30/10/2025
Why we stock 15+ different types of engine oil.✅️
Years ago, choosing motor oil was simple. You didn’t have to think twice because one type of oil worked for nearly every car. But that’s no longer the case. These days, things are much more specific. There’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” motor oil anymore.
Back in the day, it barely mattered what oil you put in your engine. There were only a few types, and most cars could handle any of them. Later on, different viscosities like 10W-40 or 15W-40 started showing up — these numbers just describe how thick or thin the oil is in hot and cold temperatures. But today, viscosity is only one small part of what matters. It’s no longer enough to choose oil based just on those numbers.
Now, the key factor is meeting the right industry standards — things like the ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) and API (American Petroleum Institute) ratings. On top of that, many European car makers have created their own oil specs. Altogether, there are now over 50 different oil standards, and that number keeps growing.
So how did it get this complicated? It all comes down to efficiency and emissions. To cut fuel consumption and lower emissions, car manufacturers started designing engines that rely on very specific oil properties. Each brand takes its own engineering approach, which means their engines need different oil formulas. Sometimes these requirements can overlap, but often they don’t.
In short, the old “universal oil” has become a highly specialized product. That’s why there’s no single oil that suits every car. Liqui Moly, for instance, makes all its oils in Germany and offers options tailored to almost every vehicle on the road.
So, what’s the “best oil”? The answer depends entirely on your car. Motor oil today is like a liquid spare part — use the wrong one, and you risk serious engine damage. In some cases, the wrong oil can destroy an engine in just a few hundred kilometres. To find the right one, check your owner’s manual or use the online oil guide at www.liqui-moly.com