When shopping for oil, it’s important to be exact. For example, the similar SAE 5W-30 isn’t acceptable. This is because it has an inferior viscosity at operating temperature, so although it will work to lubricate your engine, it’ll also introduce friction into the system. Over time, this can cause premature wear and tear on the engine, which can lead to early engine failure.
You also want to be sure that you’re purchasing full synthetic oil, rather than conventional oil. Synthetic motor oil has gone through a chemically engineered process. Synthetic oil molecules are more uniform in shape with fewer impurities and better properties than conventional oil molecules.
Synthetic blend motor oil uses a mixture of synthetic and conventional base oils and can be substituted in a pinch, but keep in mind that you’ll have to change your oil more often.