What Type of Oil Does Your Car Need?

Synthetic vs Conventional Oil

Many people believe that synthetic engine oil is the best oil for your engine, mostly because of its higher price tag. However, even though synthetic oil doesn't need to be changed as frequently as conventional oil, it's not inherently better or worse.

Conventional oil begins its lifecycle as crude oil, mined from the earth. After going through a refinement process with other ingredients, the oil is ready for use in your engine. Some suggest that conventional oil is ideal for vehicles with low mileage or for breaking in a new engine. Your oil change interval will be more frequent with conventional oil, but the oil does a great job at lubricating the moving parts of the engine and dispersing heat. However, some automotive experts have suggested switching to synthetic oil once mileage has reached a few thousand.

One of the perks of conventional oil is that it's significantly less expensive than synthetic oil. It's also recommended by virtually all automotive manufacturers for the average driver. Unless your engine specifically requires synthetic oil, you could save a great deal of money by using conventional oil, instead. However, some drivers who experience extreme temperatures or dusty conditions while driving may need the benefits of a synthetic oil.

Understanding Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oil has been further refined to hold a longer lifespan. Therefore, you likely won't have to replace the oil nearly as often as you would if you were using conventional motor oil. Because synthetic oil takes longer to break down, you'll want to be sure that you're changing it at the proper intervals. Be sure to consult your owner's manual or check with a certified technician at your local service center.

In addition to offering increased lubrication, synthetic oil has been engineered to perform well in extremely high and low temperatures. In fact, it outperforms conventional oil in both conditions. Synthetic oil also works to keep the engine clean of debris, much like conventional oil does.

Who Benefits from Synthetic Oil?

• Towing large loads
• Start/stop driving
• Short trips
• High horsepower engines
• Frequent temperatures below 10 degrees or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit

If your engine requires synthetic oil (which would be specified in the owner's manual), then you should never use conventional oil. Otherwise, the choice is up to you. However, if any of the items mentioned above sound like you or your vehicle, then you might want to consider using synthetic oil to increase the lifespan of your engine.

Schedule Your Oil Change Today

Getting regular oil changes is a great way to keep your car and its engine running smoothly. If you're not sure what type of oil to use in your engine, you can consult the vehicle's owner's manual or contact your local service center.

For more information on the type of oil your car needs, please contact us at Genesis of Doylestown. We proudly serve drivers from across the Doylestown, Chalfont, and Warrington area with professional and reliable automotive service. If your vehicle is due for an oil change, you can easily schedule one now online.