All vehicles, except electric cars, need to have their oil changed at regularly scheduled intervals. Oil keeps the engine’s moving parts lubricated so they can run smoothly. Without lubricant, the moving parts will wear faster, causing expensive problems down the track.
When it comes to changing your engine oil, you might be wondering if you should choose conventional or synthetic oil. While synthetic oil is more expensive to buy, it lasts longer, making it a better investment in the long run.
How long does synthetic oil last in an engine?
Synthetic oil generally lasts around 6 months to one year before it needs to be replaced. A good time to have this done is during your scheduled service. Keep in mind that factors like the age of your car, the brand of synthetic oil you’ve used, the distance you drive, and your driving conditions all impact how long synthetic oil lasts and can mean that the oil might need to be replaced sooner.
What is the difference between synthetic oil and regular oil?
Synthetic oil is made from a base oil, power additives and a carrier oil that enforces an even distribution of the additives. It consists of man-made chemical compounds, while regular oil is much less refined.
What are the benefits of synthetic oil instead of conventional oil?
Synthetic oil is generally considered the best oil for your car because it’s designed for performance. It protects against engine wear by forming a fluid film that prevents the metal components from making contact and rubbing against each other.
Another big advantage of using synthetic oil is that it retains its viscosity regardless of the temperature. In summer when the temperatures soar, it’s designed to offer improved heat resistance. This aspect is also important because your engine heats up when you drive your car.
Synthetic oil also works better in cooler temperatures because it doesn’t contain any waxes, so it doesn’t thicken in the cold like conventional oils do. This means it can reach the vital engine components more quickly to provide immediate engine protection. In this way, synthetic oil also helps to increase your fuel economy because it flows readily as soon as you start your car.
That means filling up less often and saving some money.
Using synthetic oil also helps to keep your engine cleaner. This is because it contains fewer impurities than conventional oil, and as a result, doesn’t have the same level of deposits and sludge forming that conventional oil does.
Synthetic oil outperforms conventional oil on nearly all counts. If you would like to know more about the best option for your vehicle, speak to one of our expert mechanics during your next service.
