In brief
Every short tip on the site in one list: choosing, changing and consuming oil, additives and maintenance.
Choosing oil
23 articles- How to correctly choose automotive oil? When choosing engine oil, you must always follow the recommendations written in the car's manual.
- Which car oil is better? A short answer to the eternal question: the best oil for an engine is the one its manufacturer has approved, so follow the owner’s manual recommendations.
- What Criteria Should You Use to Choose The oil that suits your engine is the one approved for use by the car's manufacturer!
- What to take into account when choosing engine oil? When choosing engine oil, always follow the requirements in the car’s service book: the best oil is the one approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
- What Criteria Should You Use to Choose Automotive Oil? A short answer on choosing oil: follow the service book, because the best engine oil is the one approved by the car’s manufacturer.
- What to take into account when choosing oil? Always, in every case, stick to the requirements printed in the car's manual. The right engine oil is the one recommended by the car's manufacturer!
- What Parameters Should You Use to Choose an Engine Oil? The main rule for choosing engine oil in one paragraph: follow the requirements in the car’s manual and use the oil approved by the engine’s designers.
- What Criteria Should You Use to Choose Engine Oil? The main criterion for choosing engine oil in brief: your engine needs an oil approved by the carmaker, and its requirements are found in the owner’s manual.
- Choosing the right oil The main rule for choosing engine oil: the right oil is one approved by the people who designed the car, so follow the requirements in the owner’s manual.
- How to correctly choose engine oil? A short tip: the only engine oil suitable for your engine is the one its manufacturer recommends, so start your choice with the car’s owner’s manual.
- Choosing oil: the manufacturer's approval A short rule for choosing engine oil: the suitable one is approved by the carmaker, so follow the recommendations printed in the car’s service book.
- Which oil is better? The best oil is the one recommended for use by your engine's manufacturer!
- Which car engine oil is better? The best oil for a car is not a particular brand but the one approved by its manufacturer, so the owner’s manual requirements must always be followed.
- What to take into account when choosing car oil? The main rule when choosing car oil is to follow the recommendations in the owner’s manual, because the best oil is the one the carmaker has approved.
- In Brief: Does Oil Add Horsepower? No engine oil will add power or economy, so use the oil that matches the approvals or classes recommended by the engine manufacturer.
- In Brief: More Expensive Doesn't Mean Better... An expensive modern engine oil can finish off an old engine for good if the car manufacturer never intended that oil for this particular engine.
- Choosing oil: by parameters and approvals How not to get lost in a huge range of oils: choose the one that meets the owner’s manual on quality classes, viscosity and the carmaker’s approvals.
- How to choose the right automotive oil? Carmakers, as a rule, state their requirements for engine oils in the owner's manual.
- How to correctly choose automotive oil? A short tip on choosing engine oil: go by the car manufacturer’s approval, viscosity and quality classes given in the owner’s manual.
- How to choose the right automotive oil? Out of the wide range of engine oils, buy the one that matches your car’s manual: the manufacturer’s approval, the viscosity grade and the quality classes.
- Which engine oil is preferable? Synthetic oil definitely has more stable properties than mineral or semi-synthetic oil.
- Which oil should you choose? A correctly chosen engine oil must be genuine and match your engine in quality classes, viscosity and the approvals the manufacturer lists in the manual.
- Which oil is more effective? Synthetic oil has more stable working properties than, say, mineral or semi-synthetic oil.
Viscosity (SAE)
1 article- In brief: viscosity, only what the carmaker recommends Engine oil viscosity must match the carmaker’s recommendations: both a thicker and a thinner oil shorten an engine’s life.
Types and composition of oils
1 article- Synthetic or mineral? Synthetic oil has more stable properties than, say, hydrocracked or semi-synthetic oil.
Manufacturer approvals
3 articles- In Brief: About Oil Approvals Many carmakers have their own engine oil standards, so the manufacturer’s approval is the first thing to consider; a note with a list of the site’s topics.
- In brief: on the compatibility of engines and oils Why modern low-viscosity and Longlife oils are barred for engines built before 2001, and why 0W-20, 0W-16 and 0W-8 do not suit even many 2010s cars.
- What oil should you put in a Mercedes? To see the up-to-date information, please follow the link below. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Oil change and intervals
42 articles- In brief: about “snowdrops”... A tip for cars that sit unused all winter: start the engine and warm it up fully once a week, and change the engine oil in spring before setting off.
