispersant can affect catalyst performance and reduce fuel economy. Antiwear and friction-reducing additives also may have ingredients that could affect catalyst performance, such as sulphur, which companies are being pressured to use less. Adding tToo much of some detergents can also affect antiwear characteristics.

Don't Forget the Filter

Oil filters are a completely different,albeit related, subject when it comes to changing your oil. Again, it's always best to consult your owner’s manual for the type of filter required. Some aftermarket filters are larger, so make sure you have some extra oil if you use one.

Fram FRAM Extra Guard Spin-On Oil Filter

Bosch Bosch 3323 Premium Oil Filter

Motorcraft Motorcraft FL-820-S Oil Filter

Stef Schrader routinely breaks and attempts to take project cars on race tracks. She enjoys fancy cheeses, good coffee, fast Porsches, traveling to new places and rare, weird cars. She lives with a large collection of Fisher-Price Puffalumps and an overloaded parts shed.

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The Best Conventional Motor Oils

Shopping for engine oil can be daunting, with numerous brands and options available in today’s marketplace. How do you choose from all the different companies offering motor oil when they all sound the same? Well, truth be told, most reputable brands will offer similar products, and in the case of this list, you really can’t go wrong with any of the options. Some oils are better quality than others, offering more performance and working harder to keep your engine clean. But many would argue that the general consumer won’t even notice the difference between Quaker State or Pennzoil. In fact, there have been studies conducted that show most oil brands have similar products.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best motor coils available—but only conventional motor oils. If you’re searching for the best synthetic motor oils, click here . Conventional motor oil is generally the most affordable engine oil you can purchase and offers basic protection for most engines. Generally, the majority of automakers will use conventional motor oil in a vehicle when it rolls off the assembly line for the break-in period, after which some owners will upgrade to semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil. But for most ordinary drivers, conventional motor oil is sufficient in maintaining your engine’s performance and life.

Where the performance of conventional motor oils suffer compared to synthetic oils is in extreme temperatures, and you’ll need to do more frequent oil changes. Ever heard that your car’s oil should be changed every 3,000 miles? That’s likely because it uses conventional motor oil.

We’ll detail more information you need to know about conventional motor oil after our product suggestions. For more information on the top 10 best motor oils, refer to our table of contents.

Table of contents

• 1. Editor's Pick: Castrol GTX Motor Oil

2. Valvoline Daily Protection Motor Oil

3. quaker state advanced durability motor oil, 4. amazonbasics motor oil, 5. havoline motor oil, 6. pennzoil motor oil.

• 7. Lucas Oil Hot Rod & Classic Motor Oil

8. Formula Shell Motor Oil

9. stp motor oil, 10. acdelco professional motor oil, why is motor oil important, what are all these numbers and letters, how to change your car's engine oil: a breakdown by kshitij sharma, tools required, the procedure, recent updates, 1. editor's pick: castrol gtx motor oil.

A premium conventional motor oil that has been around since the late 1960s, Castrol GTX is our top pick due to its reputation, price, and overall popularity even on Amazon. This motor oil is designed to offer superior protection against engine sludge (as measured in the Sequence VG Sludge Test), along with advanced protection against viscosity and thermal breakdown. It's formulated with premium quality base oils and anti-wear additives that help extend the life of your engine.

Castrol GTX is available as a 6 pack of 1-quart bottles, a 5-quart jug, 3 pack of 5-quart jugs, and a 6-gallon bottle. Choose from 10W-30 or 10W-40 viscosities. You can also choose from High Mileage, Synthetic, and High Mileage Synthetic options as part of Castrol's GTX lineup.

Product features:

• Extremely popular and reputable brand
• Superior protection against sludge—as measured in the Sequence VG Sludge Test
• Advanced protection against viscosity and thermal breakdown
• Formulated with premium quality base oils and anti-wear additives
• Helps extend the life of your engine
• Available in (6) 1-quart bottles, 5-quart jug, (3) 5-quart jugs, 6-gallon bottle
• 10W-30 and 10W-40 viscosities

Formulated with advanced additives for year-round engine protection is Valvoline's Premium Conventional Motor Oil. The company's lineup of motor oils is available in multiple viscosities: 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50, SAE 30, SAE 40, and SAE 50. Amazon offers Valvoline's conventional motor oil in single units of 1- or 5-quart bottles, a 6 pack of 1-quart bottles, or a 3 pack of 5-quart bottles.

Valvoline uses added detergents to help protect against sludge and deposits, while high quality additives resist motor oil breakdown in tough conditions. The company's conventional motor oil meets the API SN Plus classification, protecting engines from Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI).

In addition, each bottle features trademarked Easy Pull Tab, Precision Pour Spout, and Anti-Glug Tube.

• Available in multiple viscosities: 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50, SAE 30, SAE 40, and SAE 50
• Select from single units of 1- or 5-quart bottles, (6) pack of 1-quart bottles, or (3) pack of 5-quart bottles
• Added detergents to protect against sludge and deposits
• High quality additives resist motor oil breakdown
• Meets API SN Plus classification
• Trademark features: Easy Pull Tab, Precision Pour Spout, and Anti-Glug Tube

Quaker State's conventional motor oil is part of its Advanced Durability lineup and is available in a single 5-quart bottle, a 6 pack of 1-quart bottles, or a 3 pack of 5-quart bottles. Designed to protect against corrosion, Quaker State's Advanced Durability conventional motor oil contains acid-neutralizing additives to stop combustion acids from damaging your engine. Formulated to meet the fuel economy requirements of the GF-5 Industry standard, this oil meets or exceeds North American warranty requirements for worldwide automakers.

This oil will maintain viscosity grade from start to finish, giving your engine optimal protection so it can survive daily commutes, from sustained high-speed highway operation to repetitive stop-and-go traffic.

• Available in (1) 5-quart bottle, (6) 1-quart bottles, or (3) 5-quart bottles
• Designed to protect against corrosion
• Acid-neutralizing additives stop combustion acids from damaging the engine
• Maintains viscosity grade from start to finish
• Meets fuel economy requirements of the GF-5 Industry standard
• Meets or exceeds North American warranty requirements for worldwide automakers

AmazonBasics may not be a well-known brand when it comes to the automotive industry, but in recent years, Amazon's own line of products has expanded at a rapid pace to all types of markets. This conventional motor oil is available in 0W-20, 0W-40, 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50 viscosities. It can be purchased in a 1-gallon jug, a 5-quart bottle, or a 6 pack of 1-quart bottles.

Formulated to keep engines properly lubricated and protected, this affordable option is API SN and ILSAC GF-5 approved. It's designed to help prevent buildup that can cause rust and corrosion, AmazonBasics' conventional motor oil reduces friction for less engine wear. The oil has high resistance to viscosity and thermal breakdown, while also helping reduce exhaust emissions.

AmazonBasics' conventional motor oil is manufactured by Warren Distribution, Inc., which is North America's largest manufacturer of private label lubricants.

• Affordable, like all AmazonBasics products
• Available in 0W-20, 0W-40, 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50 viscosities
• Select from 1-gallon, 5-quart, or (6) 1-quart bottles
• API SN and ILSAC GF-5 approved
• Keeps engines properly lubricated and protected
• Prevents buildup that can cause rust and corrosion
• Reduces friction for less engine wear
• High resistance to viscosity and thermal breakdown
• Helps reduce exhaust emissions
• Manufactured by Warren Distribution, Inc.

Havoline's conventional motor oil features Deposit Shield Technology, which the company says protects against deposit and sludge formation, while providing excellent protection of critical engine parts. This oil works to shield against thermal breakdown, while cleaning the engine and positive crankcase ventilation systems to minimize deposit formations under heavy load and stop-and-go traffic. Like other oils on our list, Havoline's conventional offering meets or exceeds warranty requirements of automakers that rely on an API SN motor oil.

All grades of Havoline's conventional motor oils are formulated with high quality base stocks and contain detergent, dispersant, wear control, antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, and foam suppressant additives. A high level of dispersancy protects against deposit and sludge formation from constant traffic and sustained high temperature operation.

This oil is available in a 5-quart jug and can also be purchased in a pack of 3. Our link below takes you to the 5W-30 variant.

• Available in a 5-quart jug or (3) 5-quart jugs
• Deposit Shield Technology protects against deposit and sludge formation
• Works to protect against thermal breakdown
• Cleans the engine and positive crankcase ventilation systems
• Meets or exceeds warranty requirements that rely on an API SN motor oil
• Formulated with high quality base stocks
• Contains detergent, dispersant, wear control, antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, and foam suppressant additives
• High level of dispersancy protects against deposit and sludge formation

From Pennzoil is its conventional motor oil that promises to clean up to 40% of engine sludge in the first oil change. It'll of course continue to clean on the second and subsequent changes, by gently lifting sludge deposits off engine surfaces and dissolving them safely into the oil. In addition, Pennzoil's formula controls high temperature oxidation and deposits, while offering enhanced emission system protection compared to GF-4 and earlier service categories.

Formulated with Active Cleansing Agents, this oil will continuously work to prevent dirt and contaminants from turning into performance-robbing deposits. It meets or exceeds requirements of ILSAC GF-5, API SN Plus, API SN and all previous categories, as well as Chrysler MS-6395.

All of Pennzoil's products are backed by the Pennzoil Lubrication Limited Warranty, offering coverage up to 300,000 miles or 10 years (whichever is first) if you exclusively use Pennzoil Platinum, Pennzoil Gold, Pennzoil High Mileage, or Pennzoil motor oil. The warranty covers 15 critical engine parts and is customized for each driver's specific OEM recommended oil change schedule.

