How do I choose the right motor oil for my car? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by new motorists. Given the wide variety of motor oils available in the market today, settling on the right one for your car may be challenging. Let's help you make an informed decision when choosing the right oil by explaining the differences between different conventional and synthetic oils.
Conventional Oil
Commonly known as regular or mineral-based oil, conventional oil is a lubricant sourced and refined from crude oil.
Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil is a human-made lubricant manufactured from synthetic base oils that have been chemically synthesized. In other words, synthetic oil is made from artificially synthesized chemical compounds, but the base material is derived from distilled crude oil.
Is Synthetic Oil the Best Option for My Car?
When compared to conventional oil, the answer to this question is a big YES! This is due to the fact that synthetic oil is made from high-quality base oils. This means that, when compared to conventional oil, synthetic oil is more chemically stable, very difficult to oxidize or acidify at extreme temperatures, and the bonds between chemical compounds are very hard to break down or lose the desired qualities.
Why You Should Use Synthetic Motor Oil
You might pay more for synthetic oil, but it's worth every penny for the following reasons:
Synthetic oil lasts longer than conventional oil
Generally speaking, synthetic motor oils take longer before the next oil change. Some oil brands recommend an oil change after every 3000-5000 miles, while others provide a range of 7500 to 20,000 miles. Having said that, it's always advised to follow the owner's manual or consult a professional mechanic for an expert opinion about when to change the motor oil.
Has better viscosity
Since synthetic oil is more stable and does not break down when subjected to extreme temperatures and speed, this oil flows smoothly and quickly with a constant viscosity during winter or summer. This allows the engine and other moving components to run smoothly for a long period of time.
Synthetic oil provides better engine protection
As mentioned earlier, synthetic oils are made from high-quality base oils. The chemical compound forms a strong protective molecular film between moving components. This enables the synthetic oil to retain its protective property for a long time—thereby increasing an engine's lifespan.
Other benefits of synthetic motor oil include;
- It keeps the engine cleaner.
- It provides better protection to critical turbocharger parts
- Synthetic oil has uniform molecules, which improves its antifriction properties.
- It has rust or corrosion inhibitors, which provide better acids and moisture protection.
- Synthetic motor oil also has antioxidants, foam inhibitors, dispersants, and pour-point depressants, all of which helps in improving the engine's better protection and smooth running.
If you need an oil change performed, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!