Synthetic oil, once found mostly in high-performance cars, is being used in more mainstream vehicles. Show
Take, for example, the popular Honda Civic. A Honda spokeswoman said the automaker uses a synthetic oil in the Civic for its low viscosity—meaning it flows more easily than oils with higher viscosity—which helps to improve the engine's fuel efficiency. The faster the oil flows, the quicker the engine parts can turn. Honda is not alone, says Mel Yu, auto analyst at Consumer Reports. In the 2019 model year, about 70 percent of new cars get either fully synthetic or blended oil. Several brands, including Honda, don't specifically require synthetics for their engines, but the low-viscosity oils that those engines need are offered only in a synthetic format, Yu says. Some brands use “synthetic blend” oil, which is a combination of conventional and synthetic oils. Blends don’t deliver the full benefits of synthetic, but they’re considerably cheaper, he adds. On top of that, many oil-change outlets also offer synthetic oil as an alternative to conventional engine oil. According to Will Hixson, spokesman for the Automotive Oil Change Association, the 2018 National Oil and Lube News annual survey shows that more than half of car owners are choosing synthetics or synthetic blends when they get their oil changed.
Should you use synthetic oil? There are good reasons to—but only if your car has specific needs. Synthetics have some advantages over conventional motor oil. They’re designed to be more effective at:
There's a downside: Synthetic motor oil can cost two to four times as much as regular oil. So unless your owner's manual specifies synthetic, you don’t need it. But John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic, says there are some situations where synthetic oil’s resistance to breakdown (the tendency of oil to degrade and lose its viscosity over time) can help prolong the life of an engine:
Though synthetics generally hold up better for more miles, regular oil changes remain important, and you shouldn’t wait beyond the time interval recommended by the manufacturer—typically every six months or a year. Using synthetic in these situations will prolong your oil life and require fewer changes. That’s also a major benefit to the environment, as used motor oil is a major source of toxic
waste in water.
Patrick Olsen I've been a journalist for decades, and I got my love of cars from growing up in Los Angeles, where you have to drive, even if you're just going a few doors down the block. I'm a huge movie, music, and TV fan, and really just a devotee of good storytelling. “Why should I pay more for synthetic oil?” The confusion over synthetic oil vs. conventional oil is understandable. The mechanic has looked over your car. Then, he said something about engine sludge, oil filters, and asks when you last changed your oil. Even though you may not know the exact date, you remember seeing low prices on plastic banners. Now, the world of oil changes feels like snake oil sales. Synthetic oil? It’s not an oil alternative.
It’s a man-made oil. Ecologically, it produces fewer emissions. It is more expensive at six to ten times the price. But, it is also a better oil. So, why choose synthetic over conventional oil? Synthetic oil is nonetheless oil, though it is somewhat man-made. Synthetic oil is made from a base oil, powder additives, and a carrier oil that enforces an even distribution of the additives. Both synthetic oil and traditional motor oil are made from refining oil. Most synthetics begin with highly refined crude oil, pumped from deep underground. That is the same source as conventional
oil. Other synthetic oils use artificially made compounds or a synthetic oil as a base oil. The primary difference between synthetic oil and traditional oil is at the level of refinement. The base oil falls into one of several “oil grades” from mineral oils extracted from crude (Group I and II) to fully artificial, compound-based oils (Group V). All grades of oil are manufactured with additives that increase performance. Refinement processes and ingredients also result in
scientific control over molecular size and purity. That can lower friction, reduce engine sludge, and increase performance. Synthetic oil was
first developed in 1929. With technology and access to resources, it has refined to accommodate jets, high-performance vehicles, and everyday consumer vehicles. When Allied Forces imposed oil shortages on Germany during The Second World War, for example, Nazi Germany pushed for man-made oil to fuel their military. During the 1970s American Energy Crisis, there was an enormous effort to improve fuel economy by creating better synthetic oils. The need for synthetic oils also comes from technological changes. High-performance vehicles and machinery—from jets that break the sound barrier to industrial plants—have to operate in extreme conditions and temperatures. Highly refined engine oil allows better temperature resistance. Full synthetic oil is the purest type of synthetic oil. However, there is no global standard that grades synthetic oils. Each manufacturer has its own secret ingredients and processes. Thus, the term “full synthetic” is just a marketing term. For the most part, the kind of synthetic oil found in the United States for your household vehicles is likely in the synthetic oils that use a Group III base. That means that the full synthetic you get from your auto store is not really full synthetic. Group III is a highly refined mineral oil made. The mineral oil is refined beyond simple extraction through a process called hydrocracking.
