Every vehicle requires regular engine oil changes to maintain optimal performance.If you’re still using conventional oil, your technician may have suggested transitioning to synthetic oil. But what makes synthetic oil a superior choice?
Contrary to what some might assume, synthetic oils are not merely a marketing ploy by car care companies.
These oils provide tangible benefits, helping cars operate more efficiently and potentially saving you a considerable amount of money over time.
Below, we outline the top seven advantages of using full synthetic oil in your vehicle.
The Benefits of Synthetic Oil
Why consider switching to fully synthetic oil? If conventional oil has served your vehicle well so far, you might feel reluctant to make a change.
It’s understandable; engine oil is crucial for your car, and altering what you use might feel unnecessary without compelling reasons.
However, synthetic oil offers numerous benefits that make the switch worthwhile. Here are the key advantages:
Viscosity
Viscosity refers to an oil’s resistance to flow—or how thick it is. Poor viscosity can hinder the oil’s ability to circulate throughout your engine.
This issue is particularly relevant in modern vehicles, which often have compact engines with narrower oil lines and pathways.
Synthetic oils possess superior viscosity compared to conventional oils, ensuring smooth flow through even the narrowest engine channels. This leads to improved lubrication and a more efficiently running engine.
Weather Performance
Traditional engine oils can struggle in extreme temperatures. This is especially problematic in areas like northern Virginia, where summers are hot and humid, and winters often bring freezing conditions.
Cold temperatures can increase conventional oil’s viscosity, making it harder to circulate when you start your vehicle. Conversely, high heat can cause these oils to evaporate or break down.
Synthetic oils handle both temperature extremes far better. They maintain smooth flow during cold winters and exhibit greater stability under intense summer heat.
Engine Protection
As your engine runs, its components continuously grind against each other.
Engine oil acts as a lubricant, preventing significant damage. However, poor viscosity and temperature extremes can compromise conventional oil’s ability to provide proper lubrication.
Synthetic oils excel in flow characteristics and temperature resistance, offering superior engine protection.
They minimize wear and tear, helping your engine last longer and perform better over time.
Oil Lifespan
The conditions inside an engine are harsh. Combustion, oxidation, water exposure, and particle contamination degrade oil over time, transforming conventional oils into thick sludge that clogs vital pathways.
Synthetic oils resist these degradation factors far better, maintaining their quality and performance longer than traditional oils.
Turbocharger Protection
Many modern vehicles feature turbochargers and compact engines, which operate at higher temperatures and speeds than traditional engines. These high-performance components require reliable lubrication.
Conventional oils often degrade in such extreme conditions and may fail to reach all parts of a compact engine.
Synthetic oils, however, flow effortlessly through turbocharged engines and withstand the intense heat, ensuring proper lubrication and protection.
Improved Mileage
An overworked engine consumes more fuel. Without proper lubrication, its components can struggle to move efficiently, leading to increased wear and fuel consumption.
Thanks to their superior viscosity, synthetic oils reach areas that conventional oils might miss, providing better lubrication.
This can result in improved fuel efficiency under certain driving conditions.
Fewer Emissions
Lastly, synthetic oil can contribute to a cleaner-running vehicle. By providing better lubrication and smoother flow, it helps your engine use fuel more efficiently, reducing emissions.
Moreover, synthetic oils are less prone to contamination. Contaminants in conventional oils can burn off at high engine temperatures, degrading the oil and producing harmful emissions.
Synthetics remain cleaner for longer, reducing the environmental impact.
What Is Synthetic Oil?
You now know the benefits of synthetic oil, but what exactly is it?
Synthetic oils are not new; they’ve been around for nearly a century. These oils consist of a base oil enhanced with additives to improve performance. Synthetic oils generally fall into three categories:
1. High-grade full synthetic oils
2. Low-grade full synthetic oils
3. Synthetic blends
Unlike conventional oils, high-grade full synthetic oils are not derived from crude petroleum. Instead, their base oils are composed of engineered chemical compounds, allowing manufacturers to fine-tune their performance.
Some low-grade synthetic oils still use refined crude oil as their base. This refinement process yields a more consistent molecular structure and higher purity compared to traditional oils, enhancing their performance.
Synthetic blends combine conventional and synthetic oils. While they perform better than traditional oils, they cannot match the quality of full synthetic oils.
Are There Downsides to Synthetic Oils?
Despite their many advantages, synthetic oils do have one notable drawback: cost.
Producing synthetic oil is a more complex and expensive process than manufacturing conventional oil.
As a result, synthetic oils are significantly pricier—costing six to ten times more than traditional oils.
However, this higher upfront cost can be deceptive. While you may pay more initially, synthetic oils can save money over time.
Their superior performance helps extend your engine’s lifespan, reducing the need for costly repairs.
Switching to synthetic oil is an investment in your vehicle’s longevity. Though the price tag might seem steep now, the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial expense.
How Often Should Synthetic Oil Be Changed?
Synthetic oils last longer than conventional oils, but they still require periodic changes. Over time, even synthetic oils degrade due to exposure to engine heat and contaminants.
Some manufacturers claim their synthetic oils can last tens of thousands of miles. However, these claims are often based on ideal conditions that may not reflect real-world driving.
A good general guideline is to change synthetic oil every 6,000 to 15,000 miles. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for a more accurate recommendation based on your car’s make and model.
Driving habits and environmental conditions can also affect how often you need to change your oil.
If you recently switched to synthetic oil, consider an earlier oil change. Synthetic oils can clean out deposits and sludge left behind by conventional oil, which is beneficial for your engine’s health.
Reliable Oil Change Service in Chantilly and Warrenton, VA
Synthetic oils are an excellent choice for drivers in northern Virginia. The region’s hot summers and freezing winters can degrade conventional oils quickly, while synthetic oils are built to withstand these conditions and protect your engine.
At Advanced Automotive, we have over 35 years of experience providing professional oil change services in Chantilly and Warrenton, VA.
Our ASE-certified technicians are well-versed in servicing all makes and models.We deliver quick, affordable, and reliable oil changes.
If you’re considering switching to synthetic oil, our team is here to help. Every oil change includes a free courtesy check, giving you a no-pressure assessment of whether synthetic oil is right for your vehicle.
While you wait, relax in our comfortable waiting area with complimentary coffee, tea, Wi-Fi, and television.