Magazine
Motor oil: expensive or cheap , what really counts
Premium brand or own-brand? With motor oil it is not the label that decides, but a number in your owner’s manual. We clear up the myths.
The myths
The one rule
Approval beats brand
What matters is whether the oil meets your engine’s approval (specification), e.g. VW 504 00 or MB 229.5, plus the ACEA and API standards. These are in the owner’s manual.
An oil with the right approval is correct, whether expensive or cheap. The brand is secondary.
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Motoröl 5W-30
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Three common myths
- „Expensive is always better“: expensive brand oils and cheap own-brands with the same approval are technically equivalent, often from the same refineries.
- „Additives from a can never hurt“: good oil is already balanced-additivated. Third-party additives can upset the balance; some makers warn against them.
- „Thicker oil lubricates better“: changing the viscosity on your own can cause harm. The manufacturer spec applies (e.g. 5W-30).
Said honestly
You save most safely by not paying for the image but checking the approval, and changing the oil at the prescribed interval. The most effective „care product“ is fresh, matching oil, not the most expensive additive. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Motor oil , Wikipedia