To determine what oil goes in your car, the best guide is the vehicle owners manual. The manual will define the engine oil viscosity and type that the car manufacturer recommends. In general, manufacturers recommend motor oil based on viscosity grade and performance specification. The most common oil you'll find in modern cars is the 5W-30. The two most common viscosities are SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30. The lower the number, the thinner the oil. It's important to choose an oil with the vehicle manufacturer's recommended viscosity rating.
AutoZone, Pennzoil, Castrol, and Mobil all have online tools to help you find the correct motor oil for your car. When using these tools, you will need to enter your car's make, model, and year.
In summary, to determine what oil goes in your car, you should consult your vehicle owner's manual and use online tools provided by oil manufacturers.
