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An older vehicle, 1993 1600 Ford Laser 198,000kms, a garage used 10W-30 during a service.
Just two months later another mechanic doing other work said "Why is that bloke using that grade of oil in a car of this age?" He then suggested 20W-50 was the right oil to use. Who is right please?

There is no right or wrong answer in my opinion. It could be argued that 20W-50 is also not an ideal choice either. I would think somewhere in the middle (15-40) to be more appropriate for your vehicle depending on mileage and overall engine condition.

While some argue over oil grade there are also plenty of opinions out there on oil brand.

The heavier the oil (20W-50) the slower the circulation with a cold engine whereas the thinner the oil the less cushion for engine wear when the engine is hot.

At the end of the day It does come down to opinions and ultimately trust in your service provider.

Changing from one garage to another can often create unnecessary doubts over past work.