A vital element in the functioning of your car is its engine. Engine oil keeps all parts like a piston, various seals and more oiled to reduce friction as the fuel ignites and the right combustion occurs.
If you see sludge patches whenever you park your car or see oil leaking, something is wrong. At times, you may hear a knocking sound when you are driving. Some folks may experience a bad and smoky smell inside a car. All these symptoms point to bad engine oil. With constant use, engine oil becomes slicker and does not lubricate the moving engine parts as it is supposed to. This increases friction and affects the smooth functioning of engine parts.
It is time to replace engine oil of your BMW to get the peak performance from your car!
But which is the right engine oil for your car?
Here are our top choices!
Top 3 Picks [Comparison Table]
We have the following 3 top picks for your car.
Best Choice
Royal Purple 05530 API-Licensed SAE
- Made in the USA
- Excellent viscosity of 5w-30
- Enhanced protection from corrosion
- Excellent for ethanol-based fuels
- Enhanced protection from LSPI
- Higher fuel efficiencies
Premium Choice
Castrol 03093C GTX 10W-30 Motor Oil
- Made in the USA
- Increased wear protection (6 times)
- Ultra-low friction for increased fuel efficiencies
- Improved sludge protection (1.4 times)
- Dramatically reduce engine wear
- 5w-30 Viscosity
Best in Budget
Valvoline High Mileage
- Made in the USA
- Excellent packaging
- Prevents outflow into worn-out seals
- Decreased sludge formation
- Anti-rust and anti-corrosion
- Enhanced performance for friction
- Enhanced anti-wear additives
How Did We Pick the Best Car Engine Oil for Your Vehicle?
Our pick of the best engine oils for your car is based on research involving more than thirty brands and types. We considered availability, brands, expert opinions, and technical points before reaching the best five we recommend.
So go ahead, and choose one that’s the best for your car!
Best Car Engine Oil 2022 [Reviews]
Here is our list of recommended car engine oils. When you consider, don’t be bound by the price mentioned as you may want to reduce or increase the quantities. You may also find attractive cost options in your local stores that you have never heard of before. Choose wisely and select those that give your car a better engine life. So here you go on the best reviews of car engine oils for your convenience.
1. Royal Purple High-Performance Engine Oil (5 Gallon) SAE 5W-30
A class apart from the standard synthetic engine oils is the Royal Purple Motor Oil. It boasts of combining high-quality base oils with patented additives and the latest engine oil technologies to offer you the best oils for your car’s engine. No more cranking or knocking sound in your car, no more spilt oil patches under your car in your driveaway!
Now upgrade to Royal Purple engine oils without any second thoughts of compatibility with your current engine oil. They support all engine oils, including synthetic or mineral oils. If you have a new car with a gasoline engine, we strongly recommend that you wait until the first engine oil change stipulated by your car manufacturer.
With this Royal Purple engine oil, you get SAE and API standardized ratings of one of the best specifications. Your car’s engine parts get one of the best protection against wear and tear. You will notice improved performance irrespective of whether your car runs on gasoline or diesel, with the best quality diesel tuner.
How is that? Well, this engine oil has superior quality additives that avoid any contact between metals, keeping them free of each other. With friction being reduced, you get increased fuel efficiencies from your car. You should know that this Royal Purple engine oil offers one of the best protection even in cases of Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) engines.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Excellent viscosity of 5w-30
- Enhanced protection from corrosion
- Excellent for ethanol-based fuels
- Enhanced protection from LSPI
- Higher fuel efficiencies
- Increased shield for all equipment involved in a vehicle’s exhaust emission process
Cons
- Expensive
Only the well-traveled know the importance of an important brand like the Royal Purple. Increased mileage, better protection from wear and tear and more are things you don’t notice in the short term as you drive and go around doing your chores. Experience smooth drives and peak performance with the Royal Purple brand
2. Castrol 03057-3PK GTX Magnatec Green 5W-30 Motor Oil – 5 Quart x 3 pcs)
Did you know that as you switch on your car, more than seventy-five percent of car engine parts are at risk of damage? The next condition is frequently stopping and moving your vehicle, for example, in heavy traffic or when on rugged terrain. Most engine parts are raring to go but held back with brakes and gear during peak traffic as you let your vehicle engine idle. The engine parts are heated up at high temperatures as you pause and move. All these lead to quick wear and tear of engine parts.
