What makes synthetic oil better

Visually, you cannot tell the difference between new synthetic and conventional oil. There are two major differences, however. First, how they are made is a distinction. We've explained that synthetic oil is far more refined than conventional oil. Second, the way they run in your car is worlds apart. Used motor oil shows a lot thicker and sludgy in conventional oil vs.

Synthetic oil is by far better for performance. It protects the engine due to lower levels of friction. Additives help clean the engine of deposits.

And, fewer impurities mean it burns cleaner, thickens far more slowly, and has fewer deposits to start. Synthetic oils may still be crude oil based, but they last much longer, saving overall oil use.

Synthetic oil is generally considered the best oil. It is designed for performance. However, that same manufacturing process makes it more expensive. If you can afford it, choose a full synthetic oil. It is the best oil for any engine. Synthetic oil cuts down the hassles or oversights related to more frequent oil changes and deposits. If synthetic oil is too expensive, go with a blend or rotate between a full synthetic and non-full synthetic every other oil change.

Changing car oil will not damage your vehicle. Keep a record to remember the mileage, next oil change date, and type of oil. Your mechanic, oil change service, or auto parts store associate will be able to provide advice on the best oil for your specifications. Mobil 1 full synthetic oils contain fewer impurities compared to conventional and synthetic blend oils and can better resist the formation of sludge and deposits in your engine.

If your engine already has sludge, Mobil 1 motor oils clean up virtually all engine sludge in just one oil change. When your vehicle is not being driven, the oil settles.

But when you fire up the ignition, it begins flowing through critical engine parts to protect against friction. Conventional and synthetic blend oils take more time until they are able to flow smoothly through the engine. During cold winter months, or if you live in an extremely cold environment, this flow process takes even longer.

Mobil 1 full synthetic oils are engineered to flow quickly even at low temperatures, and they start protecting your engine right after you start your vehicle. When running, engines are hot. Over time, the high temperatures in your engine can cause conventional and synthetic blend oils to break down or evaporate, exposing your engine to wear. Automakers are building cars with smaller engines for greater fuel efficiency and turbochargers to boost power. Turbocharged engines run even hotter than non-turbo engines.

Conventional and synthetic blend oils can break down faster under extreme turbo conditions and leave deposits on turbocharger components, which can lead to failure. Mobil 1 full synthetic oils can protect these components much better than conventional oils, keeping them operating at peak performance and boosting engine power. Yes, generally, synthetic oil can provide longer oil change intervals than conventional oil. But this is often dependent upon the brand of motor oil and several other factors, such as driving style and driving conditions.

Please follow the recommendations in your owner's manual while your vehicle is under warranty. Some synthetic motor oil brands still recommend oil changes every 3, or 5, miles.

From a viscosity standpoint, an old 5W synthetic will act pretty similar to a new 5W synthetic, although likely it will be slightly thicker as a result of contaminants. Why does all this matter? As oils age, their flow characteristics change, and this changes how well your engine is protected from wear when it operates outside the boundaries of its initial design.

To visually see the difference between conventional and synthetic after heavy use, check out the following video:. Join Now. New Cars. Car Culture. Type keyword s to search. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. By Patrick Olsen. June 29, Car Maintenance. Make Your Car Last , Miles. Should you use synthetic oil? There are good reasons to—but only if your car has specific needs.