• Cleans up to 40% of engine sludge in first oil change
• Gently lifts sludge deposits off engine surfaces and dissolves them safely into the oil
• Controls high temperature oxidation and deposits
• Enhanced emission system protection
• Formulated with Active Cleansing Agents
• Meets or exceeds requirements of ILSAC GF-5, API SN Plus, API SN and all previous categories, as well as Chrysler MS-6395
• Backed by Pennzoil Lubrication Limited Warranty

7. Lucas Oil Hot Rod & Classic Motor Oil

Lucas Oil has a wide lineup of offerings, but one of its most popular conventional motor oils is this Hot Rod & Classic Motor Oil. Of course if you're not running a hot rod or classic, look at other oils Lucas Oil has to offer. Available in a 5-quart jug, this oil contains high levels of ZDDP (Zinc) that is necessary to protect flat tappet cams, lifters, and pushrods. Designed to provide excellent thermal stability in case of overheating, this oil contains special Lucas additives that protect against rust, corrosion, and dry starts that occur when a vehicle sits unused for a long period of time.

This oil is available in 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50 and our link below will take you to the 10W-30 variant, but search if you'd like a different viscosity.

• Specially formulated for hot rod and classic cars
• Available in 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50 in 5-quart jug
• Contains high levels of ZDDP (Zinc) to protect flat tappet cams, lifters, and pushrods
• Provides excellent thermal stability
• Lucas additives protect against rust, corrosion, and dry starts

Formula Shell's conventional motor oil is designed to offer protection against harmful deposits and acids, helping keep your engine run clean for a long time. This oil is formulated to improve fuel economy and works to provide protection against extremely high temperatures. If your car is equipped with a turbocharged engine, Formula Shell's oil also helps protect against low-speed pre-ignition. It's safe to use at anytime in an engine's life cycle and is fully compatible with conventional engine oils.

Formula Shell's conventional motor oil is available in 5W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50 options, in either a 5-quart jug or a dozen 1-quart bottles.

• Available in 5W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50 viscosities
• Select from (12) 1-quart bottles or a 5-quart jug
• Offers protection for extremely high temperatures
• Formulated to improve fuel economy
• Fights harmful deposits and acids
• Protects against low-speed pre-ignition on modern turbocharged engines
• Can be used anytime in an engine's life cycle

STP may not be as popular of a brand as Pennzoil or Quaker State, but it still offers an affordable, quality oil. Scientifically formulated to insulate your engine from wear and tear, this conventional motor oil controls sludge formation while cleaning vital engine components. Offering protection against rust and corrosion, STP says its oil helps reduce engine wear while maintaining fuel economy. The bottle also features a wider spout that makes it easier to pour.

Amazon offers half a dozen of 1-quart bottles in 5W-30 at an affordable price, which is the link below. If you need a different viscosity or lower quantity, be sure to search on the site.

• Affordable 6 pack of 1-quart bottles
• Formulated to insulate your engine from wear and tear
• Controls sludge formation
• Cleans key engine components
• Protects against rust and corrosion
• Helps maintain fuel economy
• Wider spout makes it easier to pour

ACDelco is General Motors' Original Equipment parts brand and is responsible for producing over 90,000 GM OE and other parts. This conventional motor oil meets U.S. standards for API SN service classification, along with meeting and exceeding ILSAC GF-5 energy conserving performance standards. Not surprisingly, it also meets manufacturers' warranty requirements for passenger car and light-duty trucks. Formulated with a premium mineral-based solution, this oil protects against high temperature deposits, as well as the formation of sludge and varnish deposits to keep your engine running clean. It also provides engine cleanliness by controlling thermal breakdown under normal driving conditions.

• GM's OE parts brand
• Meets U.S. standards for API SN, meets and exceeds ILSAC GF-5, meets manufacturers' warranty requirements
• Formulated with a premium mineral-based solution
• Protects against high temperature deposits, formation of sludge and varnish deposits
• Controls thermal breakdown

Unless you own an electric vehicle, your car's engine needs oil. Its main and most important function is to prevent friction inside your engine, since it's full of moving parts. Motor oil is essential to keep these parts lubricated so they work as efficiently as they were designed to function. And where there's friction, there's heat—which is also bad for an engine. Ever heard of overheating or even frying an engine? That's because the oil—of lack of it—wasn't doing its job.

In addition to preventing friction and heat buildup within your engine, quality motor oil will keep your engine clean by preventing rust, corrosion, and oxidation.

When you're shopping for motor oil, you'll notice they're offered in different viscosities, which by definition is "a quantity expressing the magnitude of internal friction, as measured by the force per unit area resisting a flow in which parallel layers unit distance apart have unit speed relative to one another." That probably just made it more confusing.

Simply put, motor oils have an SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) rating that explains the viscosity of the engine oil—how thin or thick it is. So let's breakdown what the SAE rating actually means.

Let's start by looking at a popular oil choice, 10W-30. The first set of numbers and letters (10W), means that particular oil has a viscosity grade of 10 when tested at colder temperatures. The "W" standards for winter. The following number after the dash is the viscosity grade of the oil when an engine's temperature is at 212ºF. If you live in an area that doesn't have extremely cold temperatures, you may not care about your oil's performance in the cold. And that's where oils that just say SAE 30 or SAE 50 come into play. Those oils have not been tested in cold temperatures.

If you do live in an area that experiences cold temperatures, you'll want an engine oil with low W viscosity. Low viscosity oil is recommended for cold starts, since the oil is thinner and can flow quicker through your engine.

Photo credit: Nejron Photo / Shutterstock.com

Alright, so social distancing in is full swing and you are doing your part to help the world recover from this crisis. Just before this all went down though, you were scheduled in for an oil change. And that is driving you a little crazy, because you love your car. Every drive you take, no matter how short, you're worried about damaging the engine since you couldn’t change the engine oil.

But don’t worry, we have you covered. Changing your car's engine oil is far from a daunting task. It is quite simple and doesn’t take too long either. You do need to be careful and follow a procedure though—mostly to avoid making a mess.

Before you begin, however, you will need to check which engine oil the manufacturer recommends. The information is usually given in the owner’s manual. If you already have the recommended engine oil, let’s begin.

Photo credit: Shutter Baby Photo / Shutterstock.com

Changing the engine oil is one of simplest processes when it comes to working on cars. If you want to start working on cars, changing the oil yourself is a good place to start.

You will need an oil pan, a socket wrench, latex gloves and a filter wrench. Though in some cases you can remove the filter by hand or by other hacks, we highly recommend you invest in the right tool. As for the socket wrench, the ⅜-inch is the most common size for the drain plug, though sizes can run between ¼-inch and ¾-inch.

Also, make sure you have the right oil filter for your car. The spin-on type is the most common oil filter. Plus, the location of the oil filter is given in the owner’s manual.

Photo credit: Fun Fun Photo / Shutterstock.com

There are two ways to go about changing the engine oil: the warm method and the cool method. The warm method is the more recommended one. You drive your car around the block a couple of times until the engine reaches the optimal temperature. Then park it on a level surface and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This method thins the oil down so the flow is more uniform and the oil also gathers up all the minute impurities and debris them might be in the engine at the time.

The cool method is the one we recommend and is especially useful for old cars. It also beneficial as the car is not driven there is no leftover pressure between the filter and the sump so the flow is more controllable. And if it’s an old car, it is a great way to check for coolant leaks as well.

Photo credit: Nongasimo / Shutterstock.com

First, start off by parking your car on level ground. The sump is always tilted towards the drain plug to aid oil removal so you don’t need to place the car on a jack.

Next, place the oil pan underneath the drain plug. Make sure it is slightly off-center.

Undo the drain plug. If you are doing the cool method, get a small glass jar and let the initial oil drain into the jar. That way you can test if the coolant is leaking into the engine. The anti-freeze and water are typically heavier than oil and will settle at the drain plug and will drain out first.

Next, let the oil drain and get yourself a cup of coffee.

By the time you’re done with your coffee, the oil should’ve drained completely. The next step is to remove the oil filter.

Make sure you have ample grip and the wrench is snug before you turn it anti-clockwise to loosen the air filter. The oil will splash out so be prepared. And if you used the warm-up method, then the splash could be a bit more aggressive compared to the cold method.

Next, oil the seal of the new filter liberally with the new oil before screwing it back in. After the oil filter is in give it just a ¾ twist to tighten it. Do not over-tighten so you can easily remove it during the next oil change. Screw the drain plug back as well and follow the same procedure as the oil filter.

Now the final step, adding the oil into the engine. Pour about half in to the engine and then switch the car on for about five minutes. This helps the oil spread around and avoid overflow. Next pour in the rest, close the oil filler cap and you're done.

Finally, it is advisable that you drive the car for about 10 minutes before letting it rest for the rest of the day. Have fun.

December 22, 2021: Updated outdated product links.

October 13, 2021: Added additional product links.

August 4, 2021: Removed promoted product recommendation.

January 21, 2021: Updated with a promoted product recommendation.

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works .

Main photo credit: Seasontime / Shutterstock.com

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

More by Jason Siu

Join the conversation

Guy who drove 1964 Volvo p1800 using Castrol oils went 4 millions miles.will any heavy duty oil will works???????????.

This section discusses conventional motor oil. When an engine has used conventional all its life it doesnt do well switching to synthetic as I can attest to.

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• Castrol Global
• MOTOR OIL AND FLUIDS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL, FULL SYNTHETIC AND SYNTHETIC BLEND MOTOR OILS?

Not all motor oils are the same, but you may not know that at the outset. Learn how full synthetic engine oil compares vs conventional and synthetic blends.

COMPARING THE TYPES OF MOTOR OIL

Motor oils are formulated and marketed as conventional, full synthetic, synthetic blend, also referred to as semi synthetic or part synthetic.  What is the difference between them?  The difference lies in the type of base oils that are used in the formulation and this is what defines these motor oil categories.

 WHAT IS CONVENTIONAL MOTOR OIL?

The base oil used in a conventional motor oil is 100% mineral oil which is obtained through the refining of crude oil.  Here the crude oil is distilled and cleaned up to produce a high-quality base oil. This is done without substantial molecular changes being made to the hydrocarbons in the base oil during the process.   

