Best Engine Oils in the Netherlands - Reviews and Comparison 2021

In principle, you can differentiate between three types of motor oil, and they have been listed below:

• Mineral: Mineral oil consists of base oils obtained directly from petroleum distillates, like gasoline or diesel. It consists of hydrocarbon compounds of different lengths, and additives are added to the base oil to make it more durable and improve its properties and performance.
  This oil is widely used because it is easy to make.
  The quantity and quality of the additives lead to the price rise, yet the low cost remains the biggest asset of mineral oil.
  Mineral oil is best suited for older vehicles because synthetic oils attack seals or other engine parts, which are rather unsuitable for older vehicles. In addition, good quality mineral oil can also be used by drivers who regularly use their cars for longer journeys.

• Synthetic: Unlike mineral oil which is directly obtained from petroleum distillates, synthetic oil is made exclusively from synthetic base oils. The major difference lies in the molecular structure of synthetic oils since they have similar hydrocarbon compounds. And this molecular structure works in the oil’s favour as synthetic oils can withstand higher temperatures, lubricate better, are more durable than mineral oils and give better cold starts at low temperatures. Furthermore, the additives work better and hardly any oil sludge is formed in the engine.
  Synthetic oils are made for modern engines, sports cars, and for those drivers who drive infrequently or only for short distances.

  • Unfortunately, the price of synthetic oil is relatively higher. 

• Semi-synthetic: It is a mix of mineral oils and synthetic base oils. The quality of the semi-synthetic oil is determined by the synthetic oil, and the dopes added to the mineral oil. Due to improved mineral oil properties, it costs between the two oils (mineral and synthetic).
  Semi-synthetic oils are the most commonly used oils today, and, like mineral oil, they are most suited for old vehicles and vehicles that are used daily.

Which oil is suitable for your car, that depends on the type and configuration of your car’s engine.

Viscosity is the essential feature when it comes to choosing the right motor oil.
Earlier, there used to be summer and winter oils for engines. However, modern motor oils can withstand certain temperature differences thanks to the viscosity grade.

At high temperatures, oil becomes more liquid, due to which the viscosity must correspond to the operating temperature of the car. And when the car is cold, the oil should be fluid enough.

The degree of viscosity is represented by two numbers (lowest and highest viscosity of the oil).
A thick oil structure has a higher viscosity, and such oil will have a high number. In fact, the higher the number, the more viscous and vice versa. While low viscosity oil runs better and helps in saving fuel. However, that doesn’t mean you end up using low viscosity oil for every engine. Which type of oil and what viscosity suits your engine that must have been mentioned by the manufacturer, and you should abide by that. The wrong combination can cause engine damage.

The first number indicates viscosity and the second number determine how long the engine oil will remain thick.

For example, 10W40 motor oil will have a higher viscosity, i.e. it will have a thicker oil structure than 5W30 or 5W40 motor oil.

Considering the second number, 5W30 motor oils will remain thick for a shorter time than the 5W40 or 10W40 motor oils.

Auto repair experts usually recommend changing the oil once a year. However, new cars are smart enough to be equipped with sensors to indicate when the next oil change is due. Usually, petrol cars must be able to drive up to 30,000 km, whereas diesel cars complete 50,000 km without an oil change.

Long-life oils, however, cost significantly more than conventional oils. Therefore, you should consider in advance whether a long-life oil is worth buying.

The addition of additives has changed over time due to changes in exhaust legislation and standards. The catalytic converter in modern engines can counteract the action of some additives, and certain additives can cause damage to the catalytic converter. Therefore, get motor oil without harmful additives.

Not all engine oils are the same. Therefore, choose them as per your car. It seems that as long as the oil has the right viscosity for your car, it is good to go. However, some oils are specifically only suitable for diesel or petrol engines.
Modern diesel engines particularly call for low-ash oil. Wrong engine oil can break that particulate filter which can lead to expensive repairs. Generally, diesel engines require more liquid oil than petrol engines.

Motor oil doesn’t have to be necessarily expensive. Good engine oil can come for as little as five euros per litre. And if something can be so inexpensive, then who will spend more money than necessary? Price primarily varies because of the oil type, and synthetic oil is more expensive than the others, but that rate is justified because it ensures better engine maintenance.

Motor oil is also available in many quantities, and people are often misled by a supposedly low price. Unfortunately, only later do they notice that there is only one litre in one bottle, and five litres is more expensive than one litre. 

We recommend that in addition to the price you must check the quantity of the product.

• The intense pressures in the latest car engines cause friction that can waste upto 10% of engine performance. Castrol Edge with fluid titanium physically transforms to be stronger under pressure and reduces friction.

• It is an advanced full synthetic engine oil suitable for use in Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid cars.

• The Castrol Edge becomes stronger under pressure and reduces performance-robbing friction. 

• The engine oil is recommended by world-leading car manufacturers.

