Does your car seem to drink oil faster than you drink water on a hot day? You are not alone. Many drivers notice their dipstick showing lower levels between oil changes. This oil consumption, often called “burning oil,” can feel like a mystery you need to solve. It’s frustrating because using the wrong oil can make the problem worse or cost you more money down the line.
Choosing the best oil for an engine that burns oil is tricky. Should you use a thicker oil? Does a special additive really help? These questions swirl around, leaving you unsure if you are protecting your engine or just wasting money on the wrong product. Finding the right balance between managing consumption and maintaining engine health is key.
This article cuts through the confusion. We will explain exactly what kind of oil works best when your engine is losing lubrication. You will learn the simple science behind oil viscosity and additives that fight oil burning. Keep reading to discover the smart choices that can save your engine wear and tear, and maybe even save you a trip to the mechanic.
Top Oil For A Car That Burns Oil Recommendations
- The world’s #1 oil additive
- Formulated with 100% petroleum
- Suitable for new engines
- Multi-use versatility
- Trusted by pros to keep engines running smoothly under the most demanding conditions
- Cleans and lubricates the entire fuel system from the tank to injectors
- Removes harmful deposits on intake valves and cylinder heads
- Lubricates the upper cylinder walls as well as the compression rings and oil rings
- Contains special Lucas additives that cause the fuel to burn thoroughly for fewer exhaust emissions and more MPG
- Improves engine cleanliness reduces gum and varnish, especially in oil burners
- Lubricates all internal parts to minimize wear in any engine
- Eliminates the noise, emissions and oil consumption associated with worn engine
- Phosphorus Replacement Technology helps extend emission system life
- Superior dispersancy that fights sludge build up
- Exceptional oil burn-off protection exceeding industry standards* | Seal conditioners to help reduce leaks
- Advanced additives that help prevent engine wear | Improved Fuel Economy**
- Meets or exceeds the following specifications: API SP/SN PLUS/SN/SM | ILSAC GF-6 |* Based on API and ACEA volatility specifications | ** In 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 grades versus industry specification
- World’s #1 synthetic oil additive
- Light, slick, and long-lasting with exceptional film strength
- Stabilizes oil pressure in modern electronically controlled engines
- Suitable for import and domestic engines requiring newer, lighter oils
- Protects heavy duty, high-performance transmissions, gear boxes and engines
- Oil Uses: Designed for but not limited to candle scents for candle making (especially works well with soy wax candle making), diffuser oil scents, freshie scents, oils for laundry, soap making supplies, slime scents, oils for skin, perfume oil, bath and body formulations, bath bombs, and many more essential DIYs.
- Made Easy: Amber shade bottles with easy dispensing euro dropper caps. Whether you are candle making, creating car freshies, or looking for the next summer essentials. Each fragrance oil scent is ready for any craft.
- Premium Grade: P&J fragrances oils are highly concentrated with a strong scent. With more than 30 years in the industry, these enhanced formulations were developed by our IFRA certified master perfumers. Our oils are safe and ideal for every home.
- Cruelty-Free: With over 150 different oils ranging from 10ml, 30ml, and 100ml bottles, we are proud each aroma is cruelty-free and phthalate-free. As well as sourced and manufactured in the USA. Flash Points >715
- Compatible with petroleum, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic motor oils
- Renews worn seals with no risk of damage or eventual corrosion
- Reduces engine noise and oil consumption, while raising oil pressure
- Contains no harmful solvents
- Klotz Super TechniPlate is a high-performance lubricant designed specifically for two-stroke racing engines that combines the benefits of Klotz Original TechniPlate with Klotz BeNOL castor lubricant, creating a mixture that provides both enhanced film strength and a clean burning to keep your engine running at max capacity even under high temperatures and RPMs.
- Our unique lubricant combines 80% full synthetic TechniPlate Lubricant with 20% BeNOL Castor Oil, bringing together our clean burn technology with superior film strength to prevent plug fouling and improve your throttle response, while maintaining a tenacious lubricating film on hardware to prevent metal-on-metal contact and protect your engine.
- Klotz Super TechniPlate blends with methanol alcohol, ethanol, nitromethane, and gasoline and can be used with air-cooled or water-cooled engine architecture. This product is pre-mix only and is not recommended for oil injection or power valve engines.
- Includes 1 quart of Klotz KL-100 Super Techniplate premix racing oil for 2-cycle motorcycle, ATV, and marine engines. Pre-mix as engine manufacturer recommends or at the following specifications: Motorcycle and ATV air-cooled engines 20:1 to 32:1; Water-cooled engines 32:1 to 50:1; Racing Kart engines 16:1 to 20:1; 2-stroke glow engines 15-18%; 4-stroke glow engines 5-10%.
- Klotz is committed to using the most advanced technology available and never compromising on quality for profit: no cost-optimizing or substitution of lesser ingredients. Your racing vehicle deserves the best service available, at the most affordable price.
Choosing the Right Oil When Your Car Starts Sipping Fuel (and Oil!)
If you notice your dipstick showing less oil than before, your car is burning oil. This is a common issue, especially in older vehicles. Choosing the right engine oil can help manage this problem. This guide helps you pick the best oil to keep your engine happy.
