Can you mix synthetic blend with regular oil

Keeping track of the amount and quality of oil in your vehicle is an essential part of ownership. The oil works to keep the engine and all its parts lubricated, which helps it run smoothly. There are a variety of different types of oil available, but they fall into two general categories. Here we will take a look at conventional oil and synthetic oil and see if you can mix the two together.

What is Conventional Oil?

Can you mix synthetic blend with regular oil

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Conventional motor oil is a lubricant that comes directly from crude oil. It has properties that allow it to provide lubrication for the engine at very high temperatures, and it will maintain its stability over a long period of time. Conventional oil was first used in the late 1800s for steam engines and was later used for many other machines. 

Conventional oil is often more economical than synthetic since it doesn't require as much re-engineering and refining. Both of these can be expensive processes, which often increases the price of synthetic oil. Conventional oil still contains the important additives needed to reduce engine wear, and it has the power needed to clean away sludge and keep new sludge in the oilways from forming. 

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is also a lubricant, but it is made from artificial chemical compounds. To make synthetic oil, petroleum molecules are broken down and rebuilt to create a standardized compound. The molecules in base synthetic oil are all the same size and structure. This is different from conventional oil, which, since it comes from crude oil, has molecules of many sizes, structures, and shapes. 

Synthetic oil can be completely synthetic or a blend of different base types. Full synthetic oils have a base stock and are created without the use of any petroleum. These oils have additives that help reduce the degradation of the oil. Some synthetics use a blend of conventional oil and a synthetic base stock. Combining the two gives the engine some extra protection than it would get with just the conventional oil. 

Can You Mix Conventional Oil With Synthetic?

The short answer is yes. There is no danger or risk of combustion, and mixing the two types of oil won't harm your engine. However, it's important to note that if you do mix the two, the conventional oil can keep the synthetic from performing to its fullest potential.

It is not harmful to mix oils, and you don't run the risk of causing a chemical reaction. Some of the synthetics are already a mix of conventional and synthetic, so essentially it is already combined.

Even though you can mix the two, most mechanics will not recommend that you do it regularly. The additives in the different types of products may interact, or the mix of two different oils may cause the mixture to become less stable, and you might lose the benefit of the synthetic. If you have a vehicle with a high-performance engine, mixing conventional with synthetic might not allow the expensive additives in the synthetic to work the way they should. It won't damage the engine, but it won't help it either. 

The Benefits of Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oil has some benefits you don't get with regular oil. There are some excellent reasons to use it, but it is not always necessary to spend the extra money.

Synthetic oil is designed to:

◾️Resist breakdown. This makes it last longer than conventional oil, so you don't need to change it as often.

◾️Withstand higher temperatures. This allows it to keep engines running longer.

◾️Flow in cold temperatures. This reduces engine wear when starting a car in cold climates.

Some driving situations may benefit from a synthetic. Its ability to resist breaking down will help prolong your engine's life depending on where you live and if you drive long or short distances on a regular basis. If you make a lot of short trips, conventional oil might not get warm enough to burn off impurities and moisture, and if you live in an area where it gets cold in the winter or has extremely high temperatures in the summer, synthetic oil does a better job than conventional oil of protecting the engine. 

Synthetic oil is also better if you have a vehicle with an engine that tends to have sludge buildup. This sludge can block oil passages and lead to engine problems. Synthetic oil is less likely to allow the sludge to form. 

Another benefit of synthetic oil is that it is better for the environment. Since it is created and not harvested from the ground, it is more eco-friendly than conventional oil.

The Benefits of Conventional Oil

As mentioned before, conventional oil is easier to find, and it is cheaper than synthetic. Even with synthetics becoming more popular, you are more likely to find regular oil on the shelves at the store. Conventional oil is often recommended for older engines. Since synthetic flows more smoothly, it moves faster. The slower flow of conventional oil means the engine gets more lubrication, and this is often beneficial for older engines. The extra lubrication helps them last longer.

Older engines are not designed for synthetic oil, and if you use it, you even run the chance of it seeping out it the gaskets or even into the combustion chambers.

How To Decide Which Oil To Use

The best way to determine what type of oil to use is to look at the manufacturer's guide. If you dig out your owner's manual, it will state what type of oil is best for your vehicle, and you can also look on the oil bottle. It will state what types of engines it will work for. 

If you have other questions about synthetic and conventional oil and whether or not you can mix them, give us a call at United Chevrolet Buick GMC. We will happily answer all of your questions and even help you determine which one you should be using. 

Can you mix synthetic blend oil with regular oil?

So, can you mix synthetic oil with regular oil? Yes. If it's something you do only occasionally, mixing shouldn't damage your engine.

What happens when you mix synthetic blend and conventional oil?

Keep in mind that mixing synthetic and conventional oil dilutes the beneficial effects of higher quality synthetic oil. Not only does this devalue your synthetic oil investment, but it may also lead to you needing an oil change earlier than expected.

Is it bad to mix synthetic and conventional?

Yes, you can safely mix synthetic and conventional oil. All motor oil, whether synthetic or conventional, is a combination of base oils and additives. Each are designed to be used in the same applications, so they each pass the same minimum standards.

Is it bad to mix synthetic oil with synthetic blend?

Synthetic oil is entirely compatible with regular oil and synthetic blend oil.