Last Updated on 15 July 2025 by Maelle
Car engine oils can be confusing. There are literally “n” number of questions about engine oils. What type of engine oil is best for my car? Can I switch from the manufacturer’s recommended engine oil to another? What are the different grades of car engine oil? Why is my car’s engine oil level always low? The list is endless! To help you stay informed and make the right choice, tout-reparer.fr offers its guide: How to change the engine oil in a diesel or gasoline car?
What are the types of engine oils? When choosing engine oil for your car, you need to understand the two main categories of engine oil: mineral oils and synthetic oils. Mineral engine oil: Mineral oils are made from petroleum products and are preferred for older vehicle models. Mineral oil has low oxidation stability, requiring frequent changes. Mineral oil is cheaper than its counterparts. It is not the best quality.
Synthetic Motor Oil: Made by blending several synthetic components, these oils are suitable for high-performance vehicles. The oil change period is longer with synthetic oils, for both diesel and gasoline engines. Synthetic motor oil offers the best protection for Indian driving conditions.
Semi-synthetic motor oil: Semi-synthetic oils give you the best of both worlds. The quality of synthetic oils and the affordable price of mineral oils. Performance and protection vary depending on the car make and model.What are the different grades of motor oil?Engine oils in India and around the world are categorized into grades based on their performance, quality, heating point, and viscosity.
- 0W40: This oil is considered the most superior in the Indian market. Its performance is effective in both hot and cold climates with minimal sludge. It is ideal for modern gasoline and diesel vehicles.
- 5W40: This oil is considered good for diesel vehicles. It can perform as well as 0W40, but not in cold weather. 5W30 or 10W30: This oil is ideal for modern gasoline engines. It is cost-effective and has a low viscosity that is well-suited to modern gasoline engines and offers good fuel efficiency.
- 10W40: Available in mineral and semi-synthetic variants, it is suitable for the Indian climate. It is a cost-effective option with efficient performance. 15W40 or 20W50: This is generally recommended for older engines and is much thicker than its counterparts.
When should you change your engine oil?
A car’s engine varies from one brand to another. In some cases, driving conditions also play an important role in deciding when to change your engine oil. Driving conditions in India and road conditions must be taken into account. It’s safe to say that our driving conditions are very different from those in countries like the United States or some European countries. Traffic, stop-and-go driving, potholes, etc., put significant stress on the engine.
- Most engine oil experts recommend changing your car’s oil between 7,500 km and 10,000 km, which is the right time. If you use a mineral-based lubricant, you should stick to the 5,000 km to 5,500 km limit.
- What is the best engine oil for high mileage or the best fuel efficiency?
- Many people don’t believe in the concept of high-mileage engine oil and simply consider it a marketing fad. A high-mileage synthetic motor oil generally contains certain additives and synthetic motor oil that ensure engine longevity.
- A high-mileage engine oil contains certain detergents that clean the dirt and sludge that builds up inside the engine due to its long service life. It is generally recommended to switch to a high-mileage engine oil after 75,000 kilometers. Before that, your oil may not be more efficient than your usual oil.
- Should you mix mineral and synthetic motor oils?
The answer to this question is yes.
It won’t harm your engine in the short term, and since the oil is a miscible component, it won’t leave any residue. The only negative side effect of mixing the two oils is that you may not get the benefits of synthetic oil when you mix it with conventional oil. However, if you’re running low on oil and only have conventional motor oil on hand, you should always top it up. A little oil is better than none at all, right?
Why is my engine oil turning black?
The main function of engine oil is to reduce friction between engine parts by acting as a lubricating agent. Over time, as it does its job, engine oil loses its lubricating power and becomes dark in color.
This color change can be due to various reasons: heat, metal particles, the combustion process, and even the cleaning properties of the engine oil can affect its color. Most modern engine oils are amber, and when checking the color by dipping the stick, you must follow this rule.
How to Dispose of Used Engine Oil?
Have you ever wondered what happens to your used engine oil after filling your car’s engine with a new batch of engine oil?
The used engine oil industry is a multi-cultural business that harms the environment and human health. Knowledge about recycling used engine oil is still very limited in our country. The least you can do with used engine oil is collect it and take it to a local garage for disposal. The entire tout-reparer.fr team remains at your disposal in the comments section of the blog!
