Good engine oil can help increase your car's performance and fuel efficiency, while also helping reduce unnecessary wear on your engine, saving you a from nasty repair bill. It's well worth looking at getting some good engine oil to keep your car in good working order.
The issue is, there are so many choices that it can all become quite confusing. Thankfully, we at Parkers have put together a list of the best engine oils for sale.
Best engine oils
1. Castrol Edge
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A great premium choice, synthetic oil is the best thing you can add to a modern engine. Developed in a lab, it can be produced to a much higher standard and will better protect your car's engine. This offering from Castrol will help protect the internals of your car to improve efficiency and decrease engine wear.
2. Castrol GTX
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Part synthetic is a great option if you're looking for engine oil on a bit of a budget. This option from Castrol is also designed to protect your engine and keep it working efficiently. It also stops sludge building up in your car's engine.
3. AmazonBasics Motor Engine Oil
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A great budget engine oil, the AmazonBasics engine oil will still protect your car's engine. As a semi-synthetic offering, it will keep your car's internals lubricated but won't have the additives other oils offer.
4. Castrol Magnatec Stop-Start
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Your engine goes under exceptional stress as you drive in busy traffic and all that stop-start driving can lead to increased engine wear. Magnatec from Castrol is designed to protect your engine as you drive in these conditions which will help your engine in top condition.
5. Millers Oils CFS 5W40
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Designed to improve engine power whilst also reducing temperature and wear, this oil is the perfect choice for motorsports or a performance road car. Nanodrive technology ensures that this oil offers the lowest possible friction to keep your engine in good working order.
6. Comma CLA20505L classic motor oil
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Classic car engine oil is designed to protect an older car's engine. Older cars tended to run at a higher viscosity than modern cars, so don't always gel well with modern oils. Classic oils also have a higher viscosity to prevent oil leaks, the bane of many classic car owners. This classic oil is therefore perfect for an older car.
7. Halfords 2 stroke engine oil
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Two-stroke engines require oil and petrol to be mixed together, so it's always a good idea to have some two-stroke oil handy. Petrol-powered garden equipment like chainsaws and lawnmowers use two-stroke motors so it's a good idea to keep a bottle in the shed.
How to choose the correct engine oil
What oil do I need for my car?
When looking for engine oil, your first port of call should be your car's handbook. It will recommend the correct oil to keep your engine working in the best order.
Some websites now offer a service that will tell you what oil you need just by inputting your car's registration number, such as Amazon Garage and Halfords.
Synthetic or semi-synthetic?
Most modern oils are either fully synthetic or a blend of natural and synthetic. Synthetic oils are developed in a lab and can be built to a higher quality than naturally-sourced oils. This allows for better engine protection but does mean it costs more.
Semi-synthetic offers some of the refinement and protection bonus of fully synthetic, without costing as much. If you're shopping on a budget then it's a good idea to look at getting a blend of the two.
When do I need to change my oil?
It's very important to check your car's oil levels regularly, otherwise, your engine can become damaged. Oil protects, cools and lubricates your engine (all vital jobs) but over time, this oil breaks down and needs replacing.
Your car's handbook should indicate how often to change your car's oil but the general rule is roughly every 12 months for modern vehicles (dependent on your mileage).