Save Gas by Using the Correct Oil

A lot of folks who are looking to save on gas ask me which is the best oil to use in their car. The answer may seem obvious -- whichever is recommended by the car's manufacturer -- and that's true... until the car gets on in years. And, let's face it, in tougher economic times people tend to keep their cars longer and/or buy used cars. You should understand what those funny numbers for rating motor oils mean in order to make an informed decision. Trust me, I've heard mechanics with years of experience get this wrong, so here it is, plain and simple:

What we use in modern cars is called multi-viscosity oil, and that's why you see two numbers in the rating, such as 5 W-30, 10 W-30, and 20 W-50 (those are the most commonly seen types, if you haven't noticed).

The first number indicates how pourable the oil will be as it gets colder. Just like maple syrup, motor oil gets thicker and thicker as it gets colder to the point where it gets too thick to circulate in the engine. This first number is most important in colder climates.

The second number indicates how resistant to thinning out the oil is as temperatures rise. Again, as with maple syrup, the hotter the oil gets the thinner it gets, eventually reaching the point where it is too thin to protect your engine. This makes the second number most important in hotter climates.

So, if you're driving a car with a tired old engine, you've hopefully heard that you should use a heavier oil such as 10 W-40 or even 20 W-50 if you're in a hot climate. But, if you were to use 20 W-50 in a new engine and drove around Canada in the winter, you will most likely need a new engine very soon. Most new cars in the United States are sold with 5 W-30, which provides the best all-around protection. But, where ever you are, the better maintained the vehicle is (read regular and frequent oil changes!), the longer the original type of oil can be used, and the more you'll save on gas.

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