Choosing the Right Engine Oil

Choosing the Right Engine Oil: "If you want to own and properly maintain a vehicle, at some point you'll have to figure out what kind of oil your car takes. Whether you're at a service center being asked what kind of oil you want or at a parts store shopping for oil to top off the engine, you'll want to know what's recommended.

The owner's manual gives all the information necessary to put the right viscosity oil — 10W-30, 5W-30, etc. — into your car. Most will have a temperature chart showing which conditions are best for different viscosities. It's also common to see the recommended oil printed on the oil cap under the hood.

In the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse owner's manual, for example, Chevrolet recommends using 5W-30 in virtually all climates, except extreme cold. When temperatures drop below negative -20 degrees Fahrenheit, however, Chevrolet recommends either switching to synthetic 5W-30 oil or going to a 0W-30 viscosity to better handle the extreme temperature."