Choosing the right engine oil is essential for your vehicle’s performance and durability, especially with the multitude of options available in Pakistan. To make this decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 engine oils currently available in the country, ensuring your engine receives the care it deserves.
Different Types of Engine Oils
There are mainly three different types of engine oils available in Pakistan, conventional mineral engine oil, partially synthetic engine oil, and fully synthetic engine oil. Furthermore, these engine oils are completely different, and you need to understand a little more about them before you can choose the correct engine oil for our vehicle.
- Conventional Engine Oil: A lubricating fluid derived solely from refined crude oil, containing additives to enhance performance and protect engine components.
- Partially Synthetic Engine Oil: A blend of conventional and synthetic base oils, augmented with additives to provide improved performance and protection compared to conventional oils.
- Fully Synthetic Engine Oil: An engine lubricant composed entirely of synthesized chemical compounds, formulated to offer superior lubrication, stability, and performance under extreme conditions.
Engine Oil Grade?
Motor oil grades refer to the classification system used to categorize different types of motor oils based on their viscosity and performance characteristics. The most common classification systems used are established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Petroleum Institute (API).
- SAE Viscosity Grades: The SAE viscosity grade is represented by a numerical code such as 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, 25W, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. The “W” stands for “Winter” and indicates the oil’s flow characteristics at lower temperatures. The lower the number preceding the “W,” the better the oil’s cold-start performance. The higher number represents the oil’s viscosity at operating temperatures, with higher numbers indicating thicker oil.
- API Service Categories: The American Petroleum Institute (API) categorizes motor oils based on their performance and quality standards. The API has two main categories:
- S Series (Gasoline Engines): Includes API “S” categories such as SN, SM, SL, SJ, etc., with each subsequent category offering improved performance and protection for gasoline-powered engines.
- C Series (Diesel Engines): Includes API “C” categories such as CJ-4, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, etc., designed specifically for diesel engines, with each category providing enhanced protection against wear, deposits, and other issues common in diesel engines.
Additionally, there are specialty oils like synthetic oils, high-mileage oils, and racing oils that may have specific formulations to cater to particular needs such as extended drain intervals, better protection for older engines, or improved performance under extreme conditions.
When selecting motor oil for your vehicle, it’s essential to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the recommended viscosity grade and API service category for optimal performance and engine protection.
How Do You Choose the Ideal Engine Oil?
Several factors need to be considered when choosing the ideal engine oil for your car and some of them include:
- Viscosity / Grade
- Manufacturer’s Recommendations
- Driving Conditions
- Engine’s Current Health
- Total Mileage Driven
NOTE: This article is compiled for petrol and gasoline engines specifically; diesel engine oil grades are different.
10 Best Engine Oils in Pakistan – 2024
These are some of the best engine oils on the market right now:
1. Liqui Moly High Tech Engine Oil (5W-40)
Liqui Moly High Tech Engine Oil (5W-40) is a new high-quality engine oil that works well all year round in gasoline and diesel engines that don’t have diesel filters. It’s made with advanced base oils and additives using synthesis technology to help decrease oil and fuel use, and to quickly lubricate the engine as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
While it is recommended to use 5W-40 for newer engines, you should consult your car’s manual to find the recommended viscosity of the engine oil. Furthermore, since 5W-40 can be a bit expensive, you may also want to check out Liqui Moly’s Leichtlauf 10W-40 Engine Oil, which is a bit more affordable.
2. Mobil Super Friction Fighter (5W-40)
Mobil Super Friction Fighter (5W-40) offers better protection for your engine, reducing wear by up to 65%. It’s made with a special formula to fight friction, meeting or surpassing the latest industry standards. Here are some of its features: Suitable for most Japanese and Korean petrol engines, it contains a special Friction Fighter Molecule technology for better protection. It also helps improve engine efficiency by reducing Engine Low-Speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and protecting against deposits. Plus, it gives excellent protection during start-up and high temperatures.
You can always look for Mobil Super’s engine oils with different viscosities, like the Mobil 1 Triple Action Power, however, it is always recommended to consult your vehicle’s manual for the correct viscosity or use at least 5W-30 if it’s a new car.
3. Zic X9 / X7 FE
The Zic X9 (5W-40) or X7 FE (5W-20) are two other options for your vehicle and these are some of the best engine oils in Pakistan.
ZIC X9 5W-40 (VHVI TECH) is a fully synthetic engine oil that provides total engine protection that meets and exceeds the toughest and latest standards of European, Japanese, Korean, and U.S. car builders. Meanwhile, the ZIC X7 FE 5W-20 (VHVI TECH) is a 100% synthetic engine oil engineered to deliver outstanding engine protection and offers improved fuel economy in vehicles.
