How To Read A Car Motor Oil & Get The Most Out Of Your Vehicle

When it comes to car maintenance, oil changes are one of the most important things you can do to keep your vehicle running smoothly. But unless you know how to read your car motor oil, you might not be getting the most out of your car.

In this post, Cutter CDJR Honolulu will show you how to interpret the different markings on your oil container and what they mean for your car.

Interpreting the Markings on Your Oil Can:

The markings on a typical car motor oil container will tell you a lot about the oil’s properties and characteristics. They might look something like this:

• API-SL/CF
• JASO MA/MB

Let’s break each of these down:

API-SL/CF: The API (American Petroleum Institute) rating indicates how well the oil performs in certain areas, such as high temperatures or extreme pressures. SL stands for “service level,” while CF is “current fuel.”

So the combination of these ratings tells you that this particular type of oil is especially suited for modern engines running on gasoline.

JASO MA/MB: The JASO (Japanese Automotive Standards Organization) rating refers to how well the oil performs in certain areas, such as protection against sludge build-up or corrosion. MA stands for “motorcycle,” while MB is “automotive.”

Again, this particular rating means that the oil is suitable for engines running on gasoline and offers extra protection against wear and tear.

Motor Oil Grade Numbers – 0W-20 What?

The first number indicates the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures – in this case, it’s 0W-20. The higher the number, the thicker the oil will be when cold.

Oils with a lower “w” rating are more efficient than those with a high one because they flow better and provide less resistance for your engine to turn over on cold mornings.

Why the Variety?

So why does an engine need different types of lubricants? Oil is made up of hydrocarbons; these molecules have long chains that can get tangled up quickly if they’re not moved around regularly enough (like spaghetti).

So by using thinner oils during hot weather conditions or thickening them during winter months when engines run less frequently than summertime motors, you’ll help make sure they stay in good shape.

Suppose there’s too much friction between moving parts. In that case, an engine can seize up and stop working altogether, so it makes sense that different types of motor oils would be needed depending on where you live or what season we’re currently experiencing!

For example, SAE 20W-50 oil may be the best choice for a vehicle in summer weather conditions, while SAE 0W-20 oil would be better during the winter months.

Changing Motor Oil:

When it comes time to change your car’s motor oil, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

• First, make sure to use the type of oil recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer. You can find this information in your car’s owner’s manual.
• Be sure to dispose of used motor oil properly – don’t just pour it down the drain!
• Remember that using the right kind of motor oil is only one part of keeping your car running well.

Make sure to schedule regular tune-ups and maintenance checks with us at Cutter CDJR in Honolulu, HI, to ensure that your vehicle gets the motor oil that’s best for it.

Schedule a service today!

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