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FULL SYNTHETIC AND SYNTHETIC BLEND OIL?

A synthetic base oil is derived though the creation of new base oil components (synthesis) to produce a stronger performing base fluid. For a full synthetic motor oil 100% of the base oil composition contains these stronger synthesized base oil components.For synthetic blend motor oils the base oil composition is a combination of synthetic and conventional base oils.  There is no definition of how much synthetic needs to be included in a semi or part synthetic motor oil.  The use of synthetic base oil can substantially improve the performance of the motor oil. Synthetic base oils improve low temperature performance, provide higher thermal stability or heat resistance, possess better oil burn of performance or lower volatility, enable lighter viscosity motor oils such as 0W-20 to be formulated, and can help improve motor oil shear stability or the ability to resist viscosity breakdown.

WHAT IS BETTER, SYNTHETIC BLEND OR FULL SYNTHETIC OIL?

The more synthetic base oil contained in a motor oil in general the better the performance.  In turn, a full synthetic motor oil formulated with a robust additive system will always be better than synthetic blends.  That said, a properly formulated synthetic blend can offer performance benefits over a conventional motor oil. 

HOW LONG DOES SYNTHETIC BLEND OIL LAST?

Adding synthetic base oil to motor can produce a stronger motor oil due to the benefit of synthetics.  Depending upon the amount of synthetic in the base oil composition the synthetic blend motor oil can be more resistant to the various factors that can degrade a motor oil.  Castrol incorporates a material amount of synthetic in our part synthetic formulations to help improve oil burn off performance as well as low temperature flow.  That said a robust additive system is also critical to the overall performance of the motor oil.  Thus, one must consider both in judging performance.  While the incorporation of synthetic can produce stronger motor oils, Castrol always recommends that one follow the vehicle manufacturers recommendation for oil service and engine oil drain intervals.

Castrol Engine Oil Brands

Castrol EDGE

CASTROL GTX FULL SYNTHETIC

Castrol® GTX®

Full synthetic motor oils.

Castrol EDGE is an advanced full synthetic motor oil, engineered for drivers who want only the best from their engines.

CASTROL EDGE EXTENDED PERFORMANCE

Castrol Edge Extended Performance provides unsurpassed protection for critical engine parts, ensuring optimal performance.

Castrol GTX Full Synthetic provides maximum protection to help extend engine life, so you get more miles of driving enjoyment from your car.

CASTROL EDGE HIGH MILEAGE

Castrol® EDGE® High Mileage is an advanced full synthetic motor oil that is specifically designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles

Synthetic Blend Oil

Castrol GTX HIGH MILEAGE

Castrol® GTX® High Mileage Motor Oil has been liquid engineered specifically for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles on the odometer. Not only does it protect against sludge, wear and burn-off, it features Phosphorous Replacement Technology to help protect your car's emission system from catalytic converter failure.

Conventional Motor Oil

Castrol GTX

Sludge can form in engine oilways, blocking them up to reduce power and engine life. Castrol® GTX® is a premium conventional motor oil that has been helping to extend engine life since 1968. It does so thanks to a double-action formula that cleans away old sludge and prevents new sludge from forming.

Castrol GTX Diesel

Diesel engines are designed to last for more miles and deliver better mileage along the way. But they can only do that with regular oil changes and the right diesel oil formulation. Castrol® GTX® Diesel is liquid engineered to fight sludge, protect particulate filters and preserve engine efficiency.

YOUR SAVINGS ARE IN YOUR INBOX

Much like blood is the lifeline to keep the human body moving and pumping, motor oil is the lifeline to keep vehicle engines working properly and efficiently, pumping out energy and power to get you where you’re going. 

“Engines are designed with oil in mind, and they are meant to work as a team together,” says Valvoline™ Senior Scientist Erin Findley.

In basic terms, motor oil coats all moving parts within an engine to allow for efficient, effortless, and continuous proper operation. But it’s also much more: not only does it lubricate parts to keep them functioning optimally, it also cools, cleans, and seals engines.

Without oil to coat moving parts, engines would immediately seize and break. Failing to properly maintain a vehicle with regular oil changes can be a recipe for eventual failure – and potentially high repair bills that come with it.

It’s a no-brainer: spend a few bucks regularly on a few containers of motor oil, or eventually spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on engine repairs down the road – all the way up to potentially necessitating a brand new engine under your hood. Most parts contained within an engine need the lubrication capability oil possesses to keep moving efficiently and at peak performance.

If a car owner fails to maintain the oil level in his/her vehicle (typically 4-5 quarts), or fails to change oil at regular intervals, the projected lifetime of the engine can be significantly shortened as a result. Working in conjunction with both the oil pump and oil filter, motor oil performs a plethora of jobs:

• Helps engines stay cool so that heat does not cause internal parts to break down.

• Reduces wear and tear on the parts.

• Seamlessly moves loose particles (especially from the combustion chamber) from the engine to the oil filter so that they're removed on the next maintenance service.

• Forms a protective layer to prevent corrosion of engine surfaces.

• Helps maintain or improve fuel economy.

Valvoline manufactures motor oil for virtually all uses, including specialized products for specialized uses. 

But just like different foods can provide a wide variety of nutrition, power, health, and energy to the human body and potentially extend its lifespan, different forms of motor oil for various needs and uses – particularly a member of the Valvoline family of motor oils – can help keep your vehicle running smoothly, operating optimally and efficiently, and will ultimately extend its lifespan. Which motor oil is right for you? To begin with, always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for compatibility and warranty information, and check out "Why Is There More Than One Type of Motor Oil?"  

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Valvoline Night School ALL Oil Batteries Belts Brakes Bulbs Coolant Diesel Filters Racing Restoring Tires Transmission Misc.

How to choose the right coolant for your vehicle, night school: how to flush coolant, coolant 101: what is coolant and why do i need it, back to basics: what is motor oil and why do you need it, the specs: why is there more than one type of motor oil, night school: how to change motor oil, jump start your car battery the safe way, back to basics: how do batteries work, the specs: a breakdown of automotive batteries, the specs: when to replace your serpentine belt, back to basics: car belts and how they work, night school: how to replace a serpentine belt, back to basics: inside brakes and how they operate, the specs: choosing the right brake pads, night school: how to change brake pads, back to basics: types of headlights, the specs: how to troubleshoot exterior lighting issues, night school: how to change a headlight, how to change oil in a diesel, diesel engine oil: let’s talk viscosity, back to basics: diesel vs. gasoline engines, the specs: choosing the right filters for your car, back to basics: understanding the four types of auto filters, back to basics: why oil filters are necessary, speed academy episode 5: air intake installation, speed academy episode 4: coilover installation, speed academy episode 3: racing harness installation, hooniverse episode 5: it all comes together, hooniverse episode 4: exhaust, hooniverse episode 3: camshaft and valve seals, back to basics: tires by type, the specs: how to read the sidewall of a tire, night school: how to mount a tire, the specs: choosing the right atf for your vehicle, back to basics: the ins and outs of the automatic transmission and the fluid that keeps it going, night school: how to change transmission fluid, how to detail your car like a professional, recommended.

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Lucas Oil Synthetic Motor Oil and Rear Gear Oil Change Review

Lucas Oil has been in the high-performance lubricants biz for a long time. Founded in 1989, the Indianapolis-based company has been on the cutting edge of product development and improvement, often through the experience gained from the torture-testing of heavy-duty trucking, agricultural machinery, and racing. That experience has translated into some top-line performance products for your street ride. We looked at a couple of those products—Lucas High Performance Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (10W-40) and Lucas SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil—for use in my 1985 Honda VF700C Magna .

Despite being nearly 40 years old, the Magna is an excellent platform for considering these advanced products. It has a liquid-cooled DOHC V4 engine that cranks out a claimed 82 horsepower at 9500 rpm, has a 10,000 rpm redline, and is equipped with a shaft drive. According to product literature and the product label, Lucas Oil’s full-synthetic motor oil is formulated precisely for those engine properties.

The rear drive-gear unit contains the helical gear set that gets that horsepower to the rear wheel and must operate under tremendous stress where the drive gears mesh. That requires the use of oil with a high viscosity index and high lubricity to prevent excessive friction, heat build-up, and wear over the long haul.

Another factor in using full-synthetic lubricants in a bike such as my high-mileage Magna is the need for optimum friction protection. The motorcycle has nearly 50,000 miles on its all-original engine and drivetrain. After that many miles of service, the driveline components have worn enough to have the potential for part-to-part clearances slightly greater than original spec. That can lead to increased wear if the lubricants break down quickly because they can’t handle the heat and friction. Full-synthetic oils are less susceptible to deterioration and can offer longer service life between oil changes for the engine and drive gear.

This is where the how and why of synthetic vs conventional oil comes in. In terms of molecular structure, synthetic oils provide uniform, engineered structure; conventional oils are made up of non-uniform, random-structure molecules.

In lab tests commissioned by the American Automobile Association (AAA), using American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods, on average, full-synthetic oils outperform conventional oils by 47 percent on properties such as shear stability, deposit formation, volatility, cold-temperature pumpability, oxidation resistance, and oxidation-induced viscosity changes. Additionally, the additive packages used in full-synthetic and conventional oils will affect performance.

Some synthetic oils are made from base oils obtained from crude oil, categorized by the American Petroleum Institute (API) as Groups I through III. The most common base oils are Group IV, which do not contain a conventional oil base and are fully synthetic, known as polyalphaolefins (PAO). Group V base oils contain diesters and polyol.

The products we’re looking at are the Lucas SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil, which is formulated using Group III, IV, and V base oils, plus Lucas High Performance Synthetic Motorcycle Oil, which has API Group III base oils.

