What Oil For My Car?

Choosing the correct engine oil is one of the most important parts of maintaining your vehicle. The right oil keeps your engine lubricated, reduces wear, improves efficiency, and helps prevent long-term damage.

Using the wrong oil can affect performance, so it’s always best to check your manufacturer’s recommendation before topping up or booking a service.

What oil does my car need?

The correct oil for your car is listed in your vehicle handbook or can be found using an online oil checker that matches your registration number to manufacturer specifications.

Why the correct engine oil matters

Engine oil is essential because it:

• Lubricates moving engine parts
• Reduces friction and heat
• Helps clean internal engine components
• Improves fuel efficiency and performance

Modern engines are designed for specific oil grades, meaning even small differences (like viscosity or additives) can affect how the engine performs.

Understanding oil grades (like 5W-30)

Engine oil is labelled using a viscosity grade such as 5W-30.

In simple terms:

• The first number (e.g. 5W) relates to cold weather performance
• The second number (e.g. 30) relates to high temperature performance

Lower numbers usually mean thinner oil, which flows more easily in cold conditions, while higher numbers are thicker and better suited for heat.

Types of engine oil

There are three main types of engine oil:

• Fully synthetic oil – highest performance and longest life
• Semi-synthetic oil – a balance of performance and cost
• Mineral oil – older type, usually for older engines

Most modern cars use fully synthetic oil because it offers better protection and efficiency.

Abacus Vehicle Hire advice

At Abacus Vehicle Hire, all vehicles are maintained to manufacturer standards, including correct oil grades and service schedules. If you are hiring a vehicle, you do not need to worry about checking or topping up engine oil — it is fully handled as part of our maintenance process.

For personal vehicles, however, always check your handbook or use a trusted oil checker before topping up.