Synthetic vs Conventional Oil: Which One is Right for You?

The Cost of Synthetic vs Conventional Oil Changes: Is It Worth It?

The Benefits of Synthetic Oil: Improved Performance and Longer Lifespan

You might be tasked with choosing between synthetic or conventional oil for your vehicle. Synthetic oil is a lower viscosity type than conventional oil. This means it will flow easier than conventional oil and improve the engine’s fuel efficiency. Synthetic oil was once used only for high-performance vehicles but is now found in nearly all types of vehicles.

Conventional Oil: Affordable and Reliable, But Is It Outdated?

Motor oil is critical in keeping your car running smoothly. Over the years, oil has improved with the creation of synthetic oils. At one point in time, they were only primarily in aircraft engines and high-performance vehicles. However, it’s become common for everyday car owners to use synthetic oil instead of conventional oil. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, oils are significantly different when you get down to the molecular level. Conventional oil is derived from refined crude oil. On the other hand, synthetic oil is an engineered product made from high-quality base oils. You’ll find it in both synthetic and synthetic blend varieties. Conventional oil is less chemically stable than synthetic oil, and this causes it to break down and lose its protective qualities faster. Synthetic oils keep your car engine cleaner and more protected, and synthetic oils resist damage from high temperatures better than conventional oil in cold temperatures. Generally, using synthetic oil will allow for longer intervals between your oil changes, but this highly depends on your synthetic oil brand. Brand recommendations can range from 3,000 miles to 20,000 miles between oil changes. Other factors, such as your driving style and conditions, will affect how often you should have your oil changed. Conventional oil may initially cost you less for the oil change, but over time, it can cost a lot less when it comes to repairs. Synthetic oil will last longer and provide better protection for your engine over time than conventional oil.

Bring Your Oil Change Problems to Us

Whether you want a conventional or synthetic oil change, you can bring your car to us at Jeff’s Auto Repair if you’re in the Seattle, Washington, area. Our ASE-certified technicians look forward to helping you with your repair and maintenance needs. We work on any make and model of car, including European, import, and domestic cars. We understand that life on the road is tough on your vehicle’s engine and components. So, we will work to provide you with the maintenance you need to keep your vehicle in running order. Give us a call today at one of our three locations to schedule your next oil change. You’ll be glad you did.