Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

Author: Sterling Feathers

Sterling Feathers

Sterling was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and has had a massive passion for cars since he could talk. He studied Business Administration at Ferris State University hoping to run his own car dealership one day. As time went on, Sterling began writing car reviews on his own website until he found his home with us as our first Copywriter! He loves everything about the car culture and was Vice President of the motorsports club during his time at Ferris. Sterling enjoys going to every car show and meet possible, attending autocross events, and going for long road cruises with other members in the car scene. He currently drives a 2016 Volkswagen GTI with a stage 2 tune, downpipe, BC Racing coilovers, and a set of Artisa ArtFormed Elders.

January 20, 2021

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is made from artificial chemical compounds to create a longer-lasting, less volatile lubricant for your engine. An issue with Conventional oil is that it's made from pure crude oil and the viscosity changes greatly depending on the temperature. When the oil gets cold, it's very thick and sludgy, then when it's warm, the oil becomes very thin and light.

Synthetic oil uses artificially created chemical compounds that allow the oil to maintain a consistent viscosity that won't fluctuate as much depending on the temperature. The result is a more reliable, longer lasting oil that can function as well in the cold as it can in heat. 

Due to the artificial chemical compounds in synthetic oil, there are fewer contaminants within the oil itself. This prevents sludge in the engine and keeps things running clean and smooth.

The biggest disadvantage to synthetic oil is the cost. Due to the added chemicals and more difficult creation process, synthetic oil usually costs at least double what the conventional counterpart costs.

What Type of Oil Should I Run?

Sythetic oil is the better option in every category except cost. All of the additives and the chemical makeup of the oil help keep your engine clean and free of sludge buildup which in turn should make your engine last a little longer. Synthetic oil also has a longer change interval, so while it tends to cost more when it comes time for an oil change, you'll be changing that oil less frequently. 

When deciding what oil to run in your vehicle, synthetic oil is always a good idea. However, we know it can get a little bit expensive so consult your owners manual or local dealership to determine whether your vehicle requires synthetic oil. If it doesn't you should be able to use the conventional oil, just know that there are a lot of benefits if you make the switch to synthetic.