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Motor oil is essential for lubricating the metal parts in your vehicle's engine and preventing it from overheating and sustaining irreparable damage. Since not all motor oils are the same, it's important to know what your options are to help you make an informed choice for your vehicle. Our team at Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CJDR) Plano has compiled this guide to help you learn more about synthetic oil vs. conventional oil.
Oil Basics
Motor oil creates a lubricating layer between the engine's moving metal parts, which reduces friction and keeps them at optimal temperatures. Oil tends to lose its lubricating properties over time due to oxidation, contamination, and thermal breakdown. You should typically change your vehicle's oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. You'll find the exact interval for your specific vehicle in your owner's manual. Many modern cars have sensors that will alert you if your oil level or quality drops below a certain standard.
What Is Conventional Oil?
Conventional oil, also known as mineral oil, is derived from crude oil. Although it's completely natural, it usually contains certain chemical additives to increase its viscosity, corrosion resistance, and lubrication properties, even at high temperatures. Although conventional oil adequately protects most types of engines, it displays limitations in extreme cold or hot temperatures. It's usually recommended for classic cars or vehicles that don't ever push their engine to the limit.
What Is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic oil is created with chemically modified oil components. It was developed almost 100 years ago but was initially only used for high-performance vehicles and aircraft. Synthetic oil typically has a more consistent composition and contains fewer contaminants than conventional oil. Synthetic oil offers various advantages over conventional oil.
It Lasts Longer
If your car uses synthetic oil, you'll have more time between oil change intervals. Although synthetic oil costs around 30% more than conventional oil, it retains its lubricating properties much longer. While conventional oil needs to be changed approximately every 5,000 miles, synthetic oil usually lasts for 10,000 miles or more. This superior resistance to degradation will save you both time and money.
It Has a More Consistent Composition
Like most natural products, many factors can affect the composition and properties of conventional oil, including the area where it was extracted. This inconsistency can alter its life span, making it more difficult to predict the exact time when to change the oil. Synthetic oil is made from specific chemicals and additives, ensuring structural consistency and integrity. This provides superior lubrication properties and makes it less prone to degradation and oxidation.
It Can Help Your Engine Last Longer
Although it's filtered and refined, conventional oil may still retain some harmful particles that bind together over time, creating deposits inside the engine block. Synthetic oil is much smoother with fewer contaminants. This can improve your engine's efficiency and extend its life span.
It Can Lower Your Fuel Consumption
Synthetic oil is smoother with fewer harmful particles than conventional oil, which protects your engine and improves your fuel economy. Its superior lubricating properties help reduce friction and resistance between the moving metal parts and increase your car's fuel efficiency.
It Retains Its Properties Even in Extreme Temperatures
Conventional oil tends to get thinner in hot temperatures and thicker in cold conditions, affecting its consistency and ability to lubricate your engine properly. Synthetic oil better retains its properties in extreme temperatures. Its specific viscosity levels in hot and cold weather make it much more appropriate for vehicles that constantly operate in adverse weather conditions.
It Does Less Damage to the Engine on Cold Starts
Since conventional oil tends to thicken in cold weather, it takes longer to lubricate all the engine's components when starting your car. Over time, this can lead to various engine issues due to friction as a result of inadequate lubrication. Synthetic oil is designed to remain consistent, even in low temperatures, reaching the engine components much faster when you start your car on a cold winter morning.
Can You Switch From Regular Oil To Synthetic Oil?
You can usually switch from conventional to synthetic oil without a problem. While some engine types are specifically designed to only work with conventional oil, most cars can use both types. If your vehicle's mileage exceeds 75,000 miles and has only used conventional oil, it's advisable to adhere to the initial oil replacement intervals for the first few oil changes. Although synthetic oil lasts longer, there's likely a buildup of debris inside the engine, so changing oil at smaller intervals will clean it out quicker.
If you decide to switch from conventional to synthetic oil, you should also replace your oil filter. Make sure you use a filter specifically designed for synthetic oil to prevent it from wearing out earlier than the oil.
Change Your Oil at Huffines CJDR Plano
When it's time to change your car's motor oil, you should have it done by experienced auto technicians. At Huffines CJDR Plano, in Plano, Texas, our express lane service is a quick and convenient way to replace your oil and filters and perform any other routine maintenance tasks your car may need. We only use Pennzoil motor oil, and we'll make sure to use the type that matches your vehicle's specifications. Contact us today to schedule your visit.
Image by Chad Kirchoff is licensed with Unsplash License