Synthetic Oil Vs. Conventional Oil

Do you love DIY oil changes? Or are you just curious about the choices you have for motor oil that our service center technicians put in your new or used vehicle? You have two main options for changing the oil in your vehicle: synthetic oil vs. conventional oil. Both are made from crude petroleum, but one protects your modern vehicle’s engine from wear better than the other as you drive along Frazee roads. 

Find out everything you need to know with our comparison between synthetic oil vs. conventional oil, from the experts at Norseman Motors, Inc..

What is Conventional (Regular) Oil?

Conventional oil, or “regular” oil is a petroleum-based liquid that has been used to lubricate the pistons and other moving parts of internal combustion engines for over 100 years to reduce engine wear. Motor oil is refined from crude oil extracted from the ground, and it also serves to protect your car’s engine from overheating.

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil also comes from crude petroleum like regular oil, but it provides enhanced lubrication properties and is more stable. Synthetic oils are designed with more cleansers, stabilizers, and anti-oxidizers to last longer and retain their protective properties more readily. Refineries can pinpoint the exact properties of synthetic oil to make it superior (and also more expensive) than conventional oils.

So when comparing synthetic oil vs. regular oil, synthetic is more expensive but you don’t have to change your oil more often. You actually save money in the long run with synthetic oil. 

Synthetic oils also:

• Are less viscous at lower temperatures
• Offer enhanced engine cleaning properties
• Better protect critical turbocharger parts (when equipped)

When selecting synthetic oil vs. regular oil, a full synthetic variety wins out in newer vehicles.

How Does Full Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blend Differ?

In addition to synthetic oils vs. regular oils (often called mineral oils), there are synthetic blends. A synthetic blend consists of part conventional oil and part synthetic oil, which helps to reduce the initial cost of choosing full synthetic. It also gives your oil enhanced properties vs. standard conventional oil. However, you don’t get the full cleansing and anti-oxidizing capabilities of full synthetic oil vs. a synthetic blend. 

Note: Some new vehicles and high-performance require full synthetic oil vs a synthetic blend or regular oil, and that could just include your GMC vehicle! Be sure to check your owner’s manual or contact our service experts if in doubt about what kind of oil your car requires.

Schedule an Oil Change in Detroit Lakes

Ready to take better care of your vehicle along every Perham drive? Choose synthetic oil vs. regular oil at our service center! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or call (218) 846-8070. We’d be happy to help in any way we can! Remember to also check out our service specials to save money on your next vehicle repair or oil change near Callaway.