# Would All of the Automotive People Please Stand Up? \[Advice on oil database\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764 "2020-10-24T14:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/1 "2020-10-24T14:29:33Z")
Hey Everyone, Would someone suggest a good database where I can look up Oil Filters, Oil Capacities, Types of Oil Required and other things by the type of car in question? I am sure there are lots of them, but when I do a search for them, I get brand specific databases, and databases supplied by stores that require you give your info. Thanks in advance. Ficer 67 ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/2 "2020-10-24T17:37:36Z")
Your owner’s manual. Full stop. It will tell you the grade ([API Engine Oil Lubricant Specifications - oilspecifications.org](https://www.oilspecifications.org/api_eolcs.php)), weight (5w30 typically for most N.American cars), capacity of the engine, and filter types. If you want to run something other than the mfr’s filters, then use a cross reference. Bob is the oil guy,[https://bobistheoilguy.com/](https://bobistheoilguy.com/) is a great resource for this. ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/3 "2020-10-24T19:31:17Z")
As a matter of fact, that is the first thing I considered. The thing is, Swampspruce, I work on many different cars all day long. I am looking for a database that I can put the vehicle make and model, engine capacity, etc., and get the oil filters, the air filters, and other things that I may need to install on the vehicle. It would be great if I could get the products broken down by their suppliers, as well. There is always one… ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/4 "2020-10-24T19:48:54Z")
I use Rock Auto to look up stuff like that (except fluid capacities). ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/5 "2020-10-24T19:58:58Z")
Thanks for clueing me into Rock Auto. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/6 "2020-10-24T21:20:27Z")
Sorry, you didn’t make it clear you were working on different vehicles regularly. What auto suppliers are near you? It’s likely that it’ll be faster using their websites as much as anything (Pep Boys, Canadian Tire, Autozone, etc.). I’d second Rock Auto as I’ve used it a fair amount as well. Most newer cars have thier manuals online as well as far as capacities go. I suspect that what you’re looking for may require a subscription like Helm Inc [Owner Manuals, Service Manuals, Wiring Diagrams, Service Bulletins - Helm Incorporated](https://www.helminc.com/helm/homepage.asp?r=https://duckduckgo.com/) Mind you, this is also probably overkill. ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/7 "2020-10-24T21:49:29Z")
Thankyou for clueing me into Helm Inc. This is going to be useful. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/8 "2020-10-25T02:53:06Z")
Since the OP is asking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. Title edited to better indicate subject. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-all-of-the-automotive-people-please-stand-up-advice-on-oil-database/923764/9 "2020-10-26T00:28:30Z")
Thanks for the great suggestions guys.