Full Synthetic vs. Synthetic BlendFull synthetic oils are better understood as a grade of motor oil. Semi-refined--also called synthetic blend--oils are less refined than full synthetic oil. Semi-synthetic oil blends traditional oil with the more technologically advanced oils. You get the advantage of additives and more refinement. But, the impurities and inconsistent molecular size of conventional motor oil are still in the blend at lower degrees. The benefit of synthetic blends is largely a cost-vs-benefit decision. Synthetic blends are cheaper than full synthetic motor oil but higher performance than conventional oil. Synthetic Oil Change Interval Because synthetic oil is better on your engine and has fewer impurities, it can go longer than conventional oils or synthetic blends. Schedule regular intervals. For conventional oil, twice a year is suggested as a safe way of keeping track. If you want to keep better track, every 7,500 miles is suggested for average cars. You should also change your oil filter every oil change. But, especially if using synthetic oil, every other oil change is sufficient if you don't regularly push your car hard or endure extreme conditions. Check your owner's manual. Newer cars may be able to go 10,000 miles or only need an oil change once a year. Turbo engines and older cars may still require oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Synthetic oil change intervals range 10,000-15,000 miles or once a year (whatever comes first). Extended performance synthetic motor oil is on the upper top of that range. That extra 5,000 miles may be worth the investment. Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional OilVisually, you cannot tell the difference between new synthetic and conventional oil. There are two major differences, however. First, how they are made is a distinction. We've explained that synthetic oil is far more refined than conventional oil. Second, the way they run in your car is worlds apart. Used motor oil shows a lot thicker and sludgy in conventional oil vs. synthetic oil, given the same amount of wear. Synthetic oil is by far better for performance. It protects the engine due to lower levels of friction. Additives help clean the engine of deposits. And, fewer impurities mean it burns cleaner, thickens far more slowly, and has fewer deposits to start. "According to industry tests, synthetic oil engines perform 47% better than engines using conventional motor oil." - AAA
The benefits of synthetic oil vs conventional oil:
Synthetic oil is generally considered the best oil. It is designed for performance. However, that same manufacturing process makes it more expensive. The general belief in what type of oil is best is:
Notice that there is no “bad” motor oil. Check with the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see their suggestions. The real deal of synthetic oil vs. traditional oil:
How to Choose the Best Motor Oil for Your CarIf you can afford it, choose a full synthetic oil. It is the best oil for any engine. Synthetic oil cuts down the hassles or oversights related to more frequent oil changes and deposits. If synthetic oil is too expensive, go with a blend or rotate between a full synthetic and non-full synthetic every other oil change. Changing car oil will not damage your vehicle. Keep a record to remember the mileage, next oil change date, and type of oil. Refer to your owner’s manual or look up the:
Your mechanic, oil change service, or auto parts store associate will be able to provide advice on the best oil for your specifications. For more tips on car maintenance, traffic, and defensive driving, check out idrivesafely.com What happens if you use conventional oil instead of synthetic?Conventional oil, while cheaper than synthetic, is less refined and can lead to more engine sludge and gunk build-up down the road.
Is there really a difference between synthetic oil and regular oil?Synthetic oil moves with less friction through the motor because it has molecules of the same size and structure, resulting in greater horsepower and engine efficiency than regular oil, which has uneven molecules. Synthetic oil provides superior engine wear protection over conventional oil.
Is there a downside to synthetic oil?A few disadvantages of synthetic oil to be aware of include: Probably the most glaring downside of synthetic oil is the cost. The price of synthetic oil is around two to four times the price of conventional oil. Synthetics may be more prone to additives precipitation during cold storage conditions.
When should you not use synthetic oil?This being said, however, it is still not recommended to use synthetic oil in engines that have experienced significant actions – specifically, those that have reached around 75,000 miles on the odometer.
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Difference between conventional and synthetic oil change
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