Conventional oils are generally more susceptible to degradation due to oxidation and contamination when exposed to combustion byproducts. That can lead to the development of varnish, sludge, and other deposits in the engine, as well as reduced lubrication effectiveness.

The higher viscosity index (VI) typical of full synthetics means they are more stable, creating lubricant flow at high and low temperatures and better lubricant film thickness between sliding or rotating metal-part surfaces—a crucial wear-prevention factor. These two characteristics give full-synthetic lubricants longer service life expectancies between oil changes.

The viscosity index for the 10W-40 engine oil is 189 (typical conventional 10W-40 comes in at about 160), and the viscosity index for the 75W-90 gear oil is 145 (typical conventional gear oil comes in at about 150). The higher the VI, the greater the stability of the oil’s viscosity through the temperature range. A higher VI is necessary for engine oil because engine temperatures are much higher than the rear gear drive unit. Disadvantages of full-synthetic lubricants include generally higher cost than conventional oils for the same application, and the potential for additive separation at very low temperatures for extended periods.

Generally speaking, sticking with your machine’s manufacturer’s recommendations for the specifications of lubricants and service intervals for each application is the way to go. For a new bike, you have your warranty coverage to consider, though new motor oil specs probably require the use of at least semi-synthetic oil.

Full-synthetic oils were not in general use when my Honda VF700C Magna was manufactured, so the recommended lubricants and service intervals were all based on conventional oils. My bike is long out of warranty, so I want to protect that expensive-to-repair-or-replace engine and drivetrain; switching to full-synthetic products makes sense.

It’s important to note that Lucas Oil offers two variants of 10W40 full-synthetic motor oil. One variant has moly additives and is not recommended for use in engines with wet clutches. The other does not contain moly and is formulated for compatibility with wet clutches—as is the case with my VF700, so that’s what we’re using.

The engine oil and filter change process on the Honda V4 is common—there’s a spin-on oil filter and a 17mm hex sump drain plug on the bottom of the engine. However, there is a second 10mm hex drain plug on the front of the forward cylinder head. Removing that plug drains about half a cup of oil that would remain in the cylinder head without that second drain point. With a filter change, the engine takes 3.1 quarts of oil.

The rear drive-gear unit has a 6mm Allen head drain plug on the base of the housing and a 17mm hex filler cap. It takes 110cc of gear oil, which I find is easier to install with precision and without spilling using a 60cc syringe available from a pharmacy.

This is the first use of full-synthetic lubricants for my Honda’s V4 engine and rear final drive unit, and I’m very interested in two things—long-term value and short-term indications of performance changes. As mentioned, the engine oil service interval will be longer, but I’ll check the oil level and clarity often. Also, ExxonMobil suggests more frequent oil changes when transitioning from conventional to synthetic motor oil, as the synthetic oil will clean up deposits that will end up in the oil filter. The rear drive unit oil will also go to longer service intervals, and the clarity of the oil at the next change will be of interest.

One thing that I’ve noted in my first days of riding after using Lucas High Performance Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (10W-40) and Lucas SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil changes has been the minimal heat to the touch of the rear gear unit at the end of the day. This is strictly subjective as I don’t have actual temperature readings of the rear unit post-ride with conventional hypoid gear oil to compare with. However, I do recall the rear unit being quite warm to the touch in the past with conventional oil; with the full-synthetic oil, it has been only lukewarm to cool. That may be expected, as minimizing friction and heat build-up are key claimed benefits of using full-synthetic. I’ll keep you posted.

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Hello everyone and welcome to Motos and Friends, brought to you by the Editors at Ultimate Motorcycling.  My name is Arthur Coldwells.

This week’s first segment is the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 , one of the highest performing naked upright sportbikes out there. Senior Editor Nic de Sena recently returned from the launch of the all-new three-cylinder Yamaha, and it seems he was impressed.

Motos and Friends is brought to you by Arai helmets . If you’re into Dual-Sport, then you’ll want to check out the new Arai XD-5 . It’s a completely redesigned helmet, and as with everything from Arai, every improvement is made with a priority for protection. One of the major changes is the new VAS-A visor system, derived from the one originally developed for the Corsair-X. The new visor is designed to maximize surface area to glance off impact energy whilst at the same time offering easy installation and removal of the visor and peak. 

Arai is obsessed with every detail—even those unseen. There is such a thing as “The Arai Difference”.   For instance, if your experience has been that helmets are hard to get on, then try the Arai Contour-X , designed with a wider bottom opening for easier on/off.  Once on, you will be impressed at the amazing comfort of the Contour-X, especially if you’re into long-distance touring.

So get to your local dealer and try out the full range of Arai helmets. You will be instantly amazed at the fit and all-day comfort of any Arai helmet. You should also check out AraiAmericas.com to learn more.

In our second segment this week, Teejay Adams chats with national-level Moto Trials rider and GasGas engineer Daniel Blancgonnet. Trials is an interesting discipline as although it is without doubt the slowest of all motorcycle sport, it is also arguably the hardest one to be really good at. Daniel gives us his interesting insight into what the sport is about, why he finds it so challenging, and what he really loves about it. Doing that while also working for the Pierer Mobility Group and GasGas at the same time just might be the perfect motorcycle career!     

So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode.

We love your feedback! Please comment or suggest:

  @ultimatemotorcycling

  @UltimateMotoMag

  @UltimateMotorcycling

  [email protected]

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5 Things to Know About Oil Changes for Your Car

Understand when and how often to change it, what type your car needs, and more

Even as cars become increasingly sophisticated, motor oil remains the engine’s lifeblood, and caring for this fluid is vital. Fortunately, this is a rather simple task—and your car’s onboard computer can help.

• When to Change the Motor Oil
• How Often to Check the Oil Level
• How Often to Change the Motor Oil
• Choosing the Right Oil for Your Car
• Does Your Car Need Synthetic Oil?

Car Maintenance Myths

Many cars have a built-in service minder that signals when an oil change is needed, based on usage, and some will even indicate if the oil level is low. But it’s still smart to check the fluid yourself every other fill-up. It may seem redundant, but it’s a good excuse to inspect under the hood, check other fluid levels, and look for anything else that might cause trouble, such as a worn belt, loose parts, corrosion on battery terminals, or signs of animal nesting.

Below, we provide answers to five common oil-related questions, with expert insights from Consumer Reports’ resident car mechanics John Ibbotson and Mike Crossen.

1. When to Change the Motor Oil

It needs to be changed when it’s either worn or aged out. The oil degrades from heat and pressure, and it collects harmful particles that need to be removed. Plus, oil breaks down over time, even when a car is parked for an extended period.

The specific guidance for your car can be found right in the glove box. The answer to the question of when to change the oil, and many others, is to check your owner’s manual . It should be your car maintenance and operation bible. Don’t make assumptions on the interval based on past experience or guidance from mechanics who profit from the work because the timing has evolved over the years. The manual may have specific guidance based on severe duty, referring to the driving conditions and possibly vehicle mileage.

The built-in service reminders are a great convenience. “These systems typically monitor the number of miles a vehicle has traveled, and they also track how hard the car is being driven, and adjust accordingly,” Ibbotson says. Think of it as an onboard personal adviser.

When buying a new or used car, be sure to read the manual to see if it’s equipped with a reminder and how it works. Some minders have settings, including the ability to turn them off or modify the time and mileage intervals. If you buy a used car, take the time to confirm that it’s set up as expected. You don’t want to keep waiting and waiting for a light to signal an oil change that will never come or misinterpret a light that’s meant to indicate a tire rotation rather than an oil change.

2. How Often to Check the Oil Level

Our mechanics recommend checking at least once a month or ideally every other gas fill-up. Don’t assume that a new car is exempt from this maintenance chore. Consumer Reports reliability survey results have shown that even newer cars can need the oil to be topped off between changes.

Check the owner’s manual and follow the automaker’s recommendations. Some newer cars have electronic oil monitors and don’t have traditional dipsticks for manual inspection. Our mechanics warn that the amount of oil left in some engines by the time an alert comes on can be shockingly low. 

Photo: iStock Photo: iStock

If you do have a dipstick and you’re checking it yourself, make sure the car is parked on level ground. If the engine has been running, be aware of potential hot spots under the hood. Most automakers recommend checking the oil level when the engine is cool.

With the engine off, open the car’s hood and find the dipstick. Pull it out from the engine and wipe off any oil from its end with a dust-free cloth or towel. Then insert the dipstick back into its tube and push it all the way back in.

Pull it back out, and this time quickly look at both sides of the dipstick to see where the oil is on the end. Every dipstick has some way of indicating the proper oil level, whether it’s two pinholes, the letters L and H (low and high), the words MIN and MAX, or simply an area of crosshatching. If the top of the oil “streak” is between the two marks or within the crosshatched area, the level is fine.

If the oil is below the minimum mark, you need to add oil. (Use the oil type recommended in the owner’s manual, adding no more than half a quart at a time. Let the car sit, then check again.)

Pay close attention to the old oil’s color. It should appear brown or black. If it has a light, milky appearance, this could mean coolant is leaking into the engine. Look closely for any metal particles, too, because this could mean there’s internal engine damage. If you see either of these conditions, take the car to a mechanic for further diagnosis.

If everything is okay, wipe off the dipstick again and insert it back into its tube, making sure it’s fully seated. Close the hood and you’re done.

If the oil is consistently low when checked, the engine is either burning the oil or leaking it. Either way, discuss this recurring problem with your mechanic.

3. How Often to Change the Motor Oil

The “every 3,000 miles or every three months” rule is outdated because of advances in both engines and oil. Many automakers have oil-change intervals at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles and six or 12 months.

“Your owner’s manual has more detailed information about your car than any mechanic does,” Ibbotson says. “Don’t get talked into too-often oil changes. Follow the manual and your car’s engine should stay well-lubricated and perform wel

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Over the course of two years and 30,000 miles, assuming that your oil change costs $90 a pop, you could save $540 if you get it changed every 7,500 miles vs. every 3,000 miles—plus a fair bit of time.

