When is the best time to change an engine oil?

After using your car to the specified distance, it is necessary to get  your car checked by professionals and to change the fluids. Today, PTT Lubricants will guide you to the proper oil drain intervals. 

 Normally the information about oil drain intervals are indicated in the car manual, which includes details about when we should change the oil, how much the oil should be refilled, and how to select a suitable viscosity number and standard for each car model as well. However, if you do not have a car manual, you can also change the oil according to the recommendations from engine oil manufacturers or specialists. 

The oil drain intervals generally vary depending on the type of vehicle and usage. For a passenger car, pickup truck, SUV and PPV, the intervals range from 5000 to 15,000 kilometers depending on the quality of the engine oil you choose. If you are using a specially high quality grade oil, it can be used up to 15,000 kilometers. The interval also depends on the usage of the car. For example, the engine oil of a racing car usually gets changed immediately after the race is over due to the harsh operating conditions throughout the race.

Many people may not be aware that commercially available engine oils come in a variety of grades in accordance with the type of base oil used. Therefore, before choosing engine oil, we should first get to know the differences between each grade, so we can choose the appropriate one for our car.

1. Mineral Grade

Mineral grade oil has a relatively short service life and cannot resist high temperatures well. The mineral base oil is obtained from the crude oil refining process by using the part at the bottom of the distillation tower to be purified through a few steps. Therefore, there are still some contaminants left and some properties are still no at their best, resulting in quick deterioration of the oil. The drain interval for cars is 5,000-7,000 kilometers or 4-6 months, whichever comes first, and 1,000-2,000 kilometers for motorcycles.

2. Synthetic Technology Grade

Semi-synthetic or synthetic technology grade engine oil has a longer service life than that of mineral grade. It contains two types of base oils which are synthetic and mineral base oil (the proportions of those vary from brand to brand). The properties of semi-synthetic oil are between synthetic and mineral oil. The drain interval is at 7,000 - 10,000 kilometers or 6-9 months, whichever comes first for cars and 3,000 kilometers for motorcycles.

3. Fully Synthetic Grade

This type of engine oil has the longest service life. It is produced from synthetic base oils that have undergone a number of refining and improvement processes to obtain the highest purity oil, or is an oil synthesized from a chemical process to achieve high lubricating and heat resistant power.

It has low friction and evaporation rate, and can resist deterioration well. These qualities will help prevent wear with strong oil film while also improving engine performance. This grade of an engine oil has longer service life with a drain interval of approximately 15,000 kilometers or 9-12 months, whichever comes first for cars, and about 5,000 kilometers for motorcycles.

For anyone who is planning to have your engine oil changed, now you know the differences between all the grades and their properties. You should not forget to choose the one that is suitable for your car and have it changed at the recommended oil drain interval as well, so that your car can run at its maximum efficiency for a long time. 

And don't forget to look for products from PTT Lubricants, available today at PTT Station, FIT Auto stores, and other PTT Lubricants distributing stores near you!