What Is The Best Oil For Mitsubishi Outlander?

As it is the lifeblood of your vehicle's engine, you'll want to use only the best motor oil for your car, truck, or SUV. If you are driving a Mitsubishi Outlander and are wondering what the best oil is, we can help you.

We researched this vehicle from multiple professional sources, so you'll know what to put in its crankcase.

It is recommended to only use Mitsubishi Genuine Full Synthetic 0W-20 motor oil in your Mitsubishi Outlander. This is the best grade for the engine's moving parts.

Now that we know the best oil you should use in your Mitsubishi Outlander, we'll look at why selecting the correct grade is essential. You might also be curious if you can use 5W-30 instead of 5W-20 or if synthetic oil is better than traditional motor oil.

For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what we've uncovered in our research.

A mitsubishi outlander ready for an adventure parked outside, What Is The Best Oil For Mitsubishi Outlander?

Why selecting the correct grade is essential.

Earlier in this post, we stated that the recommended oil for the Outlander was Mitsubishi Genuine Full Synthetic 0W-20 full synthetic. The manufacturer has made this recommendation based on the engine's production.

There are a good number of reasons that the right oil is used in your Outlander, as this vital fluid is responsible for the life and performance of its engine.

Pouring oil into the car engine, refueling

What is the oil's purpose?

Oil is made to fulfill two purposes. First, it serves as a lubricant. There are a lot of moving parts inside an engine. These moving parts will grind together, creating a massive amount of friction. A lubricant is added to the engine to minimize the amount of friction they produce.

Oil will also act as an engine coolant. The flow of the oil throughout the engine will help reduce the levels of heat that all of the moving parts produce.

It works in tandem with the radiator fluid to keep your vehicle's vital parts from getting too hot and damaged from the heat.

What does this have to do with the grade of oil I select?

The oil that flows throughout your Outlander's engine needs to be of a thickness that best lubricates the moving parts. This thickness is referred to as the oil's level of viscosity or its ability to move. The higher the viscosity, the slower the oil will move.

Engines are designed differently, with some needing less viscosity than others.

If you have a vehicle that needs low viscosity oil but uses one of a higher grade instead, you can damage your engine. The moving parts will not get as lubricated, which will generate more heat and more wear.

The performance of the vehicle will also be impacted. Since the oil will not be doing its job as effectively, it will make the engine more sluggish.

Should you accidentally put the wrong grade of oil into your vehicle, it's strongly recommended that you have it drained as soon as possible and replaced with the oil it was meant to host.

Can I use 5W-30 instead of 5W-20?

In most cases, you will want to stick to the oil that the manufacturer recommends. The engine of your vehicle is built to use oil of a certain viscosity level.

If the oil is too thick for it, it can lead to damage to the many working parts of the engine. If it is too thin, it will lead to performance issues.

In certain circumstances, you might consider upgrading the viscosity level of the oil you put into your engine. The moving parts in your engine will wear down over time, causing the oil to move at a different rate.

So if you have a vehicle with high mileage, you might take a different approach.

The 5W-20 oil you have been using might not have the right viscosity if your engine has over 100,000 miles.

Consult your dealership or trusted mechanic about upping the grade to higher viscosity. Upon their expert recommendation, your engine might well deserve a switch.

Auto Mechanic Showing 5W-30 Engine Oil in the Auto Repair Shop

Is synthetic oil better than traditional motor oil?

Though synthetic oil is becoming more popular, many consumers still swear by good old-fashioned motor oil. Though these two vital fluids accomplish the same tasks, you'll find that one certainly carries with it more advantages than the other. 

While each has its pluses and minuses, a thorough examination of both types of motor oil is called for. After reading what the experts say, you might change what you have added to your vehicle's crankcase.

The pros and cons of traditional motor oil

The traditional motor oil you may have used for years is slowly being replaced by a synthetic counterpart. But some vehicle owners will still use the oil they've always used.

They are used to its properties, are familiar with how it fits into the vehicle's maintenance schedule, and find the short-term low cost more attractive.

While the oil filter will cost the same no matter what oil you use, the oil itself has quite a range in prices. The traditional motor oils will be substantially less expensive per quart than the synthetic varieties. 

But this type of motor oil has some drawbacks that should be addressed. It's dirty, for starters.

As there are a good number of organic properties in this fluid, it will evaporate a bit over time, combining with decaying materials in it that generates a good amount of sludge inside your engine.

Why many consumers use synthetic motor oil

Synthetic oil will cost more by the quart. But most consumers will find that they will save a good deal of money in the long term if they use this type of oil.

Synthetic oil will last much longer in your engine than its traditional counterpart. This means fewer oil and oil filter changes, which balances out the higher cost of synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is also much cleaner. It is better for the environment as well. This oil produces a lot less sludge, making it better for the parts that it lubricates and cools.

Pouring motor oil for motor vehicles from a gray bottle into the engine

How often should I change the oil in the Mitsubishi Outlander?

If you want your Mitsubishi Outlander to last, you'll want to be sure the oil and oil filter are changed at factory-recommended intervals. But when these intervals occur will depend on what type of oil you are using.

Traditional motor oil needs to be changed more often than its synthetic counterpart. This should be done every 3,000 miles so that sludge doesn't build up in the engine.

Mitsubishi says that you can wait a lot longer in between changes if you are using synthetic oil. The manufacturer states that you can go between 7,500 and 10,000 miles before needing to get this piece of important maintenance performed.

Motor car Mitsubishi Outlander at the countryside

What happens if I never change the oil in my vehicle?

Oil cools and lubricates the moving parts of your vehicle's engine. Though there is a bit of traditional motor oil that will be lost to evaporation over time, it's not much of a loss by volume. And synthetic oil will not evaporate at all.

The exact amount of oil will remain in your engine unless there are leaks. So why does it need to be changed?

Your engine is a dirty place. The oil will pick up small bits of dirt and other debris, making it slowly become thicker. In addition, the chemicals in the oil will break down over time, making it less effective when it comes to lubricating.

The sludge that develops as the oil ages will impede it from lubricating the engine. If the engine isn't getting the lubrication it needs, the moving parts will heat up and wear out long before their time. 

Get your vehicle's oil changed at the factory-recommended intervals. This will not only help keep it on the road longer but will ensure that you do not void any manufacturer or dealer warranty.

Final thoughts

A mitsubishi outlander ready for an adventure parked outside

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been specifically engineered to operate with synthetic motor oil. Always use the recommended oil for your vehicle, only considering upgrading to a higher viscosity level if your engine has over 100,000 miles on it.

Always get the oil changed according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, lest you do damage to your engine and impact its life and performance. Drive safe!

We hope this post on the Mitsubishi Outlander answered all of your questions. For additional information, we suggest reading the following posts:

How To Unlock Hands-Free System In Mitsubishi Outlander [In 5 Easy Steps!]

Does the Outlander PHEV Have 7 Seats?

Can You Tow with a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?

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