Can You Mix Oil Brands? What’s The Truth

Can you mix oil brands is a common question many car or machine owners ask. This information will be helpful if you run out of oil in the middle of nowhere. Whether stuck in an emergency, consider the oil basics – weight, grade, and viscosity. Also, sometimes, car owners ask if I can mix different oil brands, categories, and viscosities.

You get different answers from different blog posts. Generally, don’t get afraid; we will give you the correct information about this question in this article. We also will provide you with more relevant information. So, please don’t go anywhere. Just read this article attentively.

Related: Mixing Gearbox Oil: What You Need to Know

Is It Ok To Mix Oil Brands

Is It Ok To Mix Oil Brands?

Is it ok mixing different motor oil brands? Can use other oil brands in your vehicle cause engine damage? The short answer is “no,” but if you want to know in detail, then the long answer is “yes .”Every brand comes with a different amount of additives and formulations. Subsequently, if you mix them, you may cause potentially “additive collisions.”

Is it very fatal for your engine?

Your engine will be fine when you mix mainstream oil brands. Your engine will run fine.

Mixing different oil brands means your engine will run with various detergents, anti-wear and other properties. So, it will not affect your engine in the short term but can be harmful in the long time.

Is It Bad to Mix Oil Brands?

Of course, one of your answers was, “Is it bad to mix oil brands?” When it comes to engine protection, mixing oil brands doesn’t have much effect on your engine. Nonetheless, different oils with different base stocks and additives can reduce engine oil life.

It would help if you stuck with a trusted brand to maximize your engine and oil performance. Additionally, it could be better to mix different oil brands in your machine. But it is a very rare case.

Oil manufacturers use different technologies and procedures to produce oil, which can have other physical properties. When you mix oil brands, you should ensure they have the same viscosity and API rating.

Can You Mix Oil Brands In Cars?

All API oils must be compatible, and each product will contain a base and a set of additives. It’s because they create the unique qualities of the oil base and specific engine oil. Still, different manufacturers of oils use API guidelines that are followed in the manufacturing process.

Other brands will use various formulations of different anti-wear, detergent, and antioxidant combinations. Even so, you should consider oil additives before using different oil brands. So, the answer is to avoid mixing and topping up car oils from other brands.

Mix Oil Brands Of The Same Weight?

There are also common questions, and that is: can I mix oil brands of the same weight? It’s a question that curious colleagues ask us from time to time. Let’s get its answer. The answer is no.

Even if two different oil brands contain the same weight, mixing them together is not good. Technically, using a grade of oil your car manufacturer recommends is correct. Usually, if you combine the same oil brands with weight, you may run the risk of damage.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

Q. Can you mix oil brands of the same viscosity?

Yes, you can mix them. Up to a point, without problems. In particular, if they are both API-certified oils, then they are correct for each other. This ensures that we can top up our oil without destroying the lubrication properties of the primary fill oil. The only safe way to mix oils without compromising performance is to keep the same brand and type/base stock.

Q. Can you mix different brands of synthetic motor oil?

In most cases, you can mix synthetic oils as long as they have the same viscosity and purpose. On most bottles, manufacturers say you can safely switch between brands.

You can use synthetic oil to replace or mix it with mineral oil. So, can you change synthetic oil brands? Most synthetic oil manufacturers state ‌replacing synthetic oil with another brand or mixing different brands is acceptable.

Regardless, don’t mix different synthetic brands with varying viscosities of oil. Likewise, if you do, it will cause engine sludge and damage your engine.

Q. What happens when you mix two different brands of engine oil?

Mixing oil brands should be fine unless you combine oils with different viscosity grades and API ratings. Nevertheless, we advise you to keep the same oil brands even though it does not harm your engine.

Remember, oil is more than just oil. The oil contains many additives to extend engine life, enhance lubrication and prevent corrosion. Some different brands of oil additives may react with other oils. So, mixing different oil brands is only recommended if it does not harm the engine.

Q. Can you mix different brands of gear oil?

First, when you mix two different brands of gear oil, and after a few days of driving, sediment will appear. After the car has traveled thousands of kilometers, the gear oil thickens and clogs the oil channels. Further, the extrusion of seals may happen.

Final Word:

This is possible if you mix oil brands when topping off before your following oil change. Accordingly, mixing oil is not recommended. Different brands have proprietary blends of additives that cause problems with other brands. Unfortunately, if you don’t want to but must use other brands, change this oil as soon as possible.

Ultimately, if you do that quickly, you can prevent any damage that creates wrong oils. Overall, we are trying to give proper answers to can you mix oil brands and other questions. We hope you get the appropriate information that you want. If you want more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Emon

Emon is Lubricants specialist who studied on Petroleum Engineering in UAE. He have more than 10 years experience on different kinds of lubrication including automobile troubleshooting.

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