Engine oil comes in a range of different grades. When you purchase oil for your car, it is often labeled with seemingly random characters that you may not understand. In this article, York Dodge will go over different oil grades and what they mean:
Monograde Oils
Monograde oils are typically utilized over a narrow temperature range. They’re usually developed for older cars. In certain climates, monograde oil needs to be changed twice a year. This is done by adding an additional grade of winter or summer monograde oil, which can also come with extra additives if required.
Multigrade Oils
Multi-grade oils are more advanced than mono-grade oils (5W20, 5W50). They have components that work at different temperatures. These newer oils mean that the engine doesn’t need to work as hard, which means better fuel saving. Multi-grade oils are considered the benchmark for all modern passenger car motor oils. They contain more chemical compounds than mono-grades and require no added viscosity modifiers.
Why Should We Consider Multi-Grade Oil?
- Multi-grades are more expensive than mono grades, but running costs will be lower, so in the long run, they save you money.
- Multi grade has a higher viscosity at lower temperatures, so it is more effective when it’s cold, but thickness decreases as temperature rises.
- Multi-grade oils are less likely to produce harmful emissions that lead to environmental problems.
When buying engine oil for your car, whether you should go with a multi or monograde is determined by the kind of driving conditions, how many miles you drive, and if you often go on long journeys or not.
Multi-Grade Oil Ratings
Multi-grade oils have two separate ratings that you must consider before purchasing:
- The American Petroleum Institute (API) rating for “winter.”
- International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) rating for “summer.”
The API rating of oil tells you its performance at colder temperatures. The lower the API designation number is, the better the oil resists viscosity loss as temperature decreases.
The ILSAC rating of oil tells you its performance at warmer temperatures. The higher the ILSAC designation letter is, the better the oil resists viscosity loss as temperature increases.
There are benefits of both types of oil grades for your car, which depend on where you live and what kind of car you drive. Oil grades for your car are designed in two ways; the first is to suit certain regions, and the second is to suit certain conditions. Before you go out and buy any engine oil, be sure you know what type of oil your hatchback, sedan, or SUV requires. It’s critical to know what goes into your vehicle.
York Dodge serving Prescott, AZ, is here to help you if you’re still confused about what engine oil is right for your car. Our staff is trained to ensure your car performs at its best. You can schedule your service with us now!
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