How Choosing the Right Motor Oil Impacts Fuel Efficiency in Luxury Vehicles

Choosing the correct motor oil can help your car’s engine reach the limit of its performance and achieve the best fuel economy. Drivers sometimes find it hard to decide which oil to choose since there are various brands and types. Our experts here at Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, have some helpful tips to assist you with selecting engine oil for your car or crossover. If you need to schedule an oil change in Oklahoma City, feel free to drop by our Lexus service center.

Why Is Choosing the Correct Engine Oil Important?

Motor oil plays the critical role of lubricating your engine’s moving parts. If your oil is doing its job properly, it should reduce friction to a minimum and improve your engine’s efficiency. Less friction between the components means they need less energy to power your engine, which in turn means the engine requires less fuel to power your vehicle.

Some engine oils perform the task of lubricating engines better than others, and the most effective oil can vary depending on the type of vehicle you drive. There are two main things to consider when choosing the best engine oil for your vehicle: its viscosity and oil type. Viscosity describes the thickness of the oil. Oils with lower viscosities are thinner, which helps them to flow more easily around an engine’s parts. However, some heavy-duty vehicles require thicker oils to withstand the engine’s power.

There are three main types of oil you’ll typically need to consider: conventional, synthetic, and synthetic blend. Each oil is suitable for a particular type of vehicle, which is why some manufacturers may recommend a specific oil type for your vehicle’s engine. A good place to look for advice about which motor oil to choose is your owner’s manual.

What Is the Best Engine Oil for High-Performance Vehicles?

High-performance vehicles, like the Lexus RX crossover or LC sports car, usually benefit from synthetic motor oil. Synthetic oils can withstand the extra strain created by powerful engines, such as a turbocharged four-cylinder or a massive V-8. This type of oil is also generally more long-lasting, ensuring extra protection for your engine’s components and ongoing strong fuel economy.

Conventional motor oil is better suited to mainstream sedans and crossovers, which often have smaller engines under their hoods with less power. Standard motor oils are more than capable of lubricating these engines. In fact, some engines designed for the daily commute or city driving prefer the higher viscosity typically found in standard engine oils. Another advantage for drivers who can use standard motor oil is that it’s cheaper to buy than a synthetic version.

Drivers of trucks and other vehicles with large engines often use synthetic blends. The advantage of a synthetic blend is that it combines some of the benefits of synthetic oils, such as durability, with a lower price tag. Large truck engines may also benefit from a touch more resistance from a synthetic blend with a slightly higher viscosity than a typical synthetic oil may have.

Why Are Regular Oil Changes Necessary?

In addition to choosing the best type of engine oil, it’s just as important to make sure you change your vehicle’s oil regularly. Motor oil deteriorates over time because dirt and debris can contaminate it, and the oil can break down as it works to keep the engine lubricated.

As your car’s motor oil gets older, it will prove less effective at reducing the friction in the engine and maintaining its high performance. Failing to replace it regularly enough can also lead to sludge building up on your engine’s components, which can increase friction and reduce efficiency.

A typical recommendation for an oil change is every 5,000 miles of driving, or approximately two to three times each year. However, synthetic oils are longer lasting, so you may not need to replace your oil as often. Some synthetic oils can last 7,500 miles of driving before they need changing. If you’re unsure when your car’s oil change is due, consult your Lexus owner’s manual to learn how often it recommends an oil change, or talk to one of our Lexus vehicle experts to get their advice.

Why Choose Eskridge Lexus for Your Motor Oil Change?

If you want to leave your car’s oil change to a professional service team, we recommend that you stop by our Lexus service center in Oklahoma City. We handle oil changes for Lexus performance vehicles, such as the IS 500 and RC F, on a daily basis, so we’ll have you back on the road in no time.

We’ll start by draining and safely disposing of your car’s old motor oil. Then, we’ll replace the oil filter to ensure the new oil gets a fresh start. One of our technicians will then fill the engine with a high-performing synthetic oil so you can get the best out of your Lexus.

Before you make an appointment for an oil change at our service center, don’t forget to take a look at our service and parts specials page. That’s where you’ll find our discounts and other incentives for car maintenance and components, including deals on buying oil and oil changes.

Once you arrive at our service center, we can perform other important maintenance tasks as well, including tire rotations, fluid top-ups, and brake inspections. We’ll also conduct a multi-point inspection of your vehicle to check that everything’s in good working order and no preventive maintenance is needed.

We’d be happy to provide you with further advice about your Lexus’s motor oil or help you find the type of oil you want at our well-stocked parts center. If you want to find out more about how we can help, don’t hesitate to contact our team today. Whether you choose to give us a call, write an online message, or stop by our Oklahoma City dealership, you’ll find a dedicated team of auto professionals ready to help you choose the best motor oil for your car.

Lexus RX 350 2014 by RL GNZLZ is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0