Unless you’re one of the growing number of electric vehicle owners, you will absolutely, positively need to purchase engine oil at some point in your life as a motorist. For some, this can be a daunting task as they fret over which oil they should buy and which ones they should avoid or else destroy the inner workings of their car. Thankfully, most modern retailers have systems in place that can tell you which oil your car uses simply by reading your reg number but after the sale you’re on your own. So, let us answer one of the more common questions about engine oil: can you mix two different ones together without doing damage to your vehicle?
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What Happens If You Mix Two Different Types Of Engine Oil?
Mixing two different types of engine oil may not cause any problems, but there is a risk that it could damage your engine. This is especially likely if you mix two different oil grades as this can impact the properties of the fluid, including the viscosity. Whether you take the risk and mix two together instead of buying a brand new bottle of oil is up to you.
Do Specific Car Models Need Different Types Of Engine Oil?
Yes, there’s no set-in-stone oil type for any car, so it’s important that you check which you need whenever you get a new car. You might find that certain manufacturers will use the same type of oil for all of their vehicles, but that won’t always be the case. Even if you’ve had three or four cars from one particular manufacturer, you should still double check that your fifth one doesn’t buck the trend.
What Types Of Oil Are There Available?
As it turns out, there are several:
- Synthetic – This type of oil is specifically made from synthetic materials to maximise performance. It’s often used in more expensive vehicles.
- Semi-synthetic – This oil is a halfway point between the performance enhancing fully synthetic, which can be pricey, and the more affordable mineral oil.
- Mineral – Mineral is the other end of the spectrum from synthetic. It’s totally natural and can have a very positive effect on the lifespan of your engine, whilst also being biodegradable and cheap.
- Low SAPS – Sulphated ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur (SAPS) are additives that are present in motor oils to help preserve your engine, but excessive use can actually have the opposite effect and damage it. Low SAPS oils do exactly what they say on the tin; feature less SAPS to prevent harm to your engine.
- High-mileage – From its name, you may think High-mileage oil is for cars that cover long distances but actually, it’s for vehicles that have already done that. Typically used in cars with 100,000 miles plus on the odometer, this thicker oil gives older engines an extra level of protection against wear and tear.
How To Find The Right Oil For Your Car
Finding the correct oil to use in your car is about as easy as it can be. Firstly, if you have the vehicle’s handbook or manual you’ll be able to read through this in order to find the type of oil you need. It will be listed inside within the appropriate section.
Alternatively, you go with what is probably the simpler and more convenient option. Most major car part retailers now have an entire database of every part that suits every make and model, including the type of oil that they require. These retailers can take some basic info about your vehicle, or even just its reg number to speed up the process further, and tell you seconds which oil you need.
What Happens If I Use The Wrong Engine Oil?
If you accidentally or carelessly use the wrong oil in your vehicle’s engine, it can have disastrous consequences. Using oil that is the wrong thickness can lead to sludge-like deposits being left inside the inner-workings of your car that will cause blockages. It can also fail to properly lubricate the mechanisms which will result in overheating issues and a much accelerated rate of damage from wear and tear.
If wear and tear has already put your car beyond repair, get a quote for it today from Scrap Car Comparison. We’ll find you the best offers for your vehicle from professional scrap and salvage experts who are based locally to you. Thanks to our nationwide network of buyers, we’re even able to offer every single customer the free collection of their car or van no matter where they are! So, give us a call on 03333 44 99 50 or use our scrap car price calculator to get your valuation now!