Say no to frequent engine wear and tear! Get yourself the Castrol GTX Magnatec engine oil. This patented technology engine oil has a 100% synthetic composition. Its molecules cover the most significant part of your vehicle’s engine. They form extra protective layers on these parts. This Castrol engine oil offers your vehicle enhanced wear protection upto six times more than what compete offers in this class.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Increased wear protection (6 times)
- Ultra-low friction for increased fuel efficiencies
- Improved sludge protection (1.4 times)
- Best for short drives with frequently stop and start
- Dramatically reduce engine wear
- 5w-30 Viscosity
- Unique TriShield technology for the best protection from any deposits
Cons
- Some folks may find the ten thousand mileage low for a replacement.
You must know that Castrol GTX Magnatec is being rebranded as Castrol GTX Full Synthetic in this calendar year from 1 Jan 2022. Yet, the assurance of strong engine protection and increased mileage is something that this Castrol engine will never ditch your vehicle for. So, go ahead and make your choice easier.
3. Valvoline High Mileage – MaxLife Technology SAE 5W-30 (pack of 3 x 5 quarts)
No more oil patches on your driveway as you use this premium product by Valvoline, a reputed brand. The MaxLife technology gives enhanced protection to vehicles with seventy-five thousand miles.
The SAW 5W-30 MaxLife Technology does not let anything hamper the performance of your engine horsepower or fuel efficiencies. It combats all signs of rust, corrosion and any sludge from the engine to keep the engine at peak performance. It prevents any pollutants from taking away fuel efficiencies by burning the engine oil. It has a high flash point of nearly two hundred degrees Celsius.
The addition of anti-oxidants at manufacturing stages reduces engine oil breakdown. No more engine-clogging with sludge and other deposits that hold up the performance of your vehicle.
Get this pack of three, each of five quarts, so that you do not have to search and hunt for engine oil when you need it. Once you replenish, store it conveniently in your garage, out of reach from children.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Excellent packaging
- Available in individual 5 qt packs also
- Prevents outflow into worn-out seals
- Decreased sludge formation
- Anti-rust and anti-corrosion
- Enhanced performance for friction
- Enhanced anti-wear additives
- Readily available at most stores, even on highways
Cons
- Check on compatibility with your vehicle specs.
Drive free from any worries once you have replaced your vehicle’s engine oil with the Valvoline MaxLife technology engine oil. Gear up to see increased mileage, better fuel efficiencies and more.
4. Castrol 03107C GTX ULTRACLEAN 5W-20 Motor Oil, 5 Quart, 3 Pack
Now no more getting stuck in cold temperatures with the Castrol 03107C GTX Ultraclean oil. Start your car with a race that never dies down. One of the best oils by Castrol, it cleans any sludge with new chemical additives. This patented technology assures you more than fifty percent better sludge removal than other oils.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Enhanced cover from any viscosity related breakdowns
- Very low deposits due to high temperature from the engine
- Contains premium oils and as foundations
- Special additives for the longevity of your engine
- Increased mileage with low friction agents
- Removes sludges by more than fifty percent than competitors
Cons
- Recommended Bosch oil filters
Castrol is branded engine oil that can increase the longevity of your car. Now you can drive peacefully without any cranking noises or more.
Enjoy your drives with your car purring like a tamed vehicle.
5. Mobil 1 Extended Performance (120766) 5W-30 Engine Oil (5 Quart)
Many folks contest which one is a better brand – Mobil or Royal Purple or Pennzoil or Mobil 1. Do you want to ensure a long life for your engine? Do you wish to have maximum mileage so that oil change doesn’t stop you, mid-way between your travels?
The best choice to go without a second thought is the Mobil 1 Extended Performance full synthetic engine oil 5W-30. It is the choice that even people in motorsports prefer! It has a patented engine oil blend that gives you a fantastic twenty-thousand-mile before you even think of an engine oil replacement.
How is that achieved?
Stringent quality tests in raw material procurement, the latest engine oil technology and more are the ingredients for this engine oil. All engine parts get the same amount of lubrication with their evenly shaped oil molecules – nothing less, nothing more. This enhances the life of various engine parts and gives you peak performance. So, avoid any build-up of deposits or sludge in your vehicle with this engine oil.