- In Brief: The “Weekend” Car... A car should be driven every day: if it is used only at weekends, change the engine oil more often than the recommended interval says.
- In brief: about traffic jams... Why city traffic jams are severe conditions for an engine: the oil oxidises and collects dust and fuel, so change it more often than the schedule says.
- How often to change Longlife oil? (the label on the can) Always be sure to follow the automaker's requirements for how long the service intervals should be.
- Service interval and Longlife engine oil An oil whose label allows extended change intervals does not cancel the carmaker’s requirements: change it as often as your particular car calls for.
- How often to change Longlife oil? (the label on the pack) The word Longlife on an engine oil can does not mean you can change the oil less often: the interval is set by the car manufacturer’s requirements.
- Longlife A Longlife label on an oil can is no reason to change the oil less often: a short reminder to stick to the change interval set by the carmaker.
- Longlife engine oils: the label on the packaging A note about an extended change interval on the oil packaging is no reason to service the car less often: the interval is set by the carmaker’s requirements.
- Longlife engine oils: a tin of oil An extended-interval note on the tin does not mean the oil can be changed less often: the length of the interval is set by the carmaker, not the label.
- Longlife oils An extended change interval stated on an oil label does not cancel the service schedule: a short note on why you should follow the carmaker’s service intervals.
- How often to change Longlife engine oils The word Longlife on an oil label does not by itself mean the oil can be changed less often: service intervals are set by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Longlife engine oils: the can and the service book The fact that an oil can states it's suitable for use with extended oil change intervals doesn't mean the servicing itself can be done less often!
- Longlife car oils The fact that a manufacturer has marked an oil's label as suitable for use with extended service intervals absolutely does not mean you can change this oil less often!
- Longlife engine oils: the oil label The fact that an engine oil label states it's suitable for use with extended oil change intervals doesn't in any way mean you can change the oil less often!
- How often should you change Longlife engine oil? A Longlife mark on the oil can does not entitle you to change it less often: the change interval comes from the carmaker’s recommendations, not from the can.
- Service interval and Longlife oil The word Longlife on the oil label doesn't by itself mean that servicing can be done less often!
- In brief: on Longlife and dirty streets... In a dusty city, change the air filter at least every 10,000 km, and the extended Longlife service interval is not recommended.
- In Brief: Longlife Oil... Only the car manufacturer can allow an extended Longlife interval: the word Longlife on an engine oil label is not enough to service a car that way.
- Is engine flushing necessary? (genuine oil) A genuine, quality engine oil contains detergent additives and cleans the engine by itself, so regular engine flushing is unnecessary when you use such oil.
- To flush or not to flush the engine? (genuine oil, no counterfeits) A short answer: good, genuine engine oil contains detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself and regular flushing is not needed.
- Is a flush needed? (genuine oil) A short answer on whether to flush the engine at an oil change: genuine, good oil has detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself without a separate flush.
- On engine flushing (no flushing needed) All oils contain detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself without any effort on your part.
- Does the engine need flushing? (quality oil, no counterfeits) Genuine, good-quality engine oil contains detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself and needs no regular flushing. A short answer to the question.
- To flush or not to flush the engine? (detergent additives in oil) A note on detergent additives in car oil: genuine, good oil cleans the engine without any help from the owner, so there is no need to flush it at an oil change.
- Flushing the engine when changing the oil With regular changes of good engine oil there is no need to flush the engine: the detergent additives in the oil clean it without any extra steps.
- Flushing when changing engine oil In brief, on flushing at an oil change: if the engine runs on genuine, good oil, its detergent additives clean the engine and a separate flush is unnecessary.
- Is a flush needed? (detergent additives) The detergent additives in engine oil clean the engine as it runs, so with genuine, good oil regular flushing is not needed. The main point in brief.
- On engine flushing (detergent additives in the oil) The detergent additives found in every engine oil clean the engine as it runs, so with genuine, good oil you need not flush the engine at every change.
- Do you need to flush the engine? If your engine is running genuine, good automotive oil, there's no need to flush the engine every time you change it!
- Is engine flushing necessary? (detergent additives) The detergent additives in engine oil constantly clean the engine’s internal surfaces, so with a genuine quality oil a separate engine flush is superfluous.