It’s not just about miles: If you don’t drive your car a lot, your oil still needs to be kept fresh. Even if you drive fewer miles each year than your automaker suggests for changing the oil (say, 6,000 miles, with suggested oil-change intervals at 7,500 miles), you should still be getting that oil changed twice a year.

Why? Oil becomes less effective as it ages, and by not getting the engine warm enough, excess contaminents that collect in the engine won’t be removed, which can lead to a shorter engine life.

Go to our guide to car maintenance and repair .

4. Choosing the Right Oil for Your Car

Again, take a look at your owner’s manual. “Don’t be upsold into synthetic oil if there is no need,” Ibbotson says.

In many newer models, the weight of the car’s motor oil is printed on the cap where you add oil, and it’s listed in the maintenance section of the owner’s manual. “Make sure you know what’s recommended or required by your automaker before you visit your mechanic so that you can control the cost of the oil they’re putting in,” he says.

Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

If you have a much older car, do you need special motor oil?

“Not if it’s running well,” Ibbotson says. “If you’re not sure what oil you should be using because you don’t have an owner’s manual, check with your local dealer or an online enthusiast group for your particular model.”

Don’t get creative with your engine oil choice. The automaker spent many millions of dollars to develop the engine, and it chose the recommended oil for a reason.

When changing the oil, be sure to use an original equipment or premium-grade oil filter rather than a budget filter. 

5. Does Your Car Need Synthetic Oil?

“Only if your manufacturer calls for it,” Ibbotson says, “because it can cost from two to four times as much as conventional oil.” He adds that most recent models use synthetic.

Synthetic oil is designed to be more effective at resisting breakdown (and because of that, it lasts longer) and withstanding high temperatures.

But he advises that there are situations where that resistance to breaking down can help prolong the life of your engine, making the upgrade from conventional oil worthwhile.

“If you make lots of short trips, standard motor oil may never get warm enough to burn off moisture and impurities, which means it may not be doing enough to protect your engine,” Ibbotson says.

Another consideration is your lifestyle. “If you live in a region with very cold winters or very hot summers, or if you use your vehicle for towing or hauling heavy material, synthetic oil is your best bet,” he says. “While synthetic generally holds up better and can serve for more miles, it is equally important to not extend oil changes beyond the time interval recommended by the manufacturer, typically six months or a year if it is a motor that is not driven many miles or on many short trips.”

Synthetic oil can also help engines that are prone to building up sludge. Some Volkswagen and Toyota models had sludge issues in the past. This residue, formed when oil breaks down, can block the flow of oil, leading to the quick death of an engine. Synthetic oil would be beneficial in these engines because it helps to reduce sludge buildup, helping to extend the engine’s life span.

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly. On the “ Consumer 101 ” TV show, host Jack Rico learns from Consumer Reports’ expert Jon Linkov the truth behind some of the biggest maintenance myths.

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Every Major Motorcycle Oil Brand Ranked

R iding a motorcycle can quickly become an obsession that goes far beyond being a simple mode of transportation. The feeling of controlling your mechanical steed as you barrel along with the scenery rushing past you is absolutely addictive and a great way to forget the troubles of the world. However, biking is something to be taken seriously, and as with any motor vehicle, maintenance is essential to staying safe on the road and ensuring your motorcycle operates at its best.

Keeping your bike's engine lubricated is a fundamental part of motorcycle maintenance, and there are many different oils available. High-performance motorcycle engines produce more pressure than car engines, meaning motorcycle oils must work much harder, and good quality oil is even more important. Factors that might affect your choice of motorcycle oil include your ideal viscosity grade, riding style, general climate conditions, and engine factors such as two-stroke and four-stroke mechanisms. The higher the viscosity grade, the thicker the oil. Low viscosities operate better in cooler temperatures, while high viscosities are well-suited to hot conditions.

Most major motorcycle oil brands create solutions to cover the spectrum of oil classifications , including conventional oil, full synthetic, and synthetic blends. Many also offer specialist options for advanced machines, small-capacity bikes, and V-twin engines. Here, we have identified the best brands producing motorcycle oil today and ranked them according to their quality, range, availability, and value for money.

Read more: 12 Major Motorcycle Brands Ranked Worst To Best

Certain motorcycle brands offer performance oils designed explicitly for their bikes. These oils are formulated to meet the unique requirements of their engines but, generally speaking, are suitable for any equivalent machine. Yamalube, from the legendary Yamaha company, is popular with both Yamaha owners and other brand enthusiasts, as it is a quality product that this top manufacturer is willing to put its name on.

Yamalube caters to all types of motorcycles, from 2-stroke oil for off-road bikes to full synthetic four-stroke oil for supersports machines. In fact, its range extends to outboard motors and golf buggies, so it really is a comprehensive selection that is tuned to specific vehicles. What this means is there is undoubtedly a Yamalube product to suit you, and if you ride a Yamaha bike , then there should be no question unless you have a specific requirement for your engine oil.

Non-Yamaha owners have a host of motorcycle oil options available to them, which are often more readily available and less expensive. For example, a premium, fully synthetic, high-performance Yamalube oil costs around $20.00, whereas you can buy an equivalent product from a dedicated oil manufacturer for around half that price. Yamalube is, therefore, placed at the bottom of this ranking.

Lucas Oil is a relative newcomer to the industry, having been established by the husband and wife team of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas in 1989. Its pioneering product was designed to increase mileage in commercial trucking, but ever since its early days, Lucas is a name that has been closely associated with motorsports due to prominent advertising at sporting events and several namesake stadiums.

As you might expect for such a sports-oriented company, Lucas is a brand known for producing high-performance engine oils. Its range covers petroleum-based, semi-synthetic, and full-synthetic oils and represents excellent value for money. Its full synthetic oil is available in several viscosities, and some products, such as its 10W-30 and 10W-50 oils, include clutch-saving technology specifically for high-revving engines.

While Lucas products are undoubtedly high in quality and good value for money, their range is limited to high-performance oils. These are great for high-capacity V-twins and high-revving bikes, but there is not much variance in the product line, making Lucas a little niche as compared to most other motorcycle oil brands and a low-ranking contender here.

Bel-Ray started out formulating lubricants for bakery machines out of a garage in New Jersey. It soon branched out into industrial lubricants that service all sorts of specialist equipment, including submarines. As such, the company is well-equipped to provide quality oils for the automotive market and has a strong reputation within the industry.

Bel-Ray offers a small but high-quality selection of motorcycle lubricants, including its EXL Mineral oils and EXS Synthetic Ester oils. Its products are often well-regarded in the off-road and racing communities, and it provides V-Twin-specific products to appease the American cruiser market. All Bel-Ray products adhere to standards set by the Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (JASO) and the American Petroleum Institute (API), aside from those that are tailored to custom and competition engines.

Bel-Ray offers an undoubtedly premium product, and it is highly regarded by industry authorities and the public alike. However, its range is comparatively small, and its premium 4T full synthetic ester oil is considerably more expensive than most other oils at around $25.00 per quart. It, therefore, features lower on this ranking as compared to more comprehensive brands but is well worth checking out, especially for its line of gear oils and fork lubricants.

Amsoil is a pioneering U.S. company founded by a jet fighter squadron commander who realized that extensive research and development were required to create the ultimate synthetic oil. These are manufactured from chemical compounds derived from petroleum, compared to mineral oils that are based on crude oil. He achieved this goal in 1972 when the American Petroleum Institute (API) recognized Amsoil as the first synthetic solution that met its high standards.

Amsoil is known for its extended drain intervals (oil longevity) and high-performance synthetic oils. It offers a range of motorcycle-specific oils that cater to different requirements that are divided into three categories for V-Twin, metric (i.e., European and Japanese), and off-road applications. While Amsoil produces several two-stroke and four-stroke dirt bike oils, as well as three viscosities for metric bikes, its extensive V-twin range is most impressive. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that this is an American company, the V-twin range offers a choice of four oil viscosities, as well as several kits to perform a full oil change service on your prized hog.

Anyone who rides an American motorcycle should have Amsoil on their radar, as it dedicates much of its high-quality products to the V-twin engines featured on brands like Harley-Davidson and Indian, among others. It prides itself on being a homegrown brand that caters to homegrown vehicles, but that's not to say its other products should be overlooked. While this may have been the company that put synthetic oil on the map, its high prices and inconsistent range make Amsoil a midfielder on this ranking.

Valvoline markets itself as "The Original Motor Oil," and that's not an unreasonable claim. Having been established in 1866, it was the first branded motor oil product, and it has since been sold in over 140 countries worldwide. Most notably, it produced the first single grade oil, which revolutionized the automotive world, as you no longer had to switch out your engine oil according to seasonal temperatures.

Valvoline produces motorcycle oils that cover a broad range of applications. It has options for two- and four-stroke engines and produces high-quality full-synthetic and semi-synthetic products. While there are fewer than 10 products in its line of motorcycle products, it is comprehensive and even includes scooter and racing-specific, as well as two-stroke (2T) and four-stroke (4T) options.

The Valvoline motorcycle oil range may be a little limited, but it is a brand with real heritage and quality products. Given that you can buy a quart of Valvoline full synthetic, high-grade motorcycle oil for under $10.00, it is hard to fault this brand.

Founded in California in 1979, Maxima has more of a niche product line focused on power sports, but its oils are high quality and designed specifically for two-wheelers and ATVs. Its range is impressive, covering many different vehicles and applications, and while its products may be racing-optimized, they will certainly perform well when used domestically.

Maxima has one of the most extensive ranges of oil for motorcycles of any brand, and there should be a solution to suit whatever you ride. It even has products for moto-taxis, scooters, commuter bikes, and small-capacity motorcycles, as well as bespoke break-in oil for new engines. Off-roaders will benefit from its castor oil-enriched, ester-fortified two-stroke oil, while four-stroke riders will find a whole selection of options to choose from, including specialist V-twin products. Each product is usually available in several different viscosities and in a variety of sizes.

