Synthetic vs Conventional Oil


 


Advantages of Synthetic Motor Oil over Regular oil

Synthetic motor oils which are more expensive are marketed and and generally recognized as delivering better performance as opposed to conventional standard motor oils. The general consensus is that Synthetic motor oils are superior in the several key areas. Synthetic motor oil has multiple advantages over conventional oils and is better in performance in many areas. Nearly every engine can benefit from a full synthetic motor oil whether required by the manufacturer’s or not.

1. It is proven that they provide better protection from oil loss due to burn off or evaporation and require less frequent oil changes.

2. They maintain their viscosity longer and enable improved protection from high heat levels delivering better thermal stability and higher oxidation resistance. This enables engine parts to resist wear from thermal breakdown. These same factors allow for improved protection when operating vehicles hauling heavy loads such as towing, rapid accelerations and navigating hills and steep inclines.

3. Synthetic oils are believed to provide and enable greater deposit control protection improving engine cleanliness and in effect longevity. There are minimal contaminants in synthetic oil. Conventional oils, which are produced in nature from dead dinosaurs and long decayed organic matter contain trace amounts of contaminant such as wax, sulfur, tars that enhance deterioration and sludge buildup.

4. Some Synthetic oils are formulated to provide better low temperature performance. This includes better low temperature flow / pumpability as opposed to trying to pump cold thickened molasses style oil. This enables longevity for oil pumps, pistons and so forth.

There is a commonly cited 'urban legend' that Synthetic engine oils can cause leaks and wear down seals in an engine. Synthetic oil does not and has never been proven to deteriorate engine seals or gaskets. It may however find pre-existing leaks. The smaller molecules of synthetic oil are naturally able to pass through smaller spaces, cracks and crevices than the larger molecules of conventional oil.




Full Synthetic / Part Synthetic or Synthetic Blend Motor Oils

Synthetic motor oils are classified as full or part synthetic. In a full synthetic motor oil, the entire content is comprised of hydrocarbons that have been synthesized to have a hardier molecular structure. The oil molecules are more uniform which translates to better engine performance. Regular motor oil which uses base oil more dependent on the properties of the raw crude oil.

Part synthetic oil contains a blend of synthetic and conventional base oil elements. The synthetic aspect of part synthetic oils provides enhanced performance and protection somewhere between conventional and full synthetics, makes sense doesn't it?

We advise that you follow the manufacturers’ oil specification recommendations and oil change intervals.

Switching From Conventional to Synthetic Oil

Switching between synthetic and conventional oils has not been proven to cause any damage to an engine.

Older cars typically use conventional instead of synthetic motor oils. Switching to synthetic can damage your engine and cause engine leaks.

The debate is hotly contested whether switching to synthetic oil in older cars is dangerous. Synthetic oils do offer multiple benefits to new cars, however, there are some risks you should be aware of if you own an older vehicle.

You CAN you mix synthetic oil with regular oil, it PROBABLY won’t damage your engine, just like drinking it probably won't kill you [But it could].

Using synthetic blend / part synthetic after using full synthetic is also something you CAN do but it's not really a good practice. All you're doing is diluting the power of the full synthetic.

 

See:  The Ultimate Synthetic Motor Oil Showdown