Leading mechanic Scotty Kilmer has issued a simple warning to petrol and diesel owners as he disciples a common myth which confuses many road users.
Scotty has highlighted owners of modern vehicles do not need to change the type of oil they use throughout the year.
The expert warned motorists used to switch to a thinner oil as temperatures fell but this was no longer needed.
Instead, Scotty highlighted that modern oils were built to last meaning vehicle owners could keep one bottle and use it across the whole 12-month calendar.
He claimed road users who were making a concerted effort to switch their oil in newer vehicles were simply “wasting their money”.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Scotty claimed: “Today I’m going to dispel the myth of having to use thinner oil in the winter than you use in the summer in your car’s engine.
“Long before the Celica existed we would put thinner oil in the winter than we use in the summer so it would flow better in cold weather.
“But modern cars for decades use light enough oil, this one uses a 5W-30. It flows perfectly fine in cold weather, some modern cars even use like a 0W-10 oil.
“Just realise full synthetic oil follows better in cold weather and interestingly enough it also works better at high temperature.
“So it works at both extremes, you use the same oil all year round. So don’t waste your money on two different oils, during the year, You only need one.”
The RAC has warned viscosity is still an “important factor” when selecting which engine oil to purchase.
They reveal that the viscosity of motor oil is measured using two numbers. The first digits are the viscosity at cold temperatures with the lower numbers suggesting a better flow.
Meanwhile, the second value is the viscosity at hot temperatures with the higher numbers indicating a better flow.
The RAC has also highlighted the potential consequences of getting the wrong oil for a particular vehicle.
They explained: “It is important to select the right viscosity of motor oil for your vehicle. If the oil is too thick, it will not flow quickly enough to lubricate the engine properly.
“However, if the oil is too thin, it will not provide enough protection against wear and tear. The owner’s manual for your vehicle will specify the recommended viscosity of motor oil for your engine.”