As a brand that focuses purely on power sports, and especially motorcycles, Maxima is a good value brand that deserves consideration. Whether you are a casual rider or a performance rider who pushes the bike to its absolute limits, you will find a suitable solution within the Maxima range, and it is readily available at outlets like Walmart and Amazon.

As the official motor oil sponsor of NASCAR, Mobil is a trusted brand known for producing high-quality synthetic oils. It offers a small but distinguished line of motorcycle oils designed for different types of bikes and riding conditions, including its Racing 4T, Super Moto, and V-Twin products. However, its motorcycle range is a little limited as compared to its extensive automobile oil product line.

The Mobil Super Moto line is optimized for scooters and motorcycles and is suitable for use in older engines, making it popular among classic bike enthusiasts. The Racing 4T and V-Twin products fall under the Mobil 1 range of full synthetic oils. The former is available in two viscosities, 10W-40 and 15W-50, and the latter is available only as a 15W-50 option. So, while Mobil motorcycle oils are high quality, meeting the standards set by all major petroleum authorities, the selection leaves a little to be desired.

Mobil is a recognizable brand, and its Mobil 1 Racing product is a great example of a high-performance, on-road, full synthetic oil. However, a limited motorcycle oil selection means it loses points in this ranking. With that said, Mobil products are easily available, both online and at service centers, and their prices are reasonable, with full synthetic oil costing a little over $10.00 per quart.

Shell Oil needs no introduction as one of the leading global fossil fuel brands, and its engine oil has been one of the top-selling products in living memory. With brand partnerships that include Ducati and Honda, its motorcycle oil is world-renowned both as a domestic product and in motorsports. Shell Advantec is the only oil used in-factory by BMW Motorrad and is the supplier of its after-sales oil products. Shell motorcycle oil is a prominent sponsor of MotoGP, and it promises better fuel economy and longer oil drain intervals when matched with the right bike.

Shell's Advance range is popular among motorcycle riders. It provides good protection, longevity, and performance and can be divided into four main categories. These are four-stroke engines, two-stroke engines, scooters, and high-performance oils. They are designed to increase engine power, prevent the build-up of dirt and dust particles within the engine, reduce vibration, and promote longer engine life. Shell motorcycle oils are available in several viscosities to suit all riding requirements and meet the rigid standards set by the API and JASO authorities.

Shell is an instantly recognizable brand that would make an obvious choice for anyone who has never researched motorcycle oils. Its reputation precedes it, and for good reason, as it is backed by big-name bike companies and sports teams, such as Ferrari. It is reasonably priced at around $15.00 per quart for its Advance synthetic-based product and is readily available both online and locally.

Motul had been operating in the oil industry long before the invention of the motor car, as it was established in 1853. It has since gone on to become one of the leading global brands for both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles and is a favorite among performance riders and track enthusiasts. Motul has a reputation for producing high-performance synthetic oils suitable for street and racing applications.

The Motul motorcycle oil range is typically smaller than its automobile selection, but it more than covers the essentials. For example, its off-road line is limited to a single product, namely its 800 Factory Line two-stroke oil, and it only has a couple of four-stroke oils and a single two-stroke option in its scooter range. The Motul Street Bike range is a little more varied and consists of full-synthetic ester oils as part of its Ester Core range. These are superior chemically synthesized oils that perform well across a broad temperature range. Additionally, there is the 7100 line of four-stroke oils in many viscosities. 

However, while the Motul range may not be the greatest in terms of quantity, it is high in quality, and those seeking a high-performance oil should certainly consider this brand. Motul makes competition-quality oils, which may seem expensive for day-to-day motorcycle riding. However, it's worth investing a few extra bucks every 3,000 miles or so to help your machine run smoothly. After all, a well-lubricated engine is a happy engine, and careful maintenance will save you money in the long run. As such, Motul ranks highly on this list.

Anyone who has ever raised a kickstand has surely heard of the Castrol company. Its storied history can be traced as far back as 1899 when the Englishman Charles Wakefield started a business that would soon revolutionize the automotive industry. By mixing castor oil with conventional engine oil, the company achieved the perfect solution that was highly effective at various temperatures. Castrol has been the oil of choice for several groundbreaking projects, from the first non-stop transatlantic flight to the Mars Curiosity Rover , and it is also a popular choice among motorcyclists.

Castrol offers a variety of motorcycle oils, including conventional mineral-based, synthetic blend, full synthetic, and race-optimized products. It is a world-renowned company with considerable heritage and several high-quality and affordable options across its extensive range. A standout product is Castrol Power1 oil, which features Castrol's Trizone Technology. This cares for three mechanical elements of your motorcycle, namely the gears, engine, and clutch mechanism.

Castrol ably combines value for money, quality, and availability with a glowing reputation for its products. Whether you ride a V-twin motorcycle, a dirt bike, or a Japanese sports bike, Castrol has a product that will optimize your motorcycle's performance and increase its longevity. Add to this a strong focus on research and development, and Castrol places at the top of this ranking, as it promises to continue to improve its already impressive product line well into the future.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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Castrol Edge 0W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 Quarts

