Synthetic vs Conventional Car Oils: Which Is Better for Your Engine?

 

When trying to find engine oil, you will notice that there are two main options available to consider. They include synthetic and conventional car oils. Both these types of oils have their benefits and drawbacks.

That’s why you need to pay attention to factors such as cost, longevity, and engine protection to pick the best.

Read this guide and we will help you compare these two options and pick the best.

What is Motor Oil?

Before diving into the pros and cons of different oil types, let’s first understand what exactly motor oil is and why it’s essential for engine operation.

An engine requires oil to lubricate the metal components that are constantly moving against each other at high speeds and temperatures. Motor oil creates a protective film between the moving parts to prevent excess friction and wear. The oil also helps clean, cool, and prevent rust in the engine. Without oil, the engine would quickly overheat and seize up.

Conventional Motor Oils

Conventional oils have long been the standard oil used in most vehicle engines. Conventional oils are refined from crude oil, with additives added to improve certain properties. Most conventional oils utilize a blend of three base oil stocks – paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic oils.

Key benefits of conventional motor oils:

• Cost – Conventional oils are cheaper than synthetic formulas. The base oils and additives are relatively affordable to produce. This makes conventional oils ideal for drivers on a tight budget.
• Availability – Conventional motor oils can be easily found at any auto parts store, shop, or gas station. There are many mass-market brands offering conventional oils, giving more options to choose from.
• Good enough performance – While not as robust as synthetics, conventional oils adequately lubricate and protect the majority of everyday consumer vehicle engines under normal operating conditions when changed regularly.

However, conventional oils have some downsides:

• Shorter change intervals – Conventional oils tend to break down faster than synthetic under heat, oxidation, and contaminants. This requires more frequent oil changes, usually around every 5,000 miles.
• Not as effective at extreme temperatures – The lubricating quality and viscosity of conventional oil tends to deteriorate quicker than synthetic oil when engine temperatures reach extremes during harsh driving.
• Less cleansing capability – Additive packages in conventional oils don’t clean and suspend engine contaminants as thoroughly during operation compared to synthetics. More contaminants ultimately mean more wear.

Synthetic Motor Oils

Synthetic motor oils were introduced in the 1970s offering improved performance properties over traditional conventional petroleum-based oils. Instead of crude oil, synthetic oils are manufactured using specialized chemical processes to create customized molecules with enhanced qualities.

Some key benefits synthetics offer over conventional oils:

• Better cold weather performance – Synthetic oils flow better than conventional oils in frigid temperatures, circulating faster through the engine to prevent wear during cold starts.
• Maintains viscosity at high temperatures – Synthetics are also less vulnerable to viscosity breakdown at high operating temperatures inside the engine.
• Longer change intervals – With thicker, uniform molecules that resist evaporation and shearing, synthetic oils can run several thousand more miles between changes compared to conventional. Follow your vehicle’s oil life monitoring system.
• Decreases engine wear – The strong, stable film strength of synthetic oil gives it higher lubricity. This provides better protection between moving engine parts.
• Improved fuel efficiency – The lower friction inside the engine allows components and pistons to move more freely, increasing engine efficiency to improve miles per gallon.
• Cleaner engines – Detergents and additives within synthetic oils do a superior job trapping and suspending debris and carbon deposits compared to conventional formulas, keeping engines cleaner.

However, there are a couple notable drawbacks to synthetic oils:

• Increased cost – Full synthetic oils often cost and arm and a leg, from $7-$20 USD per quart compared to $2-$12 USD per quart for conventional. While they can save money in the long run with fewer changes and reduced wear and repairs, the high initial price deters budget-conscious drivers. Synthetic blends offer a compromise.
• Potential seal incompatibility – In some older engines, standard motor oils are recommended over synthetics to avoid dry rot and deterioration of traditional rubber seals that may not mesh well with the new advanced synthetics. Follow your vehicle manufacturer guidance.

As you decide whether synthetic or conventional oil fits your needs, consider variables like vehicle age, mileage, fuel type, driving conditions, maintenance habits, climate, and budget constraints. Newer higher performance cars tend to benefit most from full synthetic oils while older vehicles still get adequate protection and value from less expensive conventional oils.

Best Practices for Motor Oil and Filter Changes

While choosing the optimal motor oil is important, it will quickly become ineffective if not changed regularly before the additives become depleted. Always adhere to the oil change intervals recommended in your owner’s manual, or at a minimum once yearly. Shorter intervals for conventional oil or severe driving conditions are wise.

The frequency of oil changes depends both on mileage and the time elapsed. Oil additives still deteriorate over time from moisture, combustion byproducts like fuel or nitrous oxides that infiltrate through seals, along with suspended particles.

When adding fresh oil, also make sure to replace the oil filter responsible for trapping solid contaminants flowing through the engine. Use brands meeting or exceeding the specifications by the vehicle manufacturer.

Check the oil levels routinely using the engine dipstick to ensure adequate viscosity and volume between changes to sustain effectiveness. Burning or leaking oil necessitates more frequent top ups.

Keep your engine properly maintained and happy by responsibly caring for its lifeblood – whether you choose traditional dino juice or advanced synthetic. Your vehicle will reward you with years of faithful service.