Pros
- Verified and proven track record for reliability
- Extended duration between engine oil changes
- Made in the USA
- Excellent viscosity grade of 5w-30
- Latest and updated full-synthetic engine oil formulations
- Enhanced and steady levels of viscosity
- Best lubrication for your engine
- Enhanced protection from wear and tear
- One of the best stabilizing oils for thermal and oxidation
Cons
- Expensive than other synthetic engine oils
- Provide extra protection to your car’s engine from extreme heat as it is fired up internal engine heat protection. This engine oil is best for minus thirty to five hundred degrees Fahrenheit engine heat conditions. So, have fun as you drive in extreme weather! Your engine oil will never buckle on your travel plans!
What to While Buying the Best Engine Oil for your Car
Here are the top things to consider while searching for the best engine oil for your car.
Types of engine oils
Essentially there are three different types of engine oils, conventional, synthetically blended and fully synthetic.
Conventional
Conventional engine oils are the most primitive types used many decades ago. You may find some car brands still offering this as a recommended type to be used. Such engine oils contain many additives, including detergents that help prevent sludge formation. They don’t give you a higher mileage as do fully synthetic ones. The best thing is that they don’t leak into worn-out or damaged seals and more.
Synthetic Blended
These engine oils contain a synthetic element base added to conventional engine oil. Essentially, it’s conventional oil with a boost. A synthetic blend increases performance and protects your engine more than conventional oil. One major benefit of a synthetic blend is that it is much less expensive than fully synthetic options.
Fully Synthetic
Most of the current automobiles are equipped with synthetic oils. These are artificial lubricating engine oils. The foundation in such oils is crude oil. They are the best for higher revolutions per minute, extreme temperatures and heavier weight loads. Read the labels of the engine oil that you are exploring to know more about its features.
Increased mileage
Most synthetic oils have additives added to the base (crude oil) during manufacture. This makes such engine oils durable for pulling heavier loads and covering higher mileage, thus meeting your needs. They reduce any build-up from sludges and give the piston and other engine parts higher protection from wear and tear.
Engine seals and caps with rubber parts are another reason for replacing oil. Increased mileage oils have another additive to prevent leakage from such rubber seals.
Viscosity
The type of engine fitted in a vehicle determines the need for a particular level of engine oil viscosity. Various considerations like engine performance, piston functioning, extremely high temperatures generated while combustion and more determine the viscosity needed.
These are determined at a vehicle manufacturer’s end. Hence your owner’s manual for your vehicle is the best to stick to while replacing engine oils. Do not buy an engine oil with a lesser or richer viscosity rating. It may prove disastrous for your car’s engine.
If you need a special engine oil for extreme cold conditions, check those your car manufacturer recommends. Trying to experiment could lead you to expensive repairs later.
Modifiers for friction
Most engine parts of a vehicle are in constant friction when working. Even while at rest, they are touching each other. They are often made from premium-grade steel or other non-corrosive materials. Hence, your vehicle’s engine needs engine oil to reduce friction.
Some folks may prefer to buy engine oils that enhance to reduce the friction between various engine parts like the piston, camshafts, and more. Hence such friction modifiers enhance the life of your vehicle’s engine.
Frequency of oil change
Most motor engine oils offer you a mileage between five to ten thousand miles. However, do check what your vehicle’s manual defines it as. Usually, fully synthetic engine oils may offer you slightly more mileage. Well-reputed brands like Royal Purple offer you great mileage of ten thousand miles or more, depending on the type of engine oil you are buying. Other factors like your driving behaviors, road surface and other factors also impact the frequency of replacing engine oils.
We are sure that you are better equipped to select the best engine oil for your car with these considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which car engine oil should I be using for my car?
You have a wide variety of brands available in the car engine oil segment. We strongly recommend that you check your vehicle owner’s manual to check for specifications advised by your car manufacturer. Details will typically mention the type of engine oil recommended and the needed weight. For the best functioning of your car’s engine, go with your car manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not attempt to add or change different oils.
2. Which car engine oil gives longevity?
Most synthetic oils have a long shelf life. Of course, there are variations basis the brands and the quality of synthetic car engine oils. Synthetic blended car engine oils follow synthetic oils. And the conventional motor oil comes towards the end in shelf life.