• It is also a trusted technical partner for some of the world’s most demanding motorsport teams.

• It meets the industry standards with ACEA C3, MB - Approval 229.31/229.51, Porsche C-30, and VW 504/507.

• Total Quartz 9000 ENERGY 5W-40 is a fully synthetic premium engine oil for cars.

• It is suggested for all high performance and advanced petrol and diesel car engines featuring direct injection, multi-valve, and turbocharger technologies.

• Formulated with Age Resistance Technology, it keeps the car engine younger for longer.

• It offers ultimate engine protection by preventing sludge build-up and controls oxidation.

• Your car engine gets the utmost cleanliness due to advanced detergent formulation.

• There is no compromising on power and performance even under the most severe driving conditions.

• The motor oil facilitates excellent start-up performance even at the coldest temperatures.

• It meets the international standards-ACEA A3/B4 and API SN/CF.

• Manufacturers like VOLKSWAGEN 502.00/505.00, BMW LL-01, MERCEDES-BENZ MB-Approval 229.5 (backwards-compatible MB-Approval 229.3), and PORSCHE A40 have also approved the engine oil.

• The motor oil is available in 1 litre and 4 litres packaging.

• It is ester-containing engine oil made on a hydro synthetic basis for petrol and diesel engines.

• You can use it for both new and old brands and with a large mileage.

• It has been developed based on the requirements of European manufacturers.

• The extended range of viscosity-temperature properties ensure efficient engine operation in several operating modes, including cold start, urban mode, highway mode, at high ambient temperatures, and even when there is increased load.

• It can preserve the engine’s power parameters throughout the entire replacement interval.

• The unique wear reduction technology combined with ester components and exceptional strength of the oil film offers great anti-wear and anti-friction properties.

• Overall, the motor oil significantly increases the engine’s service life even in “Start-stop” driving modes.

• The detergent-dispersing properties and excellent thermal-oxidative stability effectively combat all types of deposits while keeping the engine parts clean throughout the entire replacement interval.

• The oil is suitable for gasoline and diesel engines of a vast fleet of cars, including passenger cars, light SUVs, minibuses and light trucks of Europe and manufacturers of other countries.

• You can also use it for Daimler, VW cars that have additional requirements for engine oils.

• The oil is not suitable for heavy trucks and similar vehicles!

• This energy-conserving all-season full-synthetic oil is for all types of manual transmissions.

• It is recommended for all types of synchronised manual transmissions (including heavy-duty), in differentials (LS with excessive friction), steering equipment and other transmission parts where extreme pressure and load is encountered. You can also use it for vehicles in which the use of standards GL-4 and GL-5 is prescribed.

• The ideal viscosity ensures superior anti-friction properties, thus ensuring a significant fuel economy and smooth transmission shift.

• Its unique composition ensures superb anti-wear and anti-scuffing properties that significantly extend the life of the engine and technical equipment even in the most extreme modes of operation.

• The superior low-temperature properties ensure an easy starting, reliable lubrication, and an easy & precise transmission shift at varying temperatures (up to -40 °C).

• The enhanced thermal-oxidative stability and thermal degradation resistance allow more time gap between oil changes, reducing equipment maintenance costs.

• The other benefits of using this oil are that it protects against lacquering and synchroniser ring clogging and metal parts corrosion. Moreover, it is compatible with sealing materials, preventing them from swelling, hardening, and shrinking, reducing the costs for spare parts.

• CASTROL POWER1 is a five in1 semi-synthetic motor oil giving an ultimate performance.

• This is the only motorcycle engine oil on our list.

• With Power Release Technology, it optimises friction and delivers superior acceleration at the twist of the throttle.

• While managing heat and friction in big bikes, it also offers continuous power delivery and on-demand acceleration.  

• It is also available in 4 litres packaging.

• With API SL and JASO MA-2, it meets the industry standard.

• Castrol Edge is driven by advanced technology, making it ultra-efficient motor oil.

• The advanced engines challenge the oil with increased pressures which can cause friction. However, the fluid titanium physically transforms its structure, becoming stiffer at extreme pressure points, keeping the metal apart and ultimately reducing friction.

• The Castrol Edge with fluid titanium transforms oil’s structure and reduces performance-robbing friction by 20%.

• The motor oil has been independently tested at the highest standards for proven performance.

• It is recommended by world-leading car manufacturers.

• Protects the engine during entire drain interval even under extreme pressure.

Note: It contains C14-16-18 alkyl phenol and a sensitising substance that can cause an allergic reaction.

• Comma Classic motor oil is a traditional, non-detergent motor oil for 4-stroke petrol engines.

• It has been specially designed for classic and vintage cars.

• Its higher viscosity (0W-40) prevents the motor oil from leaking.

• It is a great quality oil that minimises engine noise.

• It is a monograde oil and must be used in the summer season.

• An oil change is recommended after every 1000 km.