Oil is an important component of your car. It’s responsible for lubricating your vehicle’s engine, so it’s a good idea to choose the right oil for your vehicle. There are two types of oil that are commonly used by drivers: conventional and synthetic. Synthetic oil is deemed the best kind of oil to use for vehicles, but does yours need it?

Synthetic oil is a lubricant made of artificially made chemical compounds. These compounds are made by breaking down and then rebuilding petroleum molecules. Full synthetic oil uses a synthetic base stock that does not contain petroleum but includes additives meant to help the degradation of the oil. Synthetic blend oil is a mix of conventional motor oil and synthetic base stocks. 

There are plenty of advantages that come with using synthetic oil in your vehicle. First, when exposed to certain conditions, synthetic oil is less prone to chemical degradation compared to mineral oil. These harmful conditions include fuel contamination, water contamination, metal particles, etc. Another advantage of synthetic oil is they have a naturally higher viscosity index. That means that the oil’s thickness remains more stable as temperature increases and decreases. Since the oil’s thickness remains stable regardless of temperature, you prevent excess friction from occurring. Lastly, synthetic oil has a longer lifespan than conventional oil. 

There are a few disadvantages to using synthetic oil. The biggest disadvantage is the cost. Synthetic oil costs around two to four times the price of conventional oil. Additionally, synthetic oil may be more prone to additive precipitation in cold conditions. This can potentially lead to the separation of the additives from the oil. Lastly, synthetic oil may exhibit slightly less fuel economy at highway speeds compared to mineral oil. 

The short answer to this question is: it depends. Synthetic oil is generally deemed better for your engine than conventional mineral oil. While mineral oil provides adequate lubrication for most engines, synthetic oil better protects engines through the use of higher-quality, more refined base oils. But it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If your vehicle calls for conventional oil, you may benefit from synthetic blend oil rather than spending the extra money on synthetic oil. Regardless, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for oil change intervals. 

Not sure what kind of oil to use in your vehicle? We do! The experienced technicians at General Automotive will carefully examine your car and help you determine the best oil to use to keep your engine running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.