You may also look at other options, such as the SAW 5W-30 from the company, but make sure to use the correct viscosity based on your manufacturer’s specifications.
4. Meguin Ultra Performance Longlife (5W-40)
This motor oil is made from modern synthetic oils that help reduce friction in your engine. It’s designed with the right mix of additives to stop deposits from forming, lessen friction, and shield against wear. This means you’ll save fuel, and your engine will last longer. It works well for cars with gasoline and diesel engines (without diesel particulate filters), whether they have turbochargers or not.
You may also look into Meguin’s Syntech Premium (10W-40), which is another top-quality engine oil by the company.
5. Castrol Magnatec Fuel Saver (5W-30)
Castrol MAGNATEC engine oil, which features DualLOCK technology, protects engines from wear and tear brought on by frequent stops and starts in traffic. It is designed for city driving. According to the company’s testing, the unique molecule in DUALOCK helps provide 50% more protection against wear when the engine warms up and when it starts again.
6. KIXX G1 SP (5W-30)
Kixx G1 is made from special VHVI base oils, strong additives, and a top-notch viscosity index improver, meeting the standards of today’s best engine oils like API SP. It’s designed to give your engine the best performance, making it last longer and use less fuel by protecting it from wear and reducing friction. Plus, it helps prevent timing chain wear and LSPI, which are important for modern cars.
7. Havoline Pro DS 5W-40 or 5W-30
Havoline ProDS Fully Synthetic ECO SAE 5W-40 with Deposit Shield Technology is made using the newest fully synthetic oils and advanced additives like special antioxidants and friction reducers to offer great protection and performance. It does an excellent job of controlling volatility and preventing oxidation in addition to being effective at defending against heat, pressure, corrosion, and wear. It satisfies or exceeds API SP requirements.
Features
- Helps prevent sludge, varnish, and deposits from building up to keep engines cleaner and more efficient for longer.
- Offers excellent protection against wear and corrosion, ensuring engines and turbochargers last longer.
- Helps prevent Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) in turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, protecting vital engine components.
- Ensures exceptional cleanliness protection for turbochargers.
- Reduces oil loss due to evaporation at high temperatures, outperforming conventional and part-synthetic motor oils.
- Controls degradation effectively, allowing for longer intervals between oil changes as recommended by automakers.
8. Shell Helix HX7 Plus (5W-30)
The Shell Helix HX7 is included on the list of 10 best engine oils in Pakistan since it is a fully synthetic motor oil designed to maintain engine cleanliness and efficiency. It’s specially engineered for modern turbocharged engines, featuring Flexi molecule technology that adapts to varying engine conditions to provide optimal protection. By safeguarding against wear, even during daily commutes in traffic, it helps prolong engine life. With its low viscosity and friction characteristics, it enhances fuel economy. Additionally, it offers protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) in direct injection turbocharged gasoline engines, ensuring comprehensive engine care and performance.
9. Total Quartz 9000 Future FG (5W-30)
This advanced synthetic engine oil provides top-notch protection against wear and buildup. It’s low in phosphorus, so it keeps post-treatment systems safe for a long time. By reducing internal friction, it ensures full power while saving fuel. Plus, it protects pollution-control systems by optimizing the way catalytic converters work, cutting down on harmful emissions. It’s great for engine cleanliness and protection from the moment you start your engine. And, it makes cold starts easier, even in chilly weather, thanks to special additives.
10. Valvoline SynPower 5W-40
SynPower™ 5W-40 is a complete synthetic engine oil designed to provide top-notch protection and performance for everyday driving and tough situations. It’s made for modern engines that face regular and demanding driving conditions like city traffic or long highway trips. This oil works well for both regular and turbocharged petrol engines, and some passenger diesel engines too.
Recommendation
It is always advised that you consult your vehicle’s manual to check the recommended viscosity/grade of engine oil and make an educated decision based on that information. Furthermore, do not take recommendations from oil shops, as it is their job to sell you engine oils with the best profit margins or get rid of old stocks.
While there are some good oil change shops in the market, the majority simply misguide people, so it is your responsibility to check your vehicle’s specifications and get the proper oil based on the available information in the vehicle’s manual.
There’s a myth about changing the oil every 5000 kilometers in Pakistan, although engine oils are not designed to be measured in kilometers. Due to dust and dirt in the environment, it is recommended to replace the oil as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the lubricant manufacturing companies claim at least 10,000 kilometers or six months.
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