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Engine oil, straight up

What oil does your engine take?

Match the right grade, pick between synthetic and conventional, and know what every leak and warning light actually means.

Or start with a grade
0W-20 5W-20 5W-30 5W-40 10W-40 15W-40

Where to start

4 sections · 18,312 answers
01⚠️

Maintenance

Leaks, burning oil, dirty filters, warning signs and how to stay ahead of them.

Open the guide → 02🛢️

Choosing Oil

Synthetic vs conventional, high-mileage, and which grade your car calls for.

Open the guide → 03🔧

Oil Change

Step-by-step, intervals, tools, and how much oil your engine needs.

Open the guide → 04🏷️

Prices

What an oil change costs, where it is cheapest, and quart-vs-jug math.

Open the guide →

The grade chart

The number on the jug, in plain English

Most "what oil?" questions are really grade questions. Here is what the common ones are built for.

0W-20

Newer engines, cold climates. Thinnest flow for fast starts and fuel economy.

5W-30

The all-rounder. The most common spec in North America.

5W-40

Performance & diesel. Holds thicker when hot — turbos and towing.

10W-40

Older or high-mileage. Extra hot-viscosity cushion for worn engines.

By brand

Specs & approvals differ
Castrol5W-20 review PennzoilUltra Platinum Valvoline5W-30 review O'Reillywho makes it Wixfilters review Purolatorfilter lookup FRAMCivic fitment Marvel Mysteryadditive facts

Start with these

Reader picks
01

Motor oil, explained: what it does and how to choose it

Explainer→ 02

Viscosity grades: what 5W-30 actually means

Explainer→ 03

How often you really need an oil change

Oil Change→ 04

Which oil does a 2008 Honda Civic take?

Choosing Oil→ 05

Why is your car burning so much oil?

Maintenance→ 06

Oil and filter change cost: real prices

Prices→

Our standard

Right grade, right car — or it is just noise.

Oil advice is worthless if it ignores your engine's spec. Everything here anchors to what the manufacturer actually calls for.

01

Anchored to OEM specs

Grades and approvals trace to owner's-manual requirements and standards like API and ILSAC.

02

Myths flagged

The 3,000-mile rule and "thicker is better" get called out where they show up, with the reasoning.

03

Honest limits

If a guide and your manual disagree, the manual wins — and we say so. Read the editorial policy.

Straight talk on engine oil — grades, brands, and what your car actually needs.

Sections
Oil ChangeChoosing OilMaintenancePrices
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