Are Synthetic Oils Better for Your Car?
Every time you get your car’s oil changed, you’ve probably noticed the signs offering synthetic oil. You may even have synthetic oil in your car right now. But what is the difference between synthetic motor oil and conventional oil, and which is better for your car? Knowing the difference can give you the ability to make a more informed choice when it’s oil change time.
As its name suggests, conventional oil is refined crude oil that is pumped from the ground. The refining process separates crude oil into the various compounds used in gasoline, asphalt, and motor oil. Petroleum refining technology has advanced dramatically, but there is still a chance that contaminants from the refining process may be present in motor oil.
Synthetic oil was originally developed for use in aircraft engines to work under the extremes of heat and temperature those engines encounter, as well as to withstand long operating hours. The first synthetic oils for cars were introduced in 1972, and they’ve become very popular ever since. Today, synthetic, conventional, and synthetic-conventional blends are available for your car.
Because they are not susceptible to the contaminants that naturally occur in conventional oil, synthetic oils do not thicken and break down as quickly as conventional oil. Synthetic oils are more expensive than conventional, but have the added benefit of lasting longer and protecting against the type of buildup of contaminants that may result from impurities in conventional oil. Synthetic oils may also increase the fuel economy of your car by up to 2 or 3 percent, which means savings for you at the gas pump.
You may have heard that because synthetic oil is thinner than conventional, it may not be ideal for an older car or a high mileage engine. Fortunately, this is not necessarily the case thanks to better seals and gaskets on engines over the last 20 to 30 years. And it’s not true that you can’t use synthetic oil if your car has always used conventional. Another synthetic oil myth is that newer engines need a “break-in period” during which only conventional oil should be used. Synthetic oil can reduce the forming of deposits in engines of any age.
Whichever type of oil you choose for your car, it’s important to use the grade and viscosity rating listed in your car’s owner’s manual, and to get your oil changed at the manufacturer’s recommended interval. At our Lube Center, we have several oil change options that can help your car perform at its best, including synthetic, conventional, and semi-synthetic blends. Let us take care of your car so that it can continue to take care of you for years to come.