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Seasons and climate can affect what type of motor oil you should use for your car. This holds true, especially in the summer season. You also have to take into account the type of vehicle you own. Let’s take a look at the best motor oil for hot weather.
Our Top Motor Oil for Hot Weather Reviews
Firstly, you don’t have to pick out the best one on this list. What matters more is that the motor oil you choose is compatible with your vehicle. If you force to use incompatible motor oil to your vehicle, you may end up with damages.
Below are some of the best motor oil for hot weather that will keep your engine healthy and working in good condition even in the hot summer months.
Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil
Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil is one of the most reliable motor oils you can use for hot weather. Although it’s a bit more expensive than the other motor oils on this list, you’ll notice the difference in performance when you use this.
Even though this motor oil is slightly expensive, its effectiveness on your engine will definitely be worth it. This oil is designed for effective lubrication on your engine parts.
This oil flows faster even when it’s exposed to low temperatures. This means it will work with no problem when under hotter temperatures.
What’s really impressive about this motor oil is that it retains its viscosity even after running for miles. It covers more mileage compared to Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil. It also takes a long time to change color or decrease its effectiveness.
It also does a great job at preventing any sludge build-up on your car’s valves. It can preserve your engine parts for a very long time. The motor oil is also pretty easy to use too and all you need is a good oil filter.
The only downside about this product is it’s priced a bit more than its competitors. This motor oil can be used for 15,000 miles before requiring to change according to the manufacturer.
Overall, you can’t ask for more when it comes to effectiveness. The Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil will serve you well.
Pros
- Easily withstands high and low temperatures
- Does a great job at retaining viscosity even after many miles
- Is usable for 15,000 miles before needing to change
Cons
- Not ideal for both diesel and gasoline engines
- Slightly more expensive from its competition
Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE Motor Oil
The Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE Motor Oil is one of the most popular motor oils around and for good reasons. This motor oil is compatible with both conventional and other synthetic oils. Therefore, you sometimes don’t need to drain the current oil in your engine.
Conventional oils oftentimes leave deposits that can affect the engine to be clean and healthy. Unlike conventional oils, Valvoline Advanced synthetic motor oil comes with cleaning agents that prevent any formation of sludge and eliminate all deposits.
Synthetic oil is also better at minimizing metal-to-metal contact that wastes a lot of energy from your engine. Hence, why all of our motor oil on this list are all synthetic oil.
Valvoline Advanced synthetic oil also has the best thermal properties among the motor oils on this list. It will provide optimal protection even under extreme weather conditions.
This motor oil is added with quality detergents and antioxidants. It helps ensure that the engine is well-cleaned and will have optimal performance.
It also is API-certified, going over the quality requirements standard. Hence, why this motor oil is popular among car owners.
Valvoline Advanced synthetic oil also has stable shear stability and oxidation resistance stopping any formation of acids in the engine.
Overall, this is the best motor oil you can get for the hot weather. It’s also available in different configurations of motor oil.
Pros
- Standard color makes it easy to notice when it gets dirty
- Cost-effective because it covers more miles before needing to drain the oil
- Additives added to this oil makes your engine more responsive
Cons
- Not great for vintage vehicles
- Some buyers reported getting leakage in their products
Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Motor Oil
If you’re looking for something affordable, then the Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Motor Oil will do you wonders. This motor oil comes with additives that will enhance the performance of your vehicle.
Like all the other motor oils on this list, Castrol GTX reduces engine wear and lengthen the engine’s usage. It has frictional additives added that reduces the friction between engine parts. It ensures the engine parts won’t wear out faster.
Synthetic oil saves you more funds than conventional motor oils in the long run and Castrol GTX is no exception. Castrol GTX does a great job at keeping the engine cool and makes it consume less fuel.
What sets Castrol GTX apart from other motor oils on this list is its formulation. The oil molecules are specifically created to attach to critical engine parts to reduce wear and tear. Although, most motor oils do prevent wear and tear, Castrol GTX does it differently and slightly better.
These oil molecules also help form an additional protective layer that will protect your vehicle in start-up and warming up period.
With proper use, the Castrol GTX can last up to 6,000 miles according to the manufacturer. This will at least let you drain the oil twice a year. The draining period depends on your driving routine and habits, so you may need to do it more than twice a year.
Overall, this is a great cost-effective motor oil for hot weather because of its protective layering.
Pros
- Protective layering reduces wear and tear on engine parts
- Makes your engine run with less noise on start-up
- Special formulated oil molecules that clings to engine parts even when it’s idle
Cons
- Some people claim that the oil is not fully synthetic
- Cars older than 1990 may not run well with this oil
Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil
The Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Oil is an environment-friendly motor oil because of its properties that prevent soot formation even in hot weather. It also features triple protection plus formula. It contains advanced additives that protect your engine.
Just like the Castrol GTX, the Shell Rotella T6 contains molecules that form a protective coating around the engine parts. It also ensures that there is no friction to prevent wear and tear on engine parts.
