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What’s the best motor oil for winter?

Often referred to as the lifeblood of your vehicle, having both the correct type and proper amount of motor oil in your vehicle is imperative to ensuring that it not only performs its best, but it’s also a great way to avoid expensive repairs. However, not all oils are created equal, and it should come as no surprise that the cold winter months require their own special oil to provide peak performance. Read on to learn more about which motor oil is best for your vehicle in the winter. 

Why synthetic oil is the right choice

While conventional oil has been used in vehicles since the beginning, synthetic motor oil is a substantially better option now that it’s available. With the ability to protect your engine across a broader spectrum of temperature changes, synthetic oil ensures that your vehicle performs its best. Because oil is affected by temperature, conventional oil will become less viscous (essentially runnier) in the heat, and will become more viscous (think thicker, and slower moving) in the cold. In fact, when it gets too cold, the wrong oil can thicken to the point where it no longer lubricates the engine. While it’s still important to pick the right oil for the season, synthetic motor oil can withstand a substantially higher range of temperatures and provide greater protection for your engine.

Rating synthetic motor oil

You may have noticed a rating on every bottle of motor oil—this is an evaluation performed by the Society of Automotive Engineers to determine how a vehicle will perform in the cold. Common conventional motor oils will have a rating like 5W30, which is a better conventional oil for your vehicle in the winter. Conversely, most synthetic oils are rated 0W; when you see this rating on a bottle of motor oil you can usually assume that it’s a synthetic oil, and better able to withstand changes to ambient temperature.

Why switch to synthetic oil

The reality is most automakers have already switched to using synthetic, meaning your vehicle is probably already using a synthetic motor oil. With that being said, some vehicles (particularly older models) may still be using conventional oil. While we recommend speaking to a member of our service team if you’re unsure, you’re probably safe to switch to synthetic motor oil in most new vehicles. 

You can make an appointment to visit the Jack Carter Chev GMC service department any time, whether you’re in need of a seasonal tune-up or just want to chat with a member of our experienced team to learn more about the benefits of switching to a synthetic motor oil. Simply give us a call, or visit our Calgary dealership today!