Synthetic Oil vs. Regular Oil: What’s the Difference?

2024 GMC Yukon XL Front Grille

might get a choice of synthetic oil or regular oil. What’s the difference? In this guide, Spitzer Buick GMC Parma compares synthetic oil vs. regular oil to help you understand their properties and learn what’s best for your vehicle. Read ahead for details!

What Is Conventional (Regular) Oil?

Conventional oil, also known as “regular” oil, is a petroleum-based fluid that protects a gas-powered vehicle’s internal combustion engine and keeps it running smoothly in Brooklyn. The oil provides lubrication for the engine’s moving parts, reducing friction and wear. Another role of motor oil is to help prevent engine damage that could result from high temperatures. Conventional oil comes from crude oil mined underground. 

What Is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is also petroleum-based, but its composition is more stabilized. Plus, synthetic oil offers superior lubricating properties compared to regular oil. Oxidation is less rapid in synthetic oil, which helps it retain its protective properties between oil changes. These benefits, combined with the fact that synthetic oils are chemically developed from petrochemicals in processes that target special properties, mean that synthetic oil costs more than regular oil. Here are a few more quick facts about synthetic motor oils:

  • Synthetic oils are less viscous at low temperatures
  • Synthetic oils contain enhanced cleaning properties 
  • For vehicles with turbocharged engines, synthetic oils offer superior protection for the turbocharger components
  • Synthetic oil lasts longer than regular oil, which helps offset the added cost for Brook Park drivers

Full Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blend

We’ve compared synthetic oil vs. regular oil at length, but what about full synthetic oil vs. synthetic blends? As the name suggests, a synthetic oil blend contains both synthetic and conventional oil, made to offer some of the benefits of synthetic without paying quite as much extra for full synthetic. 

Can you use a synthetic blend in your vehicle? Some models strictly require full synthetic oil to optimize engine performance in Independence and beyond, which you can learn by consulting your owner’s manual. 

Book an Oil Change in Parma

Want more information about full synthetic oil vs. synthetic blends? Submit a service contact form online, and a friendly advisor will be in touch to help! You can count on our service team to do what’s best for your vehicle when you schedule service for an oil change in Parma. We hope to see you soon!

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6607 Brookpark Rd, Parma, OH, 44129

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Spitzer Buick GMC Parma 41.4186, -81.7294.