- On engine flushing Every engine oil contains detergent additives, so the engine gets cleaned without any effort on your part.
- On engine flushing (flushing additives in the oil) If your engine runs on genuine, good engine oil, you don't need to flush it at every oil change!
- Even a new engine uses oil Any engine uses oil, even a brand-new one, and that is normal. A more viscous oil and calmer driving help to reduce the consumption.
- In brief: about engine flushing... The safest way to flush an engine is to change the oil several times in a row over two or three weeks; flushing additives poured into the oil do the most harm.
- To flush or not to flush the engine? (how to flush it correctly) If you always use genuine, quality oil, flushing the engine every time is pointless!
- Does the engine need flushing? (how to flush it correctly) If you use quality, genuine engine oil, there is no need to flush the engine!
- In Brief: Where to Change the Oil?... Change and top up engine oil in a clean, dust-free space; vacuum extraction is one of the better options here, but then change the oil more often.
- Where to change your oil? Have your oil changed at a garage that keeps its premises clean: dirt that gets into the engine reduces the benefit of fresh oil to a minimum.
- Where is it best to change your oil? The main thing when choosing a garage for an oil change is cleanliness: dirt in the engine cancels the benefit of fresh oil and brings costly repairs closer.
- Oil change - where and how is best? It's better not to cut corners either on engine maintenance or on choosing your oil. When picking a garage, use one that's clean.
- Where is it best to change your oil? Why you should not skimp on engine oil and servicing, and why to pick a clean garage for an oil change, as dirt in the engine speeds up an expensive repair.
- Where is it best to change your car's oil? Dust, dirt and an owner’s excessive thriftiness harm the engine: why the place for an oil change must be clean and how dust in the engine becomes an abrasive.
Oil consumption and additives
41 articles- Higher oil consumption High oil consumption has two causes, a leak and burning: a leak is simply repaired, while burning can be reduced without a major engine overhaul.
- Where does the oil disappear to? Even a newly bought engine slowly “eats” oil. A higher-viscosity oil and a calmer driving style help cut burn-off; the main points in brief.
- On the causes of engine oil consumption Every engine burns some oil, even one that was only recently bought. More on the causes of oil consumption.
- On the causes of oil consumption You can significantly cut how much oil your engine burns by using a more viscous oil and changing your driving style.
- High engine oil consumption in the engine The two main causes of high engine oil consumption are burning and leaks: a leak must be fixed, while burning can be reduced well before an engine overhaul.
- Cutting engine oil consumption significantly Every engine burns some engine oil, even a brand-new one. An article on the causes of engine oil consumption.
- Higher engine oil consumption (more viscous oil) A short note: every engine burns oil, even a new one, and a calmer driving style and a more viscous oil can noticeably reduce how much is lost.
- Where does the oil go? A short note on the two causes of higher engine oil consumption, leaks and burn-off, and why burn-off can be cut noticeably without an engine overhaul.
- High oil consumption Even a new engine uses some oil; burning can be cut by changing your driving style and using a thicker oil, while third-party additives put the engine at risk.
- High engine oil consumption Even a newly bought car can burn oil; changing your driving style and switching to a higher-viscosity engine oil noticeably reduces the consumption.
- On the causes of engine oil consumption A short note on oil burn-off: even a new engine burns oil, and consumption can be cut noticeably with a more viscous oil and a different driving style.
- Higher engine oil consumption In brief, how to cut engine oil consumption from burning: switch to a more viscous oil and change your driving style, since even a new car burns off some oil.
- Causes of engine oil consumption: in brief In brief, the two causes of higher engine oil consumption, a leak and burning: a leak is fixed, and burning can be reduced without an engine overhaul.
- Causes of oil consumption A note on oil consumption: every engine, even a new one, uses some oil, and a more viscous oil and a calmer driving style can bring consumption down.
- Where does engine oil go? (how to cut down burn-off) Even a new engine consumes oil. This note explains that burn-off can be cut significantly by switching to a more viscous oil and driving more calmly.
- Higher engine oil consumption (changing your driving style) Oil burns off in every engine, even a brand-new one. This note explains that a different driving style and a more viscous oil cut consumption from burning.
