Most car owners don't understand much of what goes on under the hood of their car or truck. And that's just fine! You certainly don't need to be a mechanic to get yourself around town in your vehicle of choice. However, picking up just a bit of basic knowledge along the way can be a big help when it comes time to have service performed. Armed with some information, you will be able to make smart choices about the care of your engine.
In this article, we are going to cover a topic which is an important one in the modern automotive world - synthetic vs conventional oil. In recent years, synthetic oils have become far more common in gas-powered engines, for a variety of reasons. You should know which one your engine requires, and also how often that oil needs to be changed. Let's take a closer look at this subject below.
A Quick Explanation
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it will be worthwhile to quickly explain what we mean by 'conventional' and 'synthetic' oil. As the name might indicate, conventional oil is the kind that has traditionally been used in vehicles with gas engines. It is a product that is derived from crude oil, and it has done an excellent job for decades providing the lubrication engines need to keep running effectively day after day. Considering the difficulty of the task that is keeping an engine running smoothly at high temperatures, conventional oil does an impressive job to be sure.
Synthetic oil is simply an oil that has been modified to provide it with added performance characteristics. The benefits that are offered by synthetic oils will vary from oil to oil, and not all vehicles will experience benefits in the same way. However, when you pair the right synthetic oil with the right vehicle, it is possible to get great results. Throughout the rest of this article, we will highlight some of the potential gains you can enjoy if using synthetic.
Less Breakdown, Longer Life
Without a doubt, one of the biggest selling points for synthetic oil is the fact that it will usually last much longer than conventional oil. That means fewer oil changes and less time you have to take out of your schedule to stop by an auto shot for service. Many people wind up skipping oil changes simply because they don't want to bother with the hassle of visiting the shop and waiting while the work is complete. That's a mistake, of course, as oil changes are very important - but it happens nonetheless. By using an oil that will last longer, you won't need to make a point of having your oil changed nearly as frequently. It's entirely possible that your synthetic oil will last twice as long - if not longer - than the conventional, you had been using previously.
Better Lubrication
The whole point of using oil in your engine is to lubricate the moving parts that need to operate at high speed, and high temperature, while the engine runs. Proper lubrication allows the engine to work as it was meant to when assembled at the factor. When an engine is well-lubricated, it should not wear down as much in the long run, meaning you may get a longer overall life out of it. Buying a car is a significant investment, so getting as many miles out of your engine as possible is obviously desirable.
Avoid Unwelcome Deposits
When you use conventional oil, you are going to see a breakdown of that oil over time, and deposits are likely to be left on various surfaces in the engine as a result. This problem can be mitigated to some degree by doing a good job of keeping up with your oil changes, but you are still likely to have some issues with it as the miles add up. With synthetic oil, deposits are less likely to occur. You might even be able to select an oil that actively works to remove the deposits already present in your engine. When long-term care of your engine is one of your top priorities, a synthetic oil makes a lot of sense.
Stable for Various Conditions
Do you let your vehicle sit for long periods of time between uses? Maybe you travel frequently, and your car doesn't get used while you are away. Whatever the case, synthetic oil tends to be more stable than traditional oil, meaning t can hang on to the parts of your engine even while not actively being used. This is important because you will want the oil in the engine to be ready to do its job when you fire it up after a long layoff.
An Important Point
So far, it all sounds pretty good with regard to synthetic oil. And, without a doubt, there is a lot here to like. On the downside, we have to mention that synthetic oil is significantly more expensive than conventional. That probably isn't a surprise, considering the extra steps required to make this type of product. So, when you are factoring in the reduced number of oil changes you'll need with synthetic oil, remember that those oil changes will be costlier. In the end, it's a good idea to consult your owner's manual as well as speak to your mechanic about the right oil for your engine. Each vehicle has its own story, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution here.
At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we make caring for your vehicle an easy task. You won't have to worry about anything because our experienced team will handle the job properly from start to finish. Now that you understand some of the key differences between synthetic and conventional oil, and you have probably determined which one your vehicle requires, the next step is to keep up with your service visits to improve the chances of keeping your vehicle healthy over the long run. Contact Taylor & Sons today to make an appointment!