What’s more, it works even when the engine is idle. This is really helpful in hot weather, where the insides of your vehicle can have high temperatures. You won’t have to worry about wear and tear during start-up.
Shell Rotella T6 also has shear stability that helps it resists change in viscosity. This is extremely useful for diesel engines. Some diesel engines operate under a lot of pressure so having motor oil that doesn’t lose viscosity keeps it secured at all times.
Heavy-duty diesel engines produce a lot of heat and add that to hot weather, and you’ll have your motor oil break down at a faster pace.
Thankfully, the Shell Rotella T6 also has superior thermal properties much like every motor oil on this list. It doesn’t break down under high temperatures even in hot weather.
Overall, if you’re looking for something that is environment-friendly and doesn’t compromise effectiveness, the Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil is the best choice.
Pros
- Excellent for diesel engines since it can manage heat well
- Environment-friendly properties prevent soot formation
- Doesn’t lose viscosity easily
Cons
- Some buyers reported bad packaging
- Have better alternatives at its pricing, only great for diesel engines
Features to Consider for Hot Weather Motor Oil
Since you’re looking for motor oil that will work in hot weather, there are specific features that you will need it to have. Below are the features that motor oils should have for hot weather.
| Product | Package Information | Viscosity | Liquid Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil | Bottle | 0w-20, 10w-30, 5w-205w-30, 0w-40, 15w-50 | 160 fluid ounces |
| Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil | Bottle | 0w-16, 0w-20, 10w-30, 5w-20, 5w-30 | 5 quarts |
| Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Motor Oil | Jug | 5w-30, 5w-20 | 160 fluid ounces |
| Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil | Bottle | 5w40 | 128 fluid ounces |
Mileage and Pricing
Pricing is also important in motor oils. You want the right value for the mileage it can give your car. They are usually synthetic oil that is low in cost while servicing your car for a lot of mileage. These synthetic oils usually contain additives and a good filter.
If you’re looking for the best value, then the Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE Motor Oil might be your best option. It covers a lot of mileage and saves you more from changing/draining oil.
Additives and Features
Additives are ingredients added to the motor oil to add features or improve their effectiveness. Most synthetic motor oils contain additives to enhance their viscosity. It will help with cleaning and prolonging the usage of your engine.
All of the motor oils on this list contain additives. However, if we were to pick which motor oil has the best combination of additives, it would be the Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil. This oil is environment-friendly and contains additives for heat resistance and viscosity.
Viscosity Retainment
Viscosity is the resistance of oil to flow or the thickness of the motor oil. Generally, motor oil thickens under cool temperatures and thins when subjected to hot temperatures. Therefore, you should find motor oil that can maintain its viscosity even under extreme temperatures.
For hot weather, you want the motor oil to particularly retain its viscosity in high temperatures. You don’t want your engine to work harder because the motor oil can’t provide enough lubrication.
For that, the Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil has the best properties for retaining its viscosity. It maintains its viscosity so well that it can last for a lot of mileage. Your car should run at least 15,000 miles before needing to change the oil.
Compatibility with Vehicles
Make sure that the oil you will use is compatible with your car. No matter how good the motor oil is, if it’s not compatible with your car, it will only add to its wear and tear. Check what type of oil your car can use to avoid possible problems like oil leak and cleaning leak will get you stains to your clothes. If this happens, consider cleaning your clothes by using laundry degreaser to remove oil and other stains.
Synthetic oil is generally compatible with cars made in the year 2000 and to the present. Older cars require traditional motor oil and won’t be compatible with synthetic oil so don’t attempt it.
Since all of the motor oil on this list are synthetic oil, it isn’t recommended to use it on older cars. What’s great about the motor oils on this list is that they are available in different configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Oil to Use in the Summer?
In general, the motor oil that offers the best protection in the summer is a thicker grade of oil. A general option for this is the 10w30.
Engine’s need a thicker type of oil in the summer months. Heat usually thins the oil out so you need a thicker oil that can resist this.
Is 5w30 Good for Hot Climate?
5w30 motor oils are generally used in a wide variety of engines and can be used even in temperatures as low as -30ºC. 5w30 generally are versatile to use in hot and cool climates which is ideal for motor oil.
In fact, the 5w30 is the most commonly used motor oil on the market because it is suitable for different ranges of temperature.
Is 10w40 Good for Summer?
10w40 motor oils generally contain properties that resist thermal breakdown and reduce deposit formation. Because of that, 10w40 are generally good for summer use and even work well in the winter cold.
Is 5w20 Oil Good for Hot Weather?
5w20 motor oil feels like water compared to the 5w30. They are better suited for cold temperatures and not for hot weather. We recommend not using it at all for your engine in hot weather.
Conclusion
These are the best motor oil you can use for hot weather. They contain properties that make them effective even when under hot temperatures. You need the supporting oil flow within the fuel injectors. Make sure that the motor oil you use is compatible with your vehicle to ensure it works effectively. Moreover, considering best fit batteries for diesel engine is also important.