How do I choose the right motor oil for my car?

Question

There are so many confusing options with motor oil how do you choose? I live near Phoenix, AZ and I have an 1993 Toyota Tercel with 130k miles on it. I have been using 5W30 oil because that's what someone who supposedly knows something about cars suggested I use. First of all, why 5W30? Do I want a synthetic oil? And what about the brands; they are all different prices but what is the difference between them? Is it worth it to buy a more expensive brand?

Answer 1

As the vehicles age and your location, I would use 10W30 oil. Its thicker and will help seal the engine better. 5W30 is a thinner oil and in a climate like Arizona, you would want a thicker weight oil, because when oil heats it thins out. Using a thicker weight oil will help lubricate better then a thinner weight oil in this cliamate.

As for synthetic, It will be of no bennifet to you with a car of that age. Synthetic oil should be used from the point of right after the engine has been broken into. Anything else, its a lost cause, unless you have just rebuilt the engine and are switching at that point. Synthetic oil lubricates better because all of the particles are uniform to eachother. And engine has a "memory" (sensors telling the computer). It gets used to running a certin way and if something is changed, even for the better, the engine will want to run in the way its learned to. Any vehiche that has not used synthetic oil since its been broken into, its not worth switching. I'm in the same boat as you with the synthetic oil, at this stage in the game (i bought my truck with 181 000km on it) and its not worth putting synthetic oil in. Also, if you maintain your engine, Synthetic oil is not needed. My boss (owner of a garage) never runs synthetic oil in any of his vehicles, even his nice ones. I have many cliants who have very nice vehicles, and unless specified on the oil cap, regular oil is what is recomened, and what the vehicle has been designed to run. I have cliants with Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Corvette's, Porsche, and even some classic mussel cars (1974 Oldsmobile Cutlas, 1978 Chevrolet Nova pro stock, 1972 Chevelle SS [a true SS], 1973 Buick Wildcat, and so on) and they all just run the regular non synthetic blends. Unless the cap specifies what to use, regular oil is good enough, and unless the cap specifies what weight of oil to use, 5W30 is good in cold climates, and 10W30 is good in warm climates.

Aso for brands. Most brands are close to the same. They all have their own little blends that they use to make themselves different from other brands. Some wont have a good lubricating properties, but they will last longer before breaking down. Other will lubricate good, but they will break down faster. There is always going to be a trade off. You can't have the best of all worlds. I would recomend using Quaker State (regular blend), I use that in my truck and it works fine), or a brand name, eventhough the Wal-Mart brand may just be rebottled brand name, The warranty a brand name will give you is much better. Its not much more either.

Also, common misconseption, Synthetic Oil does not last longer then regular oil. It breaks down just the same. Oil changes should still be preformed every 3000mi/5000km or 3 months, what ever comes first. You hear all the stories about it lasting so much longer. It doesn't, if you keep an engine topped off with synthetic oil and an engine topped off with regular oil and keep them maintained at a constant level, and let them run till the engines siezed, they would die very close at the same.

Answer 2

5w-30 is what's recommended for your vehicle, although in the hot climate you are in, 10w-30 would be acceptable. I recommend not changing to a synthetic oil because it suspends particles better than regular oil, therefore bringing them from spaces they are sitting in and dragging them through the engine. Also, there have been no independent field tests to show that there is any significant difference in any oil brand and type, and I do not believe that the cost difference can be justified. The things to look for after the proper viscosity (5w-30), if the American Petroleum Institue starburst. This symbol will be very noticeable on the front or back. Also look for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), donut, which will certify the oil. Make sure that around the top of the donut the symbols SM are at the end. This is the latest classification of oil. Also make sure that there is writing stating that the oil meets ILSAC standard GF-4, which is the latest standard. As long as the viscosity is correct, the SAE donut, ILSAC standard and API starburst are present, and the donut has SM and the GF-4 standard is present, then the brand does not matter and you can be confident in using any brand available.

Answer 3

5w-30 is a good all around oil and you can't go wrong with it. the designation means it is a multi viscosity oil. that basically means that it gets thinner when it's cold and as it heats up it thickens. in this case it flows like a 5 weight oil in the cold, this is the 5w portion of the designation, and the 30 means that it thickens to a 30 weight oil when the engine is at operating temp. i'm sure you can figure out what viscosities a 10w-30 will do...

now 5w-30 is an excellent and fuel efficient oil. but if you start to see oil leaks, you may wanna switch to a 10w-30 beacuse it's a little thicker and as car engines wear, seals get old and don't seal as well, and toyota engines are prone to.

unless you're driving a sports car or really raggin that tercel out you don't need the added expense of synthetic, it would be a waste of money for you. just get a good name brand 5w-30 conventional oil, whatever is a brand name and on sale when you're buyin oil, and make sure to change your oil and filter ever 5000 miles. i personally use synthetics and go 8000 miles between changes but that's cuz i've got a lead foot and i drive hard and i don't like changing oil. this website will give you more info about oils....


http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.htm

Answer 4

5w30 is good for a import since its a lighter oil so you are good there, being thats its a trecel I don't think you need synthetic but if you want to you can do a synthetic blend. Being a oil change tech for awhile brand doesnt really matter, just price and availability just stay clear of Coastal brand oil since its used oil. I personally would go with Mobil 1 regular or synthetic blend

Answer 5

Most mordern cars should run semi to fully synthetic oil thats where the prices are different, if you live in a warm climate 5w30 or 10w40 semi synthetic, but since it has had alot of miles maybe 10w30 be better, i would explain what the W means and SAE but sorry i dont really have the time at mo, and some one else will.

Answer 6

Just use any brand name oil and change it on a regular basis and you'll be fine. I would not use synthetic oil in a car that old only because it's expensive and your car is in A.Z. If you were in a colder place I would use it. Don't worry just change it every 3 or 4 thousand miles and if it's starts burning some oil in the summer heat try 5 w 40 and see if that helps.

Answer 7

this is what toyota reccomends


Fluid Type Specifications
Notes

API Grade: SG multigrade or better and recommended viscosity SAE.

Use the chart below to determine SAE viscosity by temperature range anticipated before next oil change:



Temperature Range Viscosity

Above 0°F 10W-30

Below 50°F 5W-30










© 2007 ALLDATA LLC. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use

Answer 8

On a car that old with that many miles, going synthetic could prove a mistake, as the oil will have an easier time getting past your rings and so forth, to find the right oil weight consult your manual, a chiltons book, or a toyota dealer service dept.

Answer 9

Because of the higher mileage on your car and that you live in Phoenix where it does not get very cold. I would recommend any good brand of 10w 30. As a car gets miles on it your main berings wear and the clearance increases. If you use a thinner oil your pressure will be lower, especially at idle and in hot climates.

Answer 10

Use the best motor oil listed on the website, www.toyota.com, look up your car and check it out.

Also, a synthetic oil may have more viscosity and last longer - 5,000 miles instead of 3,000 miles. I had that put in on my last oil change by a mechanic who usually services BMWs.