Why is it so important to choose the best oil?
Regularly changing your car’s motor oil and ensuring that you are using the best quality oil for your car is crucial in keeping your engine running smoothly and preventing damage. Motor oil lubricates the internal parts of the engine, preventing the moving parts from grinding against each other and causing damage, and also helps keep the engine cool by preventing overheating.
If the oil is not changed frequently, dirt, grime, and sludge can accumulate inside the engine bay, causing the moving parts to grind against each other and leading to serious damage. Impure and dirty oil can also cause damage and potentially require engine replacement in the future. Some oils contain additives, such as detergents and antioxidants, that help maintain the cleanliness of high-temperature surfaces, prevent oxidation, and keep the engine oil from thickening.
Choosing the right motor oil for your car can be challenging, but in this page, we’ll provide you with a list of the top 10 motor oil brands and products to ensure that you are using the best oil for your engine’s needs
Top 10 Motor Oil Brands
Castrol
Castrol is one of the oldest brands of motor oil, having been founded in 1899 and entering the Great Britain market in 1909. Now owned by BP and based in the UK, Castrol has a wealth of expertise and offers a wide range of oils, with a focus on full synthetic or synthetic blend oil. Castrol has extensive experience with high-performance automobiles and has been involved with NASCAR and F1 for many years. As a result, Castrol is a trusted name in the automotive industry and a popular choice for those seeking high-quality motor oil.
Liqui Moly
Liqui Moly GmbH is a leading German company that specializes in producing high-quality oils, lubricants, and additives. With over 4,000 products available, Liqui Moly offers solutions for cars, motorcycles, ships, and industrial machinery worldwide. Their products are renowned for their exceptional performance and have earned them a reputation as a trusted name in the industry. Whether you're in need of oil, lubricants, or additives, Liqui Moly has a wide range of products to suit your needs.
Mobil
Mobil has a long-standing reputation as an innovator of synthetic motor oil, and this legacy continues to the present day with their Mobil 1 range of products. Their full synthetic motor oils are designed to keep engines in excellent condition for up to 250,000 miles, and they offer products for everything from high-performance sports cars to older vehicles. Mobil's commitment to innovation and quality has earned them a loyal customer base and a reputation as a top manufacturer of motor oil products. Whether you're driving a high-performance vehicle or an older car, Mobil has a range of products to help keep your engine running smoothly.
Shell
While Shell is commonly known as an oil and gas provider, they also produce and distribute a range of high-quality lubricants, including motor oil. With a market-leading range of lubricants, Shell delivers its products to consumers in over 100 countries worldwide. In fact, in 2013, Shell was rated as the world's number one global lubricant supplier, reflecting their commitment to quality and innovation in the industry. As a trusted name in the automotive world, Shell is a popular choice for those seeking high-quality motor oil and lubricants.
Motul
Motul is a globally-operating French company that specializes in developing lubricants for both the automotive and other industries. With a strong reputation for innovation in the motor oil industry, Motul was the first company to produce a semi-synthetic oil in 1966, followed by the first fully synthetic oil in 1971. These groundbreaking achievements have established Motul as a leading producer of high-quality motor oils and lubricants. Whether you're a professional mechanic or an enthusiast, Motul's range of innovative products can help keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Elf
Elf, formerly owned by the French government, became a private company in 1994. After merging with Total, it is now the fourth largest oil company in the world and an expert in lubricants. Elf has a reputation for producing high-quality lubricants, including its latest products, such as Fuel Economy Lubricants and Low SAPS lubricants designed for modern engines. These innovative lubricants have been developed to meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry and to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions. With a strong commitment to innovation and quality, Elf remains a trusted name in the lubricants industry.
Valvoline Oil
Valvoline, a company that has been around since 1866, has a rich history that few people are aware of. While almost everyone has heard of the Model T car, few know that Valvoline was the oil that was used in some of those early automobiles. Originally designing lubricants for steam engines, Valvoline has a long history of producing high-quality oils and lubricants that have helped keep engines running smoothly for over a century. As a trusted name in the industry, Valvoline continues to innovate and develop new products to meet the changing needs of the automotive world.
Ravenol
This German lubricant producer has a strong focus on synthetic lubricants that are created through industrial processes, and they take pride in their commitment to technical innovation. With a passion for developing high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry, this company has become a trusted name in the lubricants industry. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and advanced manufacturing processes, they are able to produce synthetic lubricants that offer superior performance and protection for engines and other critical components. Whether you're driving a high-performance sports car or a family sedan, this company's range of synthetic lubricants can help keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Comma Oil
Comma Oil is a Brazilian company that focuses exclusively on producing high-quality lubricants and oils for vehicles, including passenger and commercial vehicles. With a strong commitment to technical innovation and ongoing training, Comma Oil is dedicated to producing products that are suitable for all seasons and engine types. Whether you're driving a car or a truck, Comma Oil's range of lubricants can help protect your engine and keep it running smoothly. Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, making it a trusted name in the automotive industry.
