Is synthetic or conventional oil better for your vehicle?

Motor oil is essential for keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Its main job is to lubricate the moving parts of the engine, preventing friction and overheating that could harm the engine. However, modern motor oils do more than just lubricate. They also help keep the engine clean, protect it from wear and corrosion, and offer other benefits. Synthetic oil has played a significant role in advancing motor oil technology. Although it was initially used in aircraft engines and high-performance vehicles, it has become increasingly popular among everyday car owners, surpassing conventional oil. But is it necessary to switch to synthetic oil? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about motor oil.

What is the difference?

Although synthetic oil and conventional oil may look the same, they are actually quite different at a molecular level. Conventional oil is less chemically stable, which means it breaks down and loses its qualities more quickly over time compared to synthetic oil. On the other hand, synthetic oil is more chemically stable, allowing it to maintain its performance for a longer period. This stability enables longer intervals between oil changes.

Advantages / Disadvantages

Some other advantages you can expect to see from synthetic oil is the way it handles drastic changing temperatures. Which is important for our ever-changing Montana weather. On top of that the synthetic oil has more high-quality additives leaving you with a cleaner engine. However, conventional oil has a price advantage. Conventional oil is estimated at 38 dollars an oil change whereas you can expect to pay upwards of 70 dollars for synthetic. With that being said which one should you choose?

Which one is better?

It really comes down to the age of your vehicle, your budget, and your driving habits along with habitat. If you have an older vehicle and live in a place of changing temperatures, I’d recommend using synthetic oil. In the situation your vehicle is newer and you do primarily city driving with no drastic changes in temperature, conventional oil would be a great option for you.

If you ever have any questions regarding your oil type feel free to reach out to your local oil mechanic. You can also find oil recommended for your vehicle in specific through looking at your vehicles owners manual.