Generic vs. brand-name engine oil: which one is really cheaper?

When it comes to the maintenance of your vehicle, choosing the right engine oil is a subject of great debate: opt for well-known brands or go for generic options? While it is true that the common perception is that brand-name engine oils are more expensive, the question is whether they are a more costly investment in the long run. Let's look at which is better: generic engine oil or brand-name oil.

Oil quality

When it comes to the quality of the engine oil, well-known brands often invest in research and development to create high-quality oil formulations. This can result in increased wear protection, greater thermal stability, and improved performance. 

By contrast, although many of the generic oils meet minimum industry standards, the lack of a specific formulation can result in inferior quality. 

This is only one of the variables to consider, since quality is not the only important thing: no matter how high the quality of a lubricating oil is, it may not be suitable for your vehicle if it does not meet the specifications of your engine and is not compatible with it.  

Engine maintenance

As for engine maintenance, investing in a brand-name oil can be seen as a way to preventively maintain this component of your vehicle, as the additives and their specific formulas can reduce the likelihood of mechanical problems. However, while the advantage of the generic engine oil is that it is more accessible, it may not offer the same level of protection as the name-brand. 

In this sense, another important issue also comes into play: the frequency of oil changes. The superior quality of brand-name oils often translates into less frequent changes, which can result in long-term savings. On the other hand, although generic oil may be more economical initially, the cumulative costs of frequent oil changes could even the scales. 

Manufacturer warranties 

The availability of certain guarantees or the possibility of having access to customer service are important issues to consider when choosing one product over another. In this sense, a well-known, brand-name engine oil usually backs its products with this type of service, adding an extra layer of security and credibility in terms of quality and user experience with the product.