Fuchs
Fuchs is a leading global company with German roots that has been developing, producing, and selling high-quality lubricants and related products for the past 85 years. With a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Fuchs offers a comprehensive range of lubricants for a wide range of applications and industries, from automobiles to industrial applications and beyond. With 62 bases and more than 5,600 employees worldwide, Fuchs is one of the largest and most respected independent suppliers of lubricants, offering customers the highest levels of quality, reliability, and performance. With a commitment to innovation, customer service, and technical expertise, Fuchs continues to set the standard for excellence in the lubricants industry.
Best Motor Oils in 2023
Castrol Edge Professional, Longlife III
Note: Prices may vary depending on the store and location. Please check with individual stores for current pricing information.
Castrol Edge is a premium synthetic motor oil that is specifically designed to provide exceptional performance and reliability for both diesel and petrol engines. With its advanced formula, Castrol Edge delivers excellent protection and performance in even the harshest conditions, including subzero temperatures. It is highly resistant to oxidation, which means it can last the entire service life of your engine, providing exceptional protection and performance for years to come. Whether you’re driving a high-performance sports car or a family sedan, Castrol Edge can help you get the most out of your engine and keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently.
MOBIL 1, ESP 151057 Engine Oil
Mobil 1 ESP is a premium synthetic motor oil that is highly compatible with most vehicles, whether diesel or gasoline. With a viscosity SAE of 50W-30, Mobil 1 ESP is engineered to provide excellent cleaning power and to prevent wear to the engine, helping to extend the life of your vehicle’s engine. Its advanced formula is designed to deliver exceptional performance and protection, even in extreme temperatures and harsh driving conditions. Whether you’re driving a high-performance sports car or a family sedan, Mobil 1 ESP can help you get the most out of your engine and keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently for years to come.
Shell Helix HX7 5W-30
Shell’s synthetic motor oil is designed to meet the demanding requirements of high-performance engines, including those manufactured by Ford, as well as engines requiring API SJ, ILSAC GF-2, or ACEA A1/B1 specifications. With its advanced formula, this synthetic oil provides exceptional protection and performance, even in the most extreme conditions. It is engineered to provide superior cleaning power and to prevent wear to the engine, helping to extend the life of your vehicle’s engine. Whether you’re driving a high-performance sports car or a family sedan, Shell’s synthetic motor oil can help you get the most out of your engine and keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently.
Comma XTech 5W-30
This fully synthetic, high-performance oil is specifically designed for use in Ford DuraTec, DuraTorq, or Zetec vehicles, and offers all the fuel economy benefits of an ACEA A5/B5 oil. It is suitable for use in both diesel and petrol engines, as well as in fuel-injected, multivalved, and turbocharged engines. With its advanced formula, this synthetic oil provides exceptional protection and performance, helping to prevent wear to the engine and extend the life of your vehicle. It is also highly resistant to oxidation and can provide superior cleaning power, helping to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently. Whether you’re driving a high-performance sports car or a family sedan, this synthetic oil can help you get the most out of your engine and keep your vehicle running at its best.
Valvoline synpower 5W-30
SynPower 5W-30 is a high-quality full synthetic engine oil that uses a unique combination of premium synthetic base stocks and advanced additive technology. This low viscosity oil is specifically designed to meet the needs of modern petrol engines, delivering optimal performance and reliability. With its superior formulation, SynPower 5W-30 meets the strict ILSAC GF-5 fuel efficiency specification and the GM dexos1™ GEN 2 specification, ensuring that your engine receives the best possible protection and performance.
Most Common Engine Oil Questions
Synthetic oil is designed to perform better and last longer than conventional oil. It is better at resisting heat, improving fuel efficiency, and helping your engine run more smoothly. It is usually more expensive, but most modern cars require synthetic oil.
This depends on your car and the type of oil you use. A good rule of thumb is every 8,000 kilometers for conventional oil and every 12,000-16,000 kilometers for synthetic oil. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations.
Yes, you can switch between synthetic and conventional oil without damaging your engine. However, once your car has been running on synthetic oil, it’s best to stick with it.
The weight of motor oil, such as 10W-30, refers to its viscosity, or thickness. The first number (with the W for ‘winter’) refers to the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures, while the second number refers to its viscosity at high temperatures.
Some signs include the oil appearing dark and dirty, your engine making more noise than usual, the check engine or oil change light coming on, and your oil level dropping faster than usual.