What Kind of Oil Does Your Car Need?

You may have wondered before- should I be using synthetic oil or conventional oil in my car? Better yet, what’s the difference?

First things first, let’s get some definitions out of the way.

Motor oil aka engine oil aka engine lubricant is a liquid lubricant used to reduce the friction and wear on the moving parts in your internal combustion engine. Synthetic oil is a man made lubricant made with highly refined crude oil (gotten from deep underground, the same as conventional or traditional oil). They both serve the same purpose, but have different pros and cons of usage and are chemically different in their end product state.

Advantages of Synthetic Oil

• Better resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown, and excess oil “sludge” issues
• Less environmental waste/emissions
• Better lubrication in extreme weather conditions
• Increased fuel performance (up to 5% have been documented in some tests!)
• Better automotive performance (i.e. increased horsepower and torque)
• Reduced breakdown – so you don’t have to change it as often!

Advantages of Conventional Oil

• Costs less- synthetic oil is usually more expensive per quart than conventional oil
• Readily available and easy to find
• Better for some older model vehicles (Pro Tip: always check your owner’s manual – your manufacturer will tell you the best type of oil for your specific vehicle!)

We may sound like a broken record when we say familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual, but it really is an important tool! Every car is different and has different needs according to the manufacturer’s guidance. When making a decision about what oil to put into your engine, it’s always best to consult the experts.