How do I know when to use synthetic or conventional oil? What is the difference anyway? How often should I be changing my oil? Is one type of oil better than the other? Wait! What is semi-synthetic oil?

It is essential for the health of your vehicle to understand which type of oil is recommended for your vehicle to keep your engine safe and running longer with no issues.

Oil is one of the most essential elements of a vehicle and the key to keeping your engine running longer and more effectively. The principal component of the oil is to reduce wear and friction between engine parts and protect important components inside the vehicle. Different types of oil have more of an impact on your vehicle’s engine life than others. 

Conventional Oil

Conventional oil is derived from refined petroleum or crude oil. Petroleum is a fossil fuel found beneath the Earth’s surface that is frequently used to refine all sorts of different types of fuel like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. 

Conventional oils are generally used for pre-90 vehicles, since that was the industry standard at those times and what the vehicles called for. The mileage of the vehicle plays a major role in which type of oil to use because the flow rates of the oil can affect the susceptibility of wear on the engine’s internal parts. This type of oil flows much slower than synthetic oil, which is usually why this oil is recommended for vehicles in these eras. However, conventional oil is more vulnerable to wear and tear in harsher weather conditions, as well, the thicker fluid is more easily clogged in the engine. 

Though, switching from conventional oil to synthetic oil is perfectly fine and will not cause internal damage to your vehicle’s engine. One myth in the industry is that once you switch to synthetic oil you can never go back to conventional, which is completely false, you can switch back and forth between oils at any time.

Semi-Synthetic Oil

A semi-synthetic oil, or ‘synthetic blend’, is simply a combination of a full-synthetic and conventional oil. Synthetic blends do not contain any more than 30% synthetic oil but have the ability to provide your engine extra protection against changing temperatures and are not as susceptible to evaporation as regular conventional oil. 

Semi-synthetic blends are designed to have many aspects of a fully synthetic oil like the improved viscosity components and increased lubrication but are sold at a much lower cost.

Full Synthetic Oil

Here is why you might want to give synthetic oil a try!  

Full synthetic oil uses higher quality base oils than the less-refined oil used in conventional oils, making its molecules more uniform in size with much fewer impurities. While synthetic blends and conventional oil use crude oil as their base, which is found to have more impurities. 

Synthetic oil has some advantages over conventional motor oil like:

 • Resistance to oil breakdown 

 • Improved fuel economy, time to save on gas!

 • Less frequent oil changes, although still check with your manufacturer to hear what they recommend for your vehicle. 

 • Enhanced horsepower due to reduced engine drag. 

 • With fewer impurities in the oil, there is less sludge build-up in the engine.

 • More efficient hot and cold temperature performances, for start-ups in lower temperatures and withstand higher temperatures to keep engines lasting longer.  

Overall, synthetic oil is more adept to keep your engine safe and running for longer. Some automotive brands do not specifically recommend synthetic oils but do suggest using a low-viscosity type of oil, which is only found in synthetic form. Synthetic oil may be more pricey at first than other types of oils, but the benefits speak for themselves and may just cost you less in the long run.

Synthetic oils generally hold up for more miles, but it is still very important to stay on top of regular oil changes to avoid any sludge build-up, which leads to the engine dying quicker. This exasperating sludge is less likely to form when using a type of synthetic oil. 

At Oil Changers, we only carry the best and most reliable oil brands. Our technicians will only replace the oil that your manufacturers have recommended for your vehicle to ensure your vehicle is receiving the proper oil. Whether you want a splash of synthetic blend, conventional oil, fully synthetic, or even some high mileage, stop by your local Oil Changers for an oil change today!

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