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For the DIY mechanic, the internet can be a confusing source of information.

More often than not when I have a problem with a rebuild such as I did this past week regarding the wiring system used on an older model that may or may not have had a hidden resistor wire in the harness, an odd-looking fuse that I could find a NOS (new old stock) part to use as a replacement, and being 100% certain about the correct torque specs to use when modifying an older cast iron engine block with lighter and cooler aluminum parts, I often turn to car repair/rebuild related internet forums for guidance.

The trick to using forums mining for information is to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff as the saying goes, to determine what is true from what is either a mistaken belief or outright incorrect advice that can make the difference between finding a new solution and creating a new problem for you and your car.

Questions about Oil and Your Engine―Where Do You Go?

No truer is this than when it comes to information from the internet regarding questions about oil and your engine.

For example, a recent search into whether Mobil 1 full synthetic 0W-20 motor oil is perfectly acceptable for your new model Toyota (with the manufacturer recommendation of Toyota Genuine Motor Oil (TGMO) 0W-16) as a substitute, can take you down a time-sucking dark rabbit hole of information, misinformation, and lack of information available. Especially since ExxonMobil makes TGMO motor oil for Toyota.

The conclusion I came to is that the Mobil 1 0W-20 is only slightly different than the TGMO 0W-16, but safe enough to use---at least temporarily.

But I cannot swear to it.

When in doubt the best recourse is to stick with the car manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular model’s motor oil type to insure you are not harming your car and that you are not risking voiding your vehicle’s warranty by using anything other than the recommended motor oil.

However, another recourse I adhere to is finding the right source of information―when possible―from experts who know and understand not just the details but the minutia often lacking in forum discussions. The value to this is that it often reveals gems of knowledge.

Expert Sources of Motor Oils and Engines

A good example of this is a recent Dave’s Auto Center YouTube channel episode this week where Dave teams up with the host of The Motor Oil Geek YouTube channel to talk about engines and how they are affected by the oils used when it comes to lubrication and protection.

Be forewarned, this video recommendation is not for the faint of heart or is a simple “do-this, not-that” type of video. Rather, it is more of a peek into the world of those who are very knowledgeable about engines and oil and are not afraid to admit that they are still learning.

Follow along with the hosts as they discuss some of the finer points of both gas and diesel engines and their fluids that include:

• Why American gasoline should have certain additives when it does not.
• Some points of why Zinc (zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate aka ZDDP) in motor oil is important, but not used in modern cars like it used to be.
• The worst thing new car owners do to high performance cars.
• What is a gapless piston ring and how does it work?
• What car manufacturer oil change recommendations really mean.
• Why there is no magical oil change interval for cars.
• How your car’s maintenance reminder feature is really just a clock.
• The one thing you can do to really know and understand what is currently going on with your engine.

Related article: Two Simple Ways to Test Your Unused Motor Oil at Home

I hope that you will find the video as enlightening and motivating to learn more as I have.

The Truth About Oil Change Intervals and Analysis

For additional articles related to oil and your car, here are three for your consideration:

• What Happens When You Shake Old and New Motor Oil
• Car Oil Change Maintenance Disaster
• What Happens When Your Car’s Oil Filter Gets Clogged

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on  “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

COMING UP NEXT: The Need for New Engine Break-In Is Not a Myth Says This Expert

Image source: Deposit Photos