Types of Automotive Engine Oil

There is various types of engine oil available in the automotive market, targeting the most common vehicle users. The main challenge is to choose the correct variation or series number of engine oil based on their vehicle requirements. For overview, there is three types of most common automotive engine oil sold in Malaysia which is fully synthetic oil, semi-synthetic oil and mineral oil. They are all classified based on certain criteria and for that, let's discover the differences of every engine oil.
 
Fully Synthetic
Fully synthetic oil formulated from modified compounds and synthesized molecules with much refining and purifying process which then created a specially engineered engine oil. It provides superior lubrication at both high and low temperatures, offers excellent viscosity stability, and reduces friction and wear on engine components. It can have wide wider range of colors, including amber, light brown, or even greenish hues varies on the additives, base oil formulation, and brand. The most common variation of fully synthetic oil includes of 0-20W, 0-30W, 5-30W, and 5-40W. These variation will come in 3 liters, 4 liters and 6 liters offering. It is highly recommended for newer model of cars or the use of 10,000km or 5 months duration interval.
 
Fully synthetic recommended for:
 
  • New model vehicle.
  • Use up to 10,000km.
  • 5 months of duration interval.
Semi Synthetic
Semi-synthetic or synthetic blend oil is the most popular choices for most drivers as it is balance in between of cost-effective and the engine performance. It combines the base properties of mineral oil with certain synthetic additives to enhance its performance as the additives provide protection and resist oxidation to almost every vehicles. In short, it characteristics almost the same as fully synthetic oil but what differentiate it was the exhibit of color range as every additives added gives lighter appearances or slight clear color. It comes in the series number of 5W-30W and 10-40W and sometimes being used couple of times when transitioning a vehicle from conventional to fully synthetic.
 
Semi-synthetic recommended for:
 
  • Basic model vehicle eg; Myvi, Persona, etc
  • Use up to 8,000km.
  • 3 months of duration interval.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil ie; conventional or regular oil, is derived from crude oil through a refining process to perform across a wide temperature range. It is the most basic variety of engine oils and is most commonly used in a large majority of vehicles as it is less expensive compared to synthetic oils. It suited to its price conveniency but the mineral oil only applicable if the usages are not too extreme as extreme engine usage will result to lower levels of performance and protection, thus, it will need frequent oil change. The series number mostly started from 10-30W, 15-40W and 20-50W.
 
Mineral oil recommended for:
 
  • Standard model vehicle eg; Saga, Perdana, Aeroback
  • Use up to 5,000km.
  • 2 months of duration interval.

Mar 08,2024