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IT'S MORE THAN JUST OIL. IT'S LIQUID ENGINEERING.

  1. Home
  2. CAR ENGINE OIL & FLUIDS
  3. ENGINE OILS
  4. MOTOR OIL TYPES

MOTOR OIL TYPES

When your car needs an oil change, it’s important to know which is the right one. So we've made that quicker and easier with our Oil Selector tool.

Motor Engine Oil Types

THE RIGHT OIL CHANGE FOR EVERY CAR

If your car needs an oil change you need to know what motor oil to use, and getting that right is all about liquid engineering. In the case of full synthetic oils, base oils are refined in a way that actually changes their molecular structure.

But whether you choose a conventional or synthetic oil, it's the advanced additives we create in our labs that ensure Castrol® oils meet the exact specifications and ever-greater demands of vehicle manufacturers.

 

The latest European engines are incredibly powerful for their size, and so demand synthetic oils that are thin enough to protect them from the second you start them up and strong enough to withstand the incredible pressures they reach under everyday driving conditions.

Late model Japanese imports require low viscosity, 0W engine oils that improve fuel economy but also have the strength to stand up to 10,000 or even 15,000 mile drain intervals.

 

Even if you drive something all-American from General Motors, if it came off the line after 2009 you're going to need motor oil that matches their dexos1 or dexos2 standards.

Full synthetic

Full synthetic

Many car manufacturers have been recommending full synthetic motor oil for years. Our Liquid Engineers work direct with auto makers to create engine oils that protect warranties as well as engine components. Even if your manufacturer doesn’t insist on it, full synthetic oil is the best protection for almost every car engine.
Synthetic blend

Synthetic blend

Knowing what motor oil to use matters. Semi synthetic engine oils provide a balance between the economy of conventional oil and the strength of full synthetic oil. Leading part synthetic oils include Castrol® GTX® Ultraclean and Castrol® GTX® High Mileage, engineered for cars with over 75,000 miles on the odometer.
Conventional

Conventional

Do you know what engine oil to use? Conventional motor oils are generally less expensive than synthetics and part synthetics, but still offer important protection. Leading conventional oils like Castrol GTX contain additives to reduce engine wear, improve performance and reduce the sludge that can block important oilways.