Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

The debate between synthetic vs. conventional oil is an interesting one, and it can have a significant effect on drivers throughout Fishers, Indianapolis, and Noblesville. Both options feature advantages and disadvantages, so our team at Andy Mohr Buick GMC put this article together with the hopes of providing some clarification for intrigued drivers. 

So, keep reading to learn what kind of oil change your vehicle needs!

Schedule Service

An Introduction To Conventional Oil  

Conventional oil, as one might expect, is the older, more traditional oil used in automobiles. This oil is extracted from crude oil. Crude oil is a naturally-occurring liquid fossil fuel. So, what’s the purpose of this oil, you might ask?

Well, motor oil has numerous responsibilities. First, it serves as a lubricant for the many moving parts underneath the hood of your vehicle. These parts often grind together, and the oil helps to reduce friction and wear and tear. Also, as these parts move at high speeds, or for long periods of time, they generate tremendous amounts of heat. Motor oil will help keep the entire engine from overheating. 

Finally, another aspect of conventional oil, and motor oil in general, is its cleaning effects. Whether it’s loose debris or dust particles, your engine would quickly become clogged with gunk after heavy usage. The oil actually collects this debris as it circulates through the engine, and traps it inside the filter. 

 

An Introduction To Synthetic Oil 

Now that you have a better understanding of conventional oil, and motor oil in general, let’s take a look at synthetic oil. The key difference with synthetic oil is how it’s produced. Rather than occurring naturally, synthetic oil is crafted in a lab.

This tedious process of putting the oil together molecule-by-molecule does have its benefits. First, synthetic oil often performs better under strenuous circumstances such as intense heat or long-term use. This also makes it a more desirable option for drivers with large vehicles, such as trucks or spacious SUVs. Synthetic oil doesn’t have to be changed as often as conventional oil, either.

Ultimately, this artificial alternative to traditional oil offers numerous advantages, but that doesn’t make it definitively better for your vehicle.

 

The Great Debate: Synthetic Vs Conventional 

So, which oil should you go with? Like most things in life, there’s really no straightforward answer, as it depends on numerous variables. 

To start, you have to consider the vehicle you drive. The larger it is, the more reason you have to select synthetic. You also have to consider your personal driving habits. If you drive a lot, or expose your car to strenuous weather, then synthetic will likely serve you better in the long run.

Alternatively, if you have a smaller sedan, and are keen to change your oil regularly, conventional makes a lot of sense. 

The best thing to do is to take an objective approach regarding your various driving habits and the surrounding weather conditions in your area, and make an educated call using the information provided in this article as a helpful guide.

 

The Conclusion 

The type of motor oil you put in your car matters; there’s not much argument there. So, for any drivers near Fishers, Indianapolis, or Noblesville who want to learn more about this debate, or want to have their oil changed, just contact Andy Mohr Buick GMC today.