The oil you use has a significant effect on your engine’s overall health and longevity. For a 2015 Nissan Versa, the manufacturer recommends fully synthetic SAE 5W-30 type oil. Let’s break down what that means.
In general, synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil. Although conventional oil (i.e. mineral oil) can provide adequate lubrication performance, it can’t compete with the overall engine performance and protection provided by synthetics. If you use lower-cost conventional oil in a pinch, make sure you change your engine’s oil more often to compensate.
The numbers in the oil’s name refer to its viscosity. 5W-30 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five, meaning it’s less viscous (less thick) at very low temperatures compared to, say, 10W-30 oil. It has a hot viscosity grade of 30, which means it is less viscous at high temperatures than an oil such as 5W-50.