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Liquid Volume 160 Fluid Ounces Package Information Bottle About this item 3X stronger against viscosity breakdown than leading full synthetic, based on Kurt Orbahn test in 5W-30 grade 10X better high temperature performance, as measured in Sequence IIIH engine test vs. API SP test limit 6X better wear protection, Protection for 10,000 miles between oil changes 1.4X better sludge protection, as measured in Sequence VH engine test vs. API SP test limit Meets ILSAC GF-6 to prevent low speed pre ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear protection Frequently bought together Similar items that may deliver to you quickly From the manufacturer Customer Reviews Price — $37.07$37.07 $28.97$28.97 PERFORMANCE 1.4X BETTER PROTECTION AGAINST SLUDGE 6X BETTER WEAR PROTECTION 10X BETTER HIGH TEMP PERFORMANCE SLUDGE PROTECTION ✓ ✓ ✓ SYNTHETIC BLEND ✓ SUPERIOR WEAR PROTECTION ✓ ✓ FULL SYNTHETIC ✓ ✓ ENGINE PERFORMANCE ✓ CASTROL POWER BRAND RANGE Product Description Castrol EDGE Strength for Maximum Performance. Engine oils need to be able to constantly respond to the ever-changing environments in your engine. Every second of the drive your engine oil needs to be able to react to the needs of different metal-to-metal contact points in your engine each with different demands, pressures and temperatures. Castrol EDGE provides the highest level of protection for critical engine parts helping your car to perform at its maximum. Castrol EDGE is an advanced full synthetic motor oil with a unique and proprietary formula that reduces volatility and provides superior protection for critical engine parts helping your vehicle operate efficiently at power. Product information Technical details. Viscosity ‎0W-20 Brand ‎Castrol Liquid Volume ‎160 Fluid Ounces Package Information ‎Bottle Vehicle Service Type ‎Car UPC ‎079191231241 Global Trade Identification Number ‎00079191231241 Manufacturer ‎Castrol Model ‎03124 Item Weight ‎9.21 pounds Product Dimensions ‎11.9 x 9.5 x 4.4 inches Country of Origin ‎USA Item model number ‎03124 Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‎No Manufacturer Part Number ‎03124 Additional Information ASIN B00JGQLZJ4 Customer Reviews 4.8 out of 5 stars Best Sellers Rank #560 in Automotive ( ) #14 in Date First Available April 4, 2014 Warranty & Support Amazon.com Return Policy: You can return many items you have purchased within 30 days following delivery of the item to you. Our Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee does not affect your legal right of withdrawal in any way. You can find out more about the exceptions and conditions . Fields with an asterisk * are required : : : : : Please select province : : to provide feedback. \n' + ' ' ); } function getThankYouDiv(thankMsg) { return ( ' \n' + ' ' ); } function getLoadingGifDiv() { return ' Compare with similar items Price -9% $28.97$28.97 Typical: $31.98 $96.21$96.21 $55.99$55.99 $38.99$38.99 -9% $23.96$23.96 List: $26.27 $27.48$27.48 Delivery Customer Ratings 7,762 586 586 586 4,583 364 Longevity Mileage Value for money Sold By compatible vehicles liquid volume viscosity Looking for specific info? Customer reviews. 2 star 0% Our goal is to make sure every review is trustworthy and useful. That's why we use both technology and human investigators to block fake reviews before customers ever see them.  Learn more We block Amazon accounts that violate our community guidelines. We also block sellers who buy reviews and take legal actions against parties who provide these reviews.  Learn how to report Customers say Customers like the value, quality, performance, noise and smoothness of the auto oil. They mention that it's a good product for a decent price, helps reduce cost of oil changes and is one of the best oils in the world. They say that it works great on their car and that it makes a significant improvement in the overall performance. They also appreciate the quiet engine and that the car idles smooth. AI-generated from the text of customer reviews Customers appreciate the value of the auto oil. They say it's a good product for a decent price, it'll help reduce the cost of oil changes, and it'd be worth the investment. "...I'm happy with the oil and it's priced very reasonably . I don't see a need for anything else at this time, so I'm sticking with it." Read more "I’m not gonna sit here and say anything crazy. It was a cheap price , and the oil is synthetic and I will use it for a strong 10,000 miles." Read more "Quality product at great price !" Read more " Great product . I have used Castrol oil in all my cars with a factory filter. Never had any issues." Read more Customers are satisfied with the quality of the auto oil. They mention that it's a high-quality oil, long-lasting, and reliable. Some say that it is one of the best oils in the world. "...It was a cheap price, and the oil is synthetic and I will use it for a strong 10,000 miles." Read more " Quality product at great price!" Read more " It delivered intact and not leaking. It's oil. It's now in my car engine." Read more "...seeing was believing it looked much cleaner , the filter even looked clean,but when Amazon sells 3 identical to OEM 4 the price of 1 it's 1 stop..." Read more Customers are satisfied with the performance of the auto oil. They mention that it is functional, works well, and does the job. Some say that it has made a significant improvement in the overall performance of their vehicle. "...My Acura TL has 289,000 miles on the engine and still runs great and doesn't smoke at all ...." Read more "...I have used Castrol oil in all my cars with a factory filter. Never had any issues ." Read more "This oil works great in my 2018 Toyota Tacoma and 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan." Read more "... Runs nice and smooth, keeps the car cool and helps maintain its running potential." Read more Customers like the noise level of the oil. They say that it keeps their car quiet and there's never any weird noises coming from the engine. They also say that the car idles smooth and quiet, and that it quieted down valve ticks. "...The engine runs quietly and efficiently , and I have seen an improvement in fuel economy...." Read more "...This synthetic Edge oil is great... the engine is a bit quieter and the oil after 5K miles comes out of the engine like oil instead of water..." Read more "...the difference, with castrol my car starts faster, ride is smoother, quieter , it even sounds better after 3000 rpms...." Read more "...sale all are good products what I like about Castrol is the car idles smooth and quiet and the old oil looks a lot cleaner than the Mobil 1 which is..." Read more Customers are satisfied with the smoothness of the auto oil. They mention that the engine runs smooth, the bottle pours very smooth, and it provides the lubrication required for new and older engines. "...Runs nice and smooth , keeps the car cool and helps maintain its running potential." Read more "...The oil provides excellent lubrication, and I can feel a smoother ride when driving ...." Read more "...to do my own oil changes to save money, but I noticed how much smoother and less strained my car is when it accelerates vs the cheap regular oil..." Read more "...One thing that stood out to me was that the engine started running much smoother at idle ...." Read more Customers find the auto oil filter easy to use. They mention it's a quick and easy DIY at home, easy to install, and easy to order. Customers also say the filter is easy to pour into a container and that it makes their car start much easier. "Oil change is a must & this oil is what my car needs. Easy to use . Will continue to buy it" Read more "...on top of engine and using an oil extraction pump, it’s a quick and easy DIY at home . And you know it’s done right." Read more "... easy to pour bottle and easy to refill with old oil to throw out...." Read more "I only use this oil in my Mazda 6. It's easy to order through here and for my filter also because brick and mortar auto part stores don't always..." Read more Customers like the warmth of the auto oil. They mention that it keeps their car cool, helps with cold starts in the winter, and is good mainly for heat reduction. They also say that the oil warms up pretty quickly and that it starts up great. "...Runs nice and smooth, keeps the car cool and helps maintain its running potential." Read more "...I notice the engine is much more responsive and this oil warms up pretty quickly ...." Read more "good oil, have used Castrol oil for a long time, this oil is very good in winter or summer" Read more "...It helps with cold starts in the winter , and supposed the 20w is plenty enough to lubricate while cutting down on pumping effort and helping with..." Read more Customers are mixed about the leakage of the auto oil. Some mention that it delivered intact and not leaking, while others say that the containers had leaked in the box and the bottle of oil was empty by the time it arrived to them on the porch. "It delivered intact and not leaking . It's oil. It's now in my car engine." Read more "...Only problem is one of the 5 qt. containers had leaked in the box . It had soaked the paper and come through the bottom of the box...." Read more "...oil enhances your car it's got good value on money there's no leakage the performance the seal and the fit are perfect and your car will last longer" Read more "...But I do know that the two containers sent leaked oil prior to arrival. Leakage was immediately obvious when the box appeared on my door step...." Read more Reviews with images Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews Top reviews from the United States There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later.. Top reviews from other countries Amazon Newsletter About Amazon Accessibility Sustainability Press Center Investor Relations Amazon Devices Amazon Science Sell on Amazon Sell apps on Amazon Supply to Amazon Protect & Build Your Brand Become an Affiliate Become a Delivery Driver Start a Package Delivery Business Advertise Your Products Self-Publish with Us Become an Amazon Hub Partner › See More Ways to Make Money Amazon Visa Amazon Store Card Amazon Secured Card Amazon Business Card Shop with Points Credit Card Marketplace Reload Your Balance Amazon Currency Converter Your Account Your Orders Shipping Rates & Policies Amazon Prime Returns & Replacements Manage Your Content and Devices Recalls and Product Safety Alerts Conditions of Use Privacy Notice Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure Your Ads Privacy Choices Automotive | Motormouth: How often do I really need an oil… Share this:. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Top Workplaces Real Estate Transportation Automotive | Motormouth: How often do I really need an oil change? D.E., Naperville, Illinois A: Many dealer service departments have “suggested” maintenance schedules that are not printed in the owner’s manual. Of course, they are a business that, like others, needs to improve the bottom line. If it isn’t in the owner’s manual, it is not mandatory. That said, the price for a quart of fluid at the service department can approach $100. As for labor, the service department charges by the labor guide and beating the book helps that bottom line. You may politely decline suggested services. Q: I have a 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid with 60,000 miles on the odometer; two questions. First, how long can I expect the original electric motor battery to last before I may have to service or replace it? Second, my wife and I plan a cross-country trip this summer. What type of servicing and preventive maintenance would you suggest overall prior to starting this journey? F.W., Suffolk, Virginia A: You can reasonably expect the hybrid battery to last 8 to 10 years. You needn’t do anything special prior to your trip. Q: I have XM satellite radio in two of my cars. But my 2007 BMW Z4 radio system does not have the capability to be able to listen to XM. Using my iPhone and the XM app, how do I link it to the Z4 radio for listening capabilities? J.S., Mount Holly, New Jersey A: You should be able to pair your phone to the car using Bluetooth. But you may have to go through some extra steps in your car’s setup menu. You may need to ask the folks at a BMW dealership or an electronics store about the details. Q: I own a 2017 Kia Sorento, which has been serviced by my regular mechanic since I bought it new. All oil changes and routine repairs have been done by this mechanic, who my family has used for several years. Recently the mechanic found oil seepage in the timing chain cover and verified a leak with a dye treatment. This expensive repair is under warranty, so I took the car to the dealer where I bought it, and the service department there used the same dye treatment but could not find a leak. The dealer won’t fix a leak it says it can’t find. Who should I believe, my trusted mechanic or the dealer? M.D., Schererville, Indiana A: Trust your regular mechanic, but don’t hate on your dealer. Your mechanic may have cleaned the area and the leak may take more time to reappear. Sometimes seeping is slow. More in Automotive Transportation | Street closures near Grant Park begin Monday for NASCAR Chicago Street Race Automotive | Real-world mileage standard for new vehicles rising to 38 mpg in 2031 under new Biden administration rule Automotive | Kia recalls nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs due to fire risk Transportation | From decay to dazzling, Ford restores grandeur to Detroit train station that once symbolized decline Trending nationally. NYC to see dangerous heat wave this week: How hot will it get? How long will it last? Puerto Rican musician Don Omar battling cancer at Orlando hospital Why is the NFL being sued over its ‘Sunday Ticket’ package? How Disneyland passholders can get their share of $9.5 million Magic Key settlement John Oliver Bear Cake craze rakes in bonanza for food pantry 8 Best Oil Stop Leak Additives of 2023 Updated: March 21, 2024 Mechanic Base is supported by its audience. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Best Overall Lucas Oil 10278 High performance, easy to use, but still an affordable option. Best Performance BlueDevil Stop Leak A permanent option and safe to use for both gasoline and diesel engines. Best Budget STP High Mileage Budget-friendly stop oil leak additive for high mileage and older engines. Oil leaks are an inevitable problem associated with car engines. You will most likely face it sometime, no matter how much you maintain your vehicle. Moreover, oil leaks are a widespread issue that most cars suffer from, more or less.  