- Where does engine oil go? (leaking or burning off) Engine oil either burns off or leaks. A short note on why both causes of oil consumption can usually be fixed without an engine overhaul.
- Burning oil: does it call for an overhaul? Burning oil does not always mean an overhaul: it is often cheaper to just top up the oil, and if the burning is very heavy, replacing the engine costs less.
- An engine oil leak A short note: not every spot where engine oil can leak is visible with the bonnet open, and not every garage mechanic knows them. See the oil consumption article.
- How to reduce oil consumption A short note: before you commit to an engine overhaul because of high oil consumption, try some less drastic ways of reducing it.
- On the causes of oil consumption Engine oil either burns off or leaks out. A short note on why a leak is easier to fix, and why fighting burn-off is not always worth the effort.
- On the causes of engine oil consumption in the engine There are only two causes of oil consumption: the oil either burns off in the cylinder block along with the fuel, or it leaks out of the engine.
- Why Does Oil Go Down? There are only two reasons for engine oil consumption: in reality the oil either burns off in the cylinder block along with the fuel, or it simply leaks out onto the ground.
- How to prevent excessive oil consumption? The two main causes of engine oil consumption: leaks through seals and gaskets, and burning in the cylinders from worn valve seals, rings or an ill-matched oil.
- Do oil additives harm the engine? Using these supplements substantially alters the characteristics of engine oil, which already has every element it needs straight from the factory.
- Do additives harm the engine? (automotive oil) A short note on why aftermarket additives in automotive oil are risky: they change the properties of a finished oil that already contains everything it needs.
- Is there a real effect from additives? Topping up with such additives will fundamentally change the characteristics of an engine oil that already has every element it needs.
- Is there a real effect from using additives? By using any additives in engine oil, you are taking on the risk of damaging the engine.
- Should you add additives to your oil A short note on aftermarket additives in engine oil: they change the quality of an oil that already has every component it needs, and can harm the engine.
- Do additives in oil harm the engine? (third-party additives) In brief, on third-party oil additives: they fundamentally change an oil that already has all the components it needs, and risk harming the engine.
- Is there a real result from using additives? A short answer on oil additives: they radically change an oil that already has everything it needs from the factory, and risk harming the engine.
- Do additives harm the engine? (engine oil) Aftermarket additives in engine oil always put the engine at risk: a short note on why a ready-made factory oil needs no extra additives.
- Will additives actually deliver results? Should you add additives to oil: ready-made oil already contains everything it needs, and third-party additives change its quality and can harm the engine.
- Do additives harm the engine? Oil leaves the factory with everything the engine needs; a topped-up additive changes its quality substantially, and the driver takes the risk of engine damage.
- Do oil additives harm the engine? (any additives) Any additive radically changes the properties of engine oil, though the oil already contains all the engine needs, so the owner takes the risk of damage.
- Should you add additives Engine oil comes from the factory with everything the engine needs, so extra additives change its properties and put the engine at risk. A short note.
- Do additives in oil harm the engine? A note on why additives in car oil are harmful: they substantially change its chemistry, although the oil leaves the factory with everything the engine needs.
- Do oil additives harm the engine? (third-party additives) Third-party additives change the characteristics of car oil that already has everything it needs, so every use of them puts the engine at risk.
- Do additives harm the engine? A short answer on oil additives: any supplement risks harming the engine, because it substantially changes an oil that already contains everything it needs.
- Do additives poured into the oil harm the engine? (topping up additives) Topping up with aftermarket additives changes the quality of an engine oil that already has all it needs and puts the engine at risk. A short note.
- In brief: about additives... Oil additives give only an instant effect, and the engine is replaced afterwards; every additive an engine needs is already in the oil at the factory.
Car maintenance
34 articles- Servicing a second-hand car A short tip for owners of a used car: right after registration, service it with new oil, filters, technical fluids and belts, as earlier maintenance is unknown.
- Getting a second-hand car After buying a used car, specialists advise an immediate service with new engine oil, fluids, belts and all filters, because its maintenance history is unknown.
- First Service on a Used Car Buying a used car is a lottery, so a full service is advised straight after: filters, fluids, engine oil, belts and tensioners. A short piece of advice.
- First Service on a Second-Hand Car As soon as possible after registering a used car, have it serviced: oil, belts and rollers, filters and fluids, since its earlier maintenance is unknown.