Key Features to Look For
When buying oil for a car that burns oil, certain features matter most. These features help the oil seal better and resist breaking down under high heat.
- High Viscosity Index (VI): This number shows how well the oil resists thinning when it gets hot. A higher VI means the oil stays thicker when the engine runs hot, which helps seal gaps where oil might be leaking or burning.
- Good Thermal Stability: The oil must handle high engine temperatures without breaking down into sludge. Stable oil lasts longer and protects parts better.
- Seal Swell Additives: Some specialized oils contain additives that slightly swell old engine seals. This can sometimes reduce minor oil leaks that contribute to oil loss.
- Low Volatility (Noack Rating): Volatility measures how easily oil evaporates. Lower volatility means less oil turns into vapor and burns off inside the combustion chamber. Look for a low Noack number (ideally under 10%).
Important Materials and Oil Types
The base material of the oil heavily influences its performance. You generally have three main choices:
Conventional (Mineral) Oil
This is the cheapest option. It works fine for newer cars with low mileage. However, conventional oil breaks down faster under the stress of an oil-burning engine.
Synthetic Blend Oil
This mixes mineral and synthetic oils. It offers better heat resistance than conventional oil but costs more. It is a good middle ground for cars starting to use a bit more oil.
Full Synthetic Oil
This is the best choice for burning oil. Synthetic oils maintain their thickness and protective qualities even at very high temperatures. They resist breaking down, offering superior protection and less evaporation.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Oil Quality
The additives in the oil make a huge difference in how it performs when your engine is struggling.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Robust Additive Packages: Look for oils with strong detergent and dispersant packages. These keep engine parts clean, which is important because burning oil creates more deposits.
- High-Quality Base Stocks: Group III, IV, or V base oils (used in synthetics) provide a much stronger foundation than conventional oils.
Factors That Reduce Quality (or Performance):
- Using the Wrong Viscosity: If you use oil that is too thin (e.g., 5W-20 when the manual suggests 10W-40), it will flow past worn piston rings easily and burn faster. Always follow your owner’s manual recommendation first.
- Short Drain Intervals: When an engine burns oil, the remaining oil gets contaminated faster. Changing the oil less frequently than recommended reduces its effectiveness.
User Experience and Use Cases
People choose specific oils for burning engines to solve immediate problems. The main goal is reducing the frequency of topping off the oil.
Scenario 1: Slight Oil Consumption (Adding a quart every 3,000 miles): A high-quality synthetic blend or a slightly thicker conventional oil (if approved by the manufacturer) often solves this with minimal cost increase.
Scenario 2: Significant Oil Consumption (Adding a quart every 1,000 miles): Full synthetic oil with a high viscosity index is usually required here. Users report that going from a 5W-30 synthetic to a 10W-40 synthetic can significantly slow down consumption because the thicker oil seals better.
Key User Tip: Always check your owner’s manual! Some modern engines require specific detergent levels that only certain oils meet. Using the wrong type can cause other problems, even if the viscosity seems right.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Oil for Burning Engines
Q: Can thicker oil really stop my car from burning oil?
A: Thicker oil (higher second number, like 10W-40 instead of 5W-30) can help. It makes a better seal against worn parts like piston rings, slowing down how fast the oil enters the combustion chamber.
Q: Should I use high-mileage oil?
A: Yes, often high-mileage oils are a great choice. They usually contain seal-conditioning additives that help soften and swell old rubber seals, which can reduce minor external leaks contributing to oil loss.
Q: Does synthetic oil cost too much if I have to add oil frequently?
A: While synthetic costs more upfront, it lasts longer and protects better under high heat. If you are adding a quart every 1,000 miles, the superior protection of synthetic usually makes the extra cost worth it.
Q: How do I know if my oil is evaporating or leaking?
A: Check under the car for puddles or greasy spots around the engine gaskets. If you see no leaks but the oil level drops, it is likely burning internally.
Q: What is the Noack rating, and why does it matter?
A: The Noack rating measures how much oil evaporates at high heat. A lower rating (under 10%) means less oil turns into smoke and burns away.
Q: Can I switch from conventional to synthetic oil suddenly?
A: You can usually switch safely. If your engine has very old, thick sludge built up, switching to a powerful synthetic might clean it out too fast, potentially uncovering a new leak. But generally, switching is safe.
Q: Does changing my oil filter help when I burn oil?
A: The filter cleans debris, but it does not stop oil consumption. However, using a high-quality filter is always important to keep the oil clean between changes.
Q: What is the main difference between a 5W-30 and a 10W-40 oil in my burning engine?
A: The ‘W’ number (5W or 10W) shows thickness when cold—lower is better for starting. The second number (30 or 40) shows thickness when hot. The 10W-40 stays thicker when hot, helping to seal worn parts better.
Q: How often should I check the oil level if my car burns oil?
A: You should check your dipstick at least every two weeks, or every time you fill up with gas, especially if consumption is high. Never let the oil run low.
Q: Does using “Stop Leak” products work better than the right oil?
A: Stop leak additives are temporary fixes for seals. The right oil, chosen for its viscosity and stability, provides continuous, reliable protection that addresses the root cause better than a one-time chemical additive.