Montpelier & Barre VT Oil Change: Choosing the Right Motor Oil for Your Vehicle

Why Using the Correct Viscosity Motor Oil Matters for Your Vehicle

How important is the correct viscosity motor oil for your vehicle?  Can I use conventional oil when my vehicle calls for a blended oil or a synthetic oil? Looking for oil change services in Barre - Montpelier Vermont area? Let our team at Central Vermont Auto Mart try review the most important reasons for using the correct motor oil for your vehicle.

🛢️ Why Viscosity Matters

Choosing the right viscosity motor oil is crucial for the health and longevity of your engine. Viscosity refers to the oil's resistance to flow, and it directly impacts how well your engine is lubricated, protected, and performs under various conditions.  Your vehicle manufacturers' engineers understand the amount of oil and the viscosity necessary to keep today's modern engines running efficiently.  Today there are dozens of choices in motor oils being specified by various manufacturers and they have put a lot of research into specifying the correct oil for your vehicle.

🛠️ Engine Longevity

Using the correct viscosity motor oil helps maintain proper lubrication throughout your engine. Insufficient lubrication, often caused by using the wrong viscosity oil, can lead to increased friction, heat, and wear on engine components. Over time, this can result in costly repairs and even engine failure. By using the recommended viscosity oil, you ensure that all engine parts are adequately lubricated, extending the life of your vehicle's engine.  

⛽ Maximizing Gas Mileage

Properly lubricated engine parts experience less friction, which means your engine doesn't have to work as hard to create horsepower and torque to the wheels. This translates to improved fuel efficiency and better gas mileage. Using the correct viscosity motor oil helps optimize engine performance, saving you money at the pump and reducing your environmental impact by using less gas.

🚗💨 Maintaining Engine Performance

Different engines have specific requirements for viscosity based on factors such as operating temperature, engine design, and manufacturer recommendations. Using the wrong viscosity oil can negatively impact engine performance, leading to reduced power, rough idling, and increased emissions. By adhering to the manufacturer's recommendations and using the correct viscosity motor oil, you ensure that your engine operates at its best, delivering the performance you expect.  Tolerances are much tighter in today's high revving powerplants.  Conventional motor oils will not provide the needed lubricant.  We have had customers who have tried to save money with a low-price conventional motor oil when their vehicle called for synthetic motor oil.  Will the wrong type of oil damage your car?  Normally the wrong motor oil will not damage your vehicle immediately but over time you will cause excess wear to the engine resulting in a shorter engine life.  You may have problems with cylinder deactivation systems, resulting in lower gas mileage.
Quick tips for keeping your car maintenance up to date from Central Vermont Auto Mart in Montpelier, Vermont. 
Quick Tip for DIY Oil Changers:
Don't assume your engine takes 5 quarts-today's vehicles vary widely in oil capacity. For example, the 5.7L HEMI from Dodge needs about 6.9 quarts, while a Mercedes-Benz SL 550 takes a hefty 9 quarts. Always check your owner's manual to avoid underfilling or overfilling!
With so many different engine designs on the road today, it's no surprise that the choices for motor oil can feel overwhelming. You'll see labels like 5W-20, 10W-30, or even 0W-40-but what do they really mean? The numbers refer to the oil's viscosity, or thickness, at different temperatures. The first number (such as the "5W") represents how the oil flows in cold weather, with the "W" standing for "winter." The second number (like the "30" in 5W-30) refers to how the oil behaves at normal engine operating temperatures. While single-grade oils like 10W were once common, most modern engines require multi-grade oils that adapt to temperature changes for better protection. According to SAE classifications, there are 11 base oil grades-and when you consider the wide variety of multi-grade formulas, the number of choices can easily exceed two dozen. That's why it's critical to use the exact oil grade and formulation your manufacturer recommends. Not only does it help your engine perform at its peak, but using the wrong oil can result in excessive wear, reduced efficiency, and even voided warranty claims if the incorrect oil was used.

🚗 Not sure what kind of oil your car needs?

We can help! At Central Vermont Auto Mart in Montpelier, Vermont, we understand the importance of using the correct viscosity motor oil for your vehicle. Our experienced service staff is available five days a week, Monday through Friday, to perform oil changes using the right oils for today's vehicles. Whether you need a routine oil change or have questions about maintaining your vehicle's engine health, our team is here to help. 

🧰 We are here to help

Don't compromise on the health and performance of your vehicle. Trust Central Vermont Auto Mart for all your oil change needs and keep your engine running smoothly for miles to come. Schedule your appointment today and experience the difference of using a local family-owned dealership for all your routine maintenance needs.  You can rest easy knowing your vehicle's oil change was done right and the waste oil was recycled properly. 

Schedule your professional oil change today at Central Vermont Auto Mart in Montpelier, VT. Our expert technicians are ready to assist you!
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calendar logo Published 2024
      Updated April 12, 2025