Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

Motor oil isn’t something most Raleigh drivers give a lot of thought to, but your vehicle just can’t run properly without it – that’s why regular oil changes are always going to be part of the manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule. And when the time does roll around for your next oil change, you might start wondering about the difference between synthetic oil vs. conventional oil.

Both offer unique benefits, but it’s mostly just important to know if your vehicle requires synthetic oil or if conventional will do. You can find that information in your owner’s manual. To help you understand more about the difference between synthetic oil vs. regular oil, our Cary service team has put together this quick and easy guide. Read on to learn how these oil types are different, including a look at the synthetic vs. conventional oil change frequency.

What is Conventional Oil?

As you might have guessed, conventional oil has been used across the roads of Durham and beyond for generations.

It’s distilled and refined directly from crude oil, and the main reason people continue to use it is its favorable price. You’ll often find conventional motor oil at half the price of synthetic oil. You may also be better off using conventional oil with an older vehicle since aging engines tend to be better lubricated by its slower flow.

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oils are produced from higher quality and less-refined base oils. Distilled crude oil is almost always the base component, but different manufacturers use different additives to create synthetics.

Compare synthetic oil vs. regular oil and you’ll find the former tends to cost more, but it does provide some advantages. Synthetic oil is:

• Less likely to acidify and oxidize.
• More chemically stable than conventional oil.
• Able to last longer than conventional oil.
• Required for some vehicles, including performance cars.

Full Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blend

How about full synthetic oil vs. synthetic blend? Well, a synthetic blend is a mixture of synthetic and conventional oil, so it combines the resistance to oxidation with a lower price. However, blends don’t offer Apex drivers quite the same level of performance as a full synthetic.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil Change Intervals

One of the important differences between synthetic and conventional oil is the synthetic vs. conventional oil change frequency. Synthetic oil lasts longer than conventional oil, so you won’t have to change it as often! This helps to offset the fact that synthetic oil also costs more than conventional oil.

• How often to change synthetic oil: Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles
• How often to change conventional motor oil: Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles

Find Out More by Contacting Our Service Department

Whether you want to find out more about synthetic oil vs. regular oil or schedule servicing to keep your vehicle running in prime condition, we can help. For any further assistance, feel free to contact us today.