Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil at Expressway Toyota in Boston, MA

What is the difference between Synthetic and Conventional Oil?

Synthetic oil was first developed in 1929, but with technology and access to resources, it is now used to accommodate jets, high-performance vehicles, and everyday consumer vehicles (I Drive Safely). Synthetic oil is typically referred to as “man-made” oil. It is more expensive, but it is also the better oil choice. Synthetic oil is distilled, purified and broken down into basic molecules (Exxon Mobil Corporation). Synthetic oil removes impurities from crude oil, and “enables individual molecules to be tailored to the demands of modern engines” (Exxon Mobil Corporation). The individual molecules provide higher levels of protection and performance than most conventional oils do.

Conventional oil is the “standard” new-car oil. Conventional oil is organic, which is refined crude oil pumped from the ground (Advance Auto Parts). With conventional oil, you can go about 3,000-5,000 miles before needing an oil change. With synthetic oil, you can probably go about 8,000-10,000 miles before changing the oil.

Advantages of using Synthetic Oil:

1. Fewer emissions
2. Better fuel and oil economy
3. Increased engine protection and wear from lower friction
4. Longer intervals between oil changes
5. Reduced engine drag from greater resistance to thickening
6. Oil effectiveness/quality is more predictable and uniform
7. Better all-weather protection
8. Quicker engine start time
9. Helps clean engine sludge and deposits

(I Drive Safely)

“According to industry tests, synthetic oil engines perform 47% better than engines using conventional motor oil”. – AAA (I Drive Safely)

What is a Synthetic Blend?

Synthetic blends are usually a blend of high-quality and lower-quality conventional base oils, or all high-quality base conventional oils (Exxon Mobil Corporation). Synthetic blends are also called “semi-refined” oils, which are just actually less refined that full synthetic oils (I Drive Safely). You still get the same advantage of additives and more refinement, but you’ll have more impurities and there is actually the inconsistent molecular size of conventional oil in the blends.

Which kind of oil should I use?

For starters, be sure to read your vehicle owners’ manuals as it will list what type of oil the automaker recommends for your vehicle. There’s contributing factors to deciding on oil, such as the kind of engine your vehicle has, the climate you live in, etc., but simply put – synthetic oil is “better” oil.

Our Toyota factory-trained technicians at Expressway Toyota can further help explain the differences of Synthetic and Conventional Oil, and which kind you should be using. Be sure to stop in at Expressway Toyota for your oil change – located in Boston, MA!

References

Advance Auto Parts. The Advance Team. Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil. June 2019.

Exxon Mobil Corporation. Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil. June 2019.

Google Images. June 2019.

I Drive Safely. Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil. June 2019.