Conventional vs Synthetic Blend vs Full Synthetic Oil

When it comes to motor oil, you have two main options – conventional or synthetic. The differences between the two begin at the molecular level and continue all the way up to how the oil is manufactured and processed. Conventional oil will cost less than the synthetic but will require more frequent oil changes. If you decide to go with the synthetic motor oil – depending on your driving habits – it is recommended you change your oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles. Here are a few key differences to consider when deciding to go with conventional or synthetic oil.

Conventional Motor Oil

Conventional motor oil is derived from crude oil and contains impurities. There are no additives added to the oil and it has irregularities at the molecular level. Conventional oil will accomplish the basic task of lubricating your engine by coating the vital parts of your engine that run at high speeds and providing a barrier against engine wear.

Conventional motor oil will break down quicker than synthetic motor oil and require more frequent oil changes. As conventional oil ages, it begins to leave carbon deposits in your engine forming “engine sludge” with continued use. This engine sludge can reduce the life of your engine.

In extremely hot or cold conditions, conventional motor oil can be susceptible to the elements. In high heat, conventional oil can start to boil off causing a loss of lubrication to engine parts running at high speeds. In very cold conditions, conventional oil can become thick and less fluid, meaning it may not reach all of the vital engine parts quickly enough as the engine warms up, which can lead to damage.

Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Synthetic Blend oil is kind of like a hybrid of conventional oil and full synthetic oil. The two oils are basically mixed together so that you’ll have oil that is a little bit better than conventional oil. Most blend oils will have a synthetic oil content varying from 10% to as much as 25%. The idea behind the creation of such motor oils is all about offering some of the inherent benefits of synthetic oil, while still sticking to conventional motor oil as the prime component. While these motor oils offer marginally better performance under extreme temperature conditions, compared to conventional oils, they do not provide the full import of the advantages that synthetic oils offer.

Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Contains a mixture of additives that allow the oil to break down slower and provide greater lubrication for your engine. Synthetic oil offers better performance in extreme cold or extreme heat. The synthetic oil flows and coats engine parts quicker in the cold of winter and break down slower in the extreme heat of the summer and continue to protect your engine from wear.

The benefits of synthetic also include extending the life of your engine. At the molecular level, synthetic oil is uniform. Due to a refining and purification process, it will keep your engine cleaner and last longer, resulting in a clean running engine for years to come. Synthetic oil has also been shown to improve fuel economy and engine performance when compared to conventional oils.

Synthetic oil is continuing to see improvements in modern technology and chemistry. While the cost of synthetics is greater in the short term, the long-term effects of using synthetic oil over conventional will result in a car that will last longer and require less frequent oil changes.