Synthetic vs Conventional Oil & Which should You be Using?

Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil?

If you are wondering if you should switch the type of oil that you are using in your vehicle then don’t feel alone. Thousands of Automotive customers turn that question over in their heads endlessly to no avail. This is why we are here to help.

Before you decide what to do, you need to understand that Synthetic Oils are superior to Conventional Oils. They last longer and are able to withstand harsh temperatures better than Conventional Oil. This is because they are made in a lab, where the molecules are quite literally engineered to perform better.

Unfortunately, because so much time goes into making Synthetic Oils, they can cost much, much more than Conventional Oil. If you search Social Media platforms, like Facebook, I guarantee that there are those complaining about how much they just spent on their last oil change because a Synthetic, or a Synthetic Blend, Oil was used.

To put things in perspective, depending on the car and where you live, an Oil Change using Conventional Oil rarely tops $60 bucks. Oil Changes involving a Synthetic Oil can go as high as $120. To top it off, studies show that even with being able to go longer between Oil Changes when using Synthetic, customers’ pocketbooks don’t see that big of a difference.

So, this brings us back to should you be using Synthetic Oil during your vehicle’s Oil Changes? More likely than not, the answer is no.

If you change your oil regularly, the recommended interval is every 3 months or 3,000 miles, then you don’t need to use Synthetic Oil. If you live in a climate where you could regularly fry an egg on the road, or where your pipes bursting from freezing temperatures is a regular occurrence, then you could benefit from Synthetic Oil Changes. If not, then Conventional Oil is perfectly fine.

The only time to disregard your punctuality or climate, would be if your owner’s manual specifically says otherwise. If your owner’s manual requires that you use Full Synthetic Oil, or a Synthetic Blend, then that is what you need to use. Otherwise, save your money, and stick with Conventional.

Regardless of whether you use Synthetic or Conventional Oil, coming in for regular Oil Changes at 3,000 mile or 3-month intervals is alwaysa good practice. Not only does it ensure you’re running fresh oil in your engine, but it allows your Mechanic to keep a close eye by doing regular courtesy inspections.

Pugh’s Automotive Service in Dover, DE performs Free Courtesy Inspections during all Oil Changes. To schedule an appointment, visit our website at www.pughsservice.com/auto or call (302)734-4231.