Engine oil is an amazing substance, one that’s carefully formulated by chemical engineers to address wear, friction, heat, and deposits. However, most engine oils you find on the parts store shelf are universal blends intended to serve the general motoring public. While they work well, they may lack certain qualities that your specific vehicle needs. By mixing in an additive, you can enhance your oil, ensuring it meets the unique needs of your engine.
You don’t need to be a chemist to apply an engine oil treatment—you don’t even need to be an experienced DIYer. However, you will need a few supplies and some basic knowledge regarding the oil additive in question to ensure you choose the best one for your car. Parts Via can help with both. This guide will walk you through the steps and offer expert product recommendations to ensure your engine gets the best care.
Gather Your Supplies
The first thing to know is that not all oil treatments are the same. Some focus on reducing wear, others on cutting sludge, and some even help restore worn parts. However, almost all treatments—regardless of formula and brand—will have the same general steps listed in the instructions. Typically, you’ll add the treatment during a fresh oil change, often in place of a quart of oil.
While it's always important to follow the specific instructions on the bottle, we'll outline the general process here. Below is a list of supplies you'll need.
- Oil Drain Pan
- Wrench for Oil Plug
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Oil Filter
- Oil
- Oil Treatment Additive
- Rags and Gloves
An Extra Step in Your Oil Change Routine
Adding an oil treatment is about as simple as it sounds—you’ll perform an oil change on your car as usual, mixing in an additive at the end. The key is ensuring you’ve gathered the necessary supplies and selected the correct products for your engine. You don't want to finish the oil change only to discover you bought an incompatible treatment or the wrong oil weight. If you find out afterward, you'll need to drain the oil and start over, which is just a waste of money.
Once you’ve confirmed everything is in order, follow these steps:
Drain the old oil: Place an oil drain pan below the oil drain plug. Remove the bolt and allow all the oil to drain out of the pan, then replace the plug.
Remove and replace the oil filter: Use an oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter. Be sure to take off the O-ring seal, which can sometimes stick to the engine. This is important to ensure a proper seal with the new filter. Before installing the new filter, apply a dab of oil to the seal to help prevent it from sticking in the future. Then, simply screw it in place, snugging it down by hand.
Add in fresh oil: Remember, you may need to use slightly less oil to accommodate the engine oil treatment. If your additive doesn't require a reduction, then simply add as much oil as the engine calls for and move to the next step. Typically, you'll need to add a quart less, so be sure to measure it accurately. This is easy with individual quart bottles, but larger oil jugs can be tricky to eyeball. They usually have a level indicator on the side to help, or you can use a regular measuring cup. For reference, a quart is a quarter gallon, which comes out to 32 ounces.
Apply the engine oil treatment: Once the fresh oil is added, pour in the additive of your choice. Run the engine, check your levels, and top off with regular engine oil if necessary. Then, simply repeat the process at every oil change.
The Best Oil Additives for Cars
While you likely already have an oil additive in mind, we'd like to add some suggestions in case you're unsure where to start. Below is a list of our recommendations for the best oil additives for different situations.
- Best Oil Additive for High Mileage Engines: Lucas High Mileage Oil Stabilizer
- Best Oil Additive for Cleaning Engines: Sea Foam Ultimate Oil Stabilizer
- Best Oil Additive for Sealing Leaks: Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak
- Best Oil Additive for Heavily Worn Engines: Bar's Leaks Engine Repair
- Best Oil Additive for Classic Engines: Lucas TB Zinc-Plus Engine Break-In Oil Additive
Shop Engine Oil Treatment Solutions at Parts Via
Parts Via is your go-to source for all your engine lubrication needs. Not only do we have an inventory stocked with all the best oils and oil additives, but we also have a staff of knowledgeable pros ready to answer all your questions. Plus, after your purchase, you can have your items shipped to a network dealer near you FREE of charge, making it even easier to get the assistance you need—whether that’s professional installation or a DIY oil change. Browse Parts Via’s extensive selection and choose quality oil additives from trusted brands like Lucas Oil, Sea Foam, Bar's Leaks, Liqui Moly, Hot Shot’s Secret, and more.