Oil leakages are a nuisance and can be a time-consuming thing to repair once it happens. The perfect way to handle this issue if you have an older car is to ensure that it does not happen. You can take the help of oil additives to stop leakages from occurring in your vehicle. In your search for the best oil stop leak additives, this article would immensely help you. The guide contains reviews about the 8 best oil stop leak additives you could buy for your car. Read the guide to find out more about these additives and how they could help you prevent oil leakage problems. Top 8 Best Engine Oil Stop Leak Additives 1. Lucas Oil 10278  – Best Oil Stop Leak Additive Overall Lucas is a well-known global brand and is known for its versatility and performance. The Lucas Oil Engine Oil helps in preventing corrosion and is compatible with all types of vehicles. You can use the oil additive with petroleum, semi-synthetic and synthetic oils. The oil additive can rejuvenate all the seals without damaging or corroding the engine. With the Lucas engine oil additive, the oil pressure is raised, which also reduces engine noise . Your engine will operate very quietly, which is the demand of most customers. The 32-ounce unit will sustain for a long time, and you can get the best out of this. Moreover, this is a very versatile product, so it does more than just stopping oil leakages. It enhances your engine’s performance, and you will see a significant change after adding the oil additive. If you are in search of an oil additive that does not cost much but performs well, then the Lucas Oil Engine Oil is your best choice. Easy application Prevents damage and corrosion Reduces engine noise Affordable option Leaks may not stop completely 2. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak  – Best Premium Pick The BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is the premium pick in this list due to its high-price and amazing performance results that it delivers. If there are no budget issues and want to choose one of the best oil stop leak additives that are high-performing, then BlueDevil is the brand you can choose. The BlueDevil additive is a permanent solution to oil leakage issues. The application of the additive is very easy, and it is also safe for users. This additive can work well in both gasoline and diesel engines, which makes it highly versatile. There will be no compromise with the vehicle’s safety and engine health with this additive. BlueDevil has been operating in this field for years and brings new and innovative products to its customers. The formula used in this product is highly efficient and does not harm the engine in any manner. Despite being the most high-priced product on this list, the additive is budget-friendly. There will also not be any clogging once you use the additive for your engine leaks. The engine is not harmed Permanent results 3. STP High Mileage Oil Treatment  – Best Budget Pick The STP HIGH Mileage oil treatment is one of the most budget-friendly options here. Despite the low price, the performance is exceptional and is a highly recommended product. This product is great if you have minor leaks. This additive works well in older engines where there are minor oil stains and leaks. With the STP, you can also stop tiny oil leakages into car cylinders from the piston rings . This, in turn, prevents smoking and manages the performance of the engine. If the instructions to use the additive are followed properly, you will find it very efficient. The right amount of oil needs to be added for it to work properly. STP is the perfect additive that you can use for high mileage motors. However, it can be hard to use the additive for reconditioning seals in newer cars or very big leakages. In case you are on a very tight budget, this additive can help prevent leakages for a short time before you go for proper maintenance. Works great for engines with high mileage Stops smoking in older cars Budget-friendly Wrong application can dilute the oil Not as strong in reconditioning seals as its competitors 4. Bar’s Leaks Oil Stop Leak Additive One of the most efficient products in this list is the Bar’s Leaks oil stop leak additive. This additive is used for those seals that are difficult to repair. The additive application is very easy, and you do not have to be professional to use it. This is a very easy solution to all your oil leakage problems. Not only will the rear main seal be repaired, but the additive will also take care of any other leakages. The best thing about this additive is its affordability. Users do not have to worry about their budget in looking for a practical option to seal their leakages. The additive can be used with all types of oil, ranging from high mileage to synthetic to conventional. Bar’s Leaks is a very user-friendly additive with a short activation time. This means once you add the oil stop leak additive to the oil, the performance can be determined within a matter of few hours. Additionally, the additive does not contain any harmful chemicals that might wear down or damage the engine in the long-run. Problematic seals can be sealed easily Short activation time Dry seals are rejuvenated May not perform well in older engines 5. ATP Automotive Re-Seal Stops Leaks Another great option in the best oil stop leaks additives category is the ATP automotive re-seal stops leaks. ATP is also a renowned company for oil stop leak additives and is mostly recommended due to its amazing performance. The additive performs exactly what it is formulated for, preventing corrosion, leakages, and rust. The additive’s activation time is very fast, and you can see the leakages stop in a few hours of applying this product. All the seals that were open earlier will get re-sealed without any issues. Engines that are equipped with rubber seals and gaskets will be rejuvenated by applying this additive. The additive also helps rejuvenate hydraulic systems, transmission, and power steering. With a unit of 6-quarts, the additive has high longevity since it is required in small amounts. You can use the additive with power steering fluids , gear oil, conventional and synthetic oils. Due to the absence of Petroleum Distillates, the additive does not wear down the seals. Rubber seals are revitalized easily Engine-friendly Can work with most types of engine oils Blue smoke may be produced in some scenarios 6. NO LEAK Engine Oil Stop Leak NO LEAK is an oil stop leak additive that is compatible with all vehicles and engine types. The efficiency of the product is what attracts the customers. This engine oil stop leak helps in softening, conditioning, and swelling the rubber seals present in the engine. The formula of the additive is very versatile and safe. No Leak comes under the Gold Eagle company known for its premium quality, high-performing products. The preservative bottle design is also not innovative and modern that appeals to the crowd. Due to the clear bottle, you can see the amount of additive present in the bottle. The No Leak additive works quickly and efficiently without damaging your engine in any way. You do not have to use a large quantity of the additive for it to work properly. A small amount is enough to seal the leakages and ensure that the engine runs smoothly. Engine smoke is stopped with the additive Compatible with several engine oils It helps to recondition hard seals Do not work effectively with leaky head gaskets 7. Liqui Moly Motor Oil Saver The Liqui Moly motor oil saver is a product that you can blindly use for internal leaks. If there are any bad seals present inside the motor lead, it could cause high smoke emission. This can be stopped with the Liqui Moly oil saver. Mostly in such scenarios, you might see blue smoke emit from your car’s exhaust. The motor oil saver is used for many high-end vehicles and helps accentuate their engines’ performance efficiently. Using this oil saver, you can keep the inside of any vehicle very healthy. However, some people may not like the product since it does not seal external leakages. Even with this slight drawback, this product is highly recommended due to its high ability to tackle inside issues. In case you are losing or burning oil very frequently, this oil saver can save you from making a costly trip to your mechanic. Slows or stops consumption of engine oil Car runs much cleaner when the additive is used High-quality Compatibility problems External leaks may not stop with this product 8. Permatex Spray Sealant Most of the oil stop leak additives in this list come in fluid form and seal large leakages. However, the Permatex Spray Sealant is an innovative product that helps seal your vehicle’s small exterior leakages. Since this is a spray, you can put a coating of the sealant over the leaking area, and the barrier is created. The Permatex not a long-term solution, but it is great for emergency satiations. If you are mid-way and face small external leakages, then this product will save you from further oil waste until you reach any mechanic. This emergency fix is very beneficial for people who travel long roads using their vehicles. The most amazing feature of this spray sealant is that it can be used on different surfaces. You can use this sealant when you have a long way to go before you find a mechanic and need an emergency solution to the leakage to not extensive damage. Ensure that the vehicle surface is cleaned properly before you apply the coating so that it sticks nicely. Perfect for emergencies Can work on several surfaces Not a long-term solution May not work sometimes Oil Stop Leak Additives – Buyer’s Guide Oil stop leak additives are a good addition to your car maintenance since they can prevent sudden oil leakages. You will not have to go through the trouble of taking your vehicle to the mechanic while you are planning to go somewhere urgent. It would save a lot of time, and with a good oil stop leak additive, you would not have to face frequent oil leakages. Though most of the oil stop leak additives may work properly, there are some considerations that you need to look for. Below mentioned are essential factors that should be considered when buying the best oil stop leak additives. Compatibility The primary thing that has to be determined when choosing an oil stop leak additive is where they are compatible with the car you are using. Not all additives work well with all vehicle types . There is some formula that may not work at all with diesel engines, while there are some that are not compatible with synthetic oils. You will also find some additives that are compatible with all types of vehicles and motor oils. When choosing the additive, the package itself will hold information about which vehicle or oil you can use the additive with. The guide contains a combination of specific and all-compatible additives. The amount of additive you will be using for your vehicle will determine whether the product you have bought is cost-efficient. You need to know how much additive you need to use and the amount of time it will last. If you need to use many additives with your engine oil at frequent periods, it is not an efficient solution. Even if the price of the additive is low, it will not be cost-effective for you. A good additive is required in small amounts and can revitalize the seals for a long period. This would save a lot of money, and these additives are the ones that can be called efficient. Every additive has a different activation period, and you need to ensure that they mix well with the engine oil. Once you add the required amount of additive to the engine oil, it will take a few hours to activate. You can only fix the leaks successfully if you give adequate time to the oil stop leak additive to mix with the engine oil and get activated. However, the specified amount may not always be enough to fully activate the additive. Sometimes you need to let the solution run for about 100 miles or more to activate to its extent. Without optimum activation, the additive will not work the way it is supposed to, and the leaks will not be fixed properly. Petroleum Distillates A very well-known chemical, Petroleum Distillates, is used for gasket revitalization. They can be quite costly and have a bad effect on your engines. When choosing any oil stop leak additive, you need to check if it contains Petroleum Distillates. It is better to avoid additives with this chemical since it can harm the engine system in the long run. Make sure to check for any other harmful chemicals that may have an adverse effect on the car’s engine. Always go for formulas that have no long-term effects and would not wear out your engine. The wrong chemical would do more harm than good for your engine. The price of the additive is a major concern for many people. Additives come in different price ranges, and the variations are due to the brand and the formula of the additives. Even though the price is an important component, you need to see if the additive you are going for would be good for your vehicle. All products that fall in the lower price range are not bad, while not all expensive products will be good. It all boils down to the efficiency of the additives that you are looking at. In the guide, you will find the best oil stop leak additives belonging to different price ranges, helping you choose. Efficient oil stop leak additives are necessary since they help prevent oil leaks and keep your engine rejuvenated for the long-term. With the right additive and proper application, you do not have to worry about your engine malfunctioning frequently and facing leakages. Along with using additives, you also need to keep your oil clean so that the engine does not wear down. Only additives alone would not be able to keep your oil from leaking if you do not pay attention to maintenance at all. Like regularly used cars, unused cars also face the same issue, maybe at a greater magnitude. That is why you need to always have scheduled maintenance for your cars and make sure that you change oil at proper intervals. With proper care and using the best oil stop leak additives, your vehicle will run smoothly without any issues. Learn about the 8 best oil stop leak additives mentioned in the guide and choose the one suitable for your vehicle! Do Oil Stop Leak additives work? Yes, Oil Stop Leak Additives work more or less. If you have extreme oil leaks, they will not work, but in most cases of small to medium engine oil leaks, they will work just fine. Can Oil Stop Leak damage my engine? Yes, it can happen that important parts in your car engine will get clogged using a stop oil leak additive. This is why we recommend repairing the problem instead in most situations. However, this depends on what additive you are using also. What is the best engine oil stop leak additive? If you consider the price versus efficiency, we strongly recommend getting the Lucas Oil 10278 Engine Oil Stop Leak. It is proved to work really well with few cases of damaging engines. Does Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak work? Yes, Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak work very well every time we have tried it. It works well for small and medium-sized oil leaks, but you should not expect it to repair substantial oil leaks. Categories: Maintenance , Reviews Related Posts Latest Posts The Best & Worst Years Of Ford Explorer Best & Worst Years Of Toyota Corolla Best & Worst Years of Toyota RAV4 When Should Your Child Switch To A Forward-Facing Car Seat? 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