The shelf-life is usually mentioned on the packaging itself and in the specifications. It is best to buy a recently manufactured engine oil to gain maximum shelf-life for your vehicle.
The shelf-life or longevity of engine oil is best determined by its storage conditions. Extreme temperatures and keeping it in an open environment degrade any engine oil’s shelf life.
3. What do API and SAE standards on car engine oil packs mean?
The American Petroleum Institute or API certifies the engine oil performance of different brands. The API certifications lay down strict criteria on the branding of car engine oils. These certifications and recommendations are made after several engine oils have been tested for quality and performance on different engines.
Additionally, most engine oil packs depict the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) logo. This signifies the viscosity number for that car engine oil type. It also has information if that particular engine oil has cleared an energy-conservation test.
Both these certifications represent quality and standardization.
4. What is the frequency of changing a car’s engine oil?
Most auto manufacturers have defined this basis the kind of engine they have in vehicles. Most folks ask about the difference between changing the engine oil and adding it. This is listed in your car owner’s manual. Do not ignore the mileage or period mentioned to change your car engine oil. What will happen if you don’t go as per what is advised? Car engine oils tend to get slicker and viscous, hence lowering the engine’s performance. Further, some manufacturers may cancel your vehicle’s warranty.
Most new vehicles have a mileage ranging between five to ten thousand miles before replacing engine oil. If you have a piece of towing equipment like a trailer or RV, or you frequently stop and start due to traffic or terrain, it may be advisable to check in to the pit for an earlier change of your car’s engine oil. Reason? Well, your vehicle is pulling heavier loads making the engine work harder. This consumes extra power, and hence a replacement of engine oil is suggested.
5. Which engine oil brand gives me a higher mileage or an older engine?
Well, go for engine oils that advertise and claim a higher mileage. Why? Such engine oils have special additives chemical formulations and are easily available for most synthetic, synthetic blends and natural engine oils. Such engine oils prevent leakages by completely tightening seals as the piston works hard over time. This helps maintain the engine life for your convenience and peak performance.
6. Are synthetic oils harmful?
No. Synthetic oils are not harmful. In fact, the biggest advantage they offer is a lowered cost and enhanced engine protection for your vehicle. The concern could be if your engine has broken or worn out seals. Synthetic engine oils are less dense than conventional engine oils. Hence, they tend to get absorbed and mixed into various engine parts through such worn-out seals.
7. What is the benefit of using special or additive-based engine oils?
Many special or additive-based engine oils have claims to their fame. You would want to check reviews before purchasing such an engine oil. Most of them promise a higher mileage before changing and replacing your vehicle’s engine oil. Use the information of your vehicle owner’s manual for a peaceful mind and be assured of safety.
8. Can I change the viscosity specifications of engine oil in case of an emergency or non-availability?
No. We don’t recommend this. Why? Your car engine has defined ways of working and the engine oil required. Any vehicle manufacturer has laid this out in a vehicle owner’s manual. Do not make any changes even if you are stuck or stranded on the highway and your type of engine oil is not available.
Any difference in viscosity could hamper the wear and tear of the engine. While lighter oils will give less protection, heavier oils will make engine parts difficult and eventually destroy more parts.
You don’t want to run expensive bills for a little patience, do you?
9. How should I dispose of old engine oil?
You would have seen most mechanics pour old engine oils into drains. This is incorrect. Follow your country/state’s guidelines on disposing of harmful chemicals like old engine oils. You do not want to be paying hefty fines for not following the norms and laws of the land. Many auto shops and garages accept old engine oil to contain incorrect disposals.
Conclusion
This article details all the important considerations you must consider while making your purchase decisions. It is better to be penny-wise rather than being pound foolish, as the saying goes. The choice of engine oil is often limited to the specifications mentioned by your car manufacturer. Don’t go by the saying of a mechanic or a friend unless you think you must. You don’t want to be shelling out dollars for repairs, should you select one that harms your car’s engine.
Well-reputed brands offer you peace of mind as they have reliable and valid results during testing phases before the launch of any variant of engine oil. You are fine to consider offers and discounts while sticking with what your car owner’s manual specifies.
Also, check out our guides about how is synthetic motor oil made and does synthetic oil ever expires?
We wish you safe and happy driving!