- What to change on a used car? As soon as possible after registering a used car, you should have it serviced, with all filters, fluids, belts and oils changed.
- What to replace in a used car? A used car’s service history is unknown, so right after buying it have a big service done, replacing the filters, oil, belts, pulleys and fluids.
- First Service on a Used Car As early as the day after registering a used car, you need to have a service done, changing the engine oil, belts, fluids, and filters.
- Servicing a used car The service history of a used car is unknown, so right after buying it a major service is advised: engine oil, belts and tensioners, fluids and filters.
- What to change on a used car? After buying a used car with an unknown service history, have it serviced straight away and replace all the filters, operating fluids, engine oil and belts.
- So you've decided to buy a used car... Buying a used car comes with risk, since you don't know how well the previous owner maintained it.
- In brief: right after you buy the car Advice for used car buyers: replace every fluid right after purchase to protect the cooling system, brakes, power steering and automatic from costly repairs.
- Change all the fluids! Besides engine oil, change the coolant, power steering, brake and automatic transmission fluids: usually every two years, the automatic every 60,000-100,000 km.
- Servicing a used car After buying a used car, have it serviced straight away, replacing all filters, fluids, engine oil and belts, because its service history is unknown.
- What engine oil should you use in winter? As a category, winter oils haven't been made for a long time now - most engine oils today are considered universal.
- Winter Car Oil In brief, on oil for winter: if the engine starts easily in the morning, there is no need to change oil, as separate winter oils are long gone and most are all-season.
- Oils for winter Winter oils haven't been produced for a long time now, since most engine oils are all-season.
- Choosing car oil for winter If you never have trouble with cold starts in frosty weather, keep using your usual car oil.
- Winter Car Oil Should you change engine oil type for winter? Not if cold starts are trouble-free, since winter car oils are no longer made and most oils are all-season.
- Engine oil for winter Separate winter oils fell out of use long ago: most engine oils are all-season, and without cold-start trouble there is no need to switch oil for winter.
- Winter engine oil Dedicated winter engine oils have not been used for a long time, since most automotive oils today are universal, all-season products.
- On winter oils Separate winter engine oils are not normally made: most oils suit year-round use, and if the engine starts easily on cold mornings, keep the oil you use.
- Car oil for winter Most engine oils today are universal, so if your engine starts without trouble on frosty mornings, you can leave your usual oil in for the winter.
- How to warm up an automatic transmission? How to warm up an automatic transmission in frost: a few minutes each in “Drive” and “Reverse” with the brake held, and no kick-down until the engine is warm.
- To warm up or not to warm up? Why warm the engine up for a few minutes in frost: thickened oil does not protect the parts, and loading a cold engine risks scoring the cylinders.
- What to run in winter? Should you change oil for winter: before severe frosts an all-season oil can be swapped for the same one with lower winter viscosity, such as 5W-40 for 10W-40.
- Winter Car Oils Winter car oils stopped being made long ago and most modern oils are all-season, so with normal frosty starts there is no need to change oil brand for winter.
- In brief: on changing transmission oil In sealed manual gearboxes the gear oil is not changed: only check the level and top up with the original oil from the car manufacturer.
- Choosing coolant Which coolant to use: only the one the carmaker specifies, never swapping antifreeze for Tosol, and only a quality product from a trusted seller and brand.
- Coolant Why coolant (antifreeze) must be changed on schedule, usually every two years, and how intervals have changed for modern Toyota coolants and Volkswagen G12evo.
- In brief: gear oils Why gear oil, especially for automatics, is best bought genuine: a substitute may be counterfeit or the wrong composition, and gearbox repairs are costly.
- In Brief: About Bulb Wattage Why you should not fit headlight bulbs stronger than the manufacturer specifies: the housing and reflector plastic melts; and what to do if the lights are dim.
- Working shock absorbers extend the life of the suspension Faulty shock absorbers speed up wear of control arms, ball joints, bushings and tie rods, while good ones prolong suspension life and keep the car stable.
- Don't forget to get the suspension checked! Modern cars generally have good sound insulation, so if you don't hear any knocking, that doesn't necessarily mean the suspension is fine.
- How to extend the life of an automatic transmission? The handbrake rule Two rules for an automatic gearbox: after shifting to park, set the handbrake before releasing the brake, and never floor it just after starting the engine.