What type of engine oil can I use in my cars?

Hello Paul, I own an old Toyota Corona (1993) with a 1.8 litre petrol engine and 160,000 kilometres on the clock. I also recently bought a 2005 Toyota Mark X with 55,000 kilometres. These cars drive well although I top up oil on the old Corona before service. What type of engine oil should I use for both cars and after what mileage should I service the engine oil? Allan Mugisha.

Hello Allan, the suitability of engine oil is determined among other factors largely by the age or mileage and condition of your car engine, performance needs and the environment of operation.
An aged engine with high mileage like your 1993 Corona tends to be ‘leaky’ as piston rings and oil seals wear from constant use.

Such an engine requires a mono grade engine oil like Shell Helix HX3 SAE40 which is designed with chemical sealants to reduce oil leakage and additives while protecting the engine against buildup of corrosion, harmful sludge and vanish deposits in the engines.
The recommended service or oil drain interval should be 3,000 kilometres as a way to mitigate the age factors above.

A medium to newer engine with mileages under 100,000 kilometres can use the multi grade engine oils which cover a wider temperature and viscosity range.
Shell Helix HX5 is a good mineral oil for 5,000 kilometer drain intervals while HX7 is a semi synthetic alternative which can be drained after 7,000 kilometers for the lower mileage MarkX engine.

Both oil options are blended with chemical detergents, anti-corrosion and sheer additives which maintain optimum engine performance, protection and prevent buildup of sludge and harmful deposits.
For the MarkX you can opt for the fully synthetic engine oil Shell Helix Ultra which provides five times the protection and performance enhancements in the other three oils and gives you a longer drain period of 10,000 kilometres.