Does My Car Need Synthetic Oil?

All automobiles require engine oil to function as expected; however, each automobile has a type of oil you should put into its engine.

For car owners, it’s usually conventional oil or synthetic oil (fully or blend). While these oil types are good for virtually all cars, one may ask, “does my car need synthetic oil?”

Apparently, this question comes from a driver who has been running conventional oil since he got his/her car. Well, it’s a good question, and the simple answer is YES. Synthetic oil is good for all kinds of cars, most especially modern cars.

But what does your car manual say, should you use synthetic or conventional?

Let’s quickly find out!

Synthetic Oils Vs. Regular/Conventional Oils

Synthetic oils are better than conventional oils in all ramifications; even though both are gotten from petroleum, the refining processes of synthetic oils make them more viable and efficient than conventional oils.

There are quite a lot of benefits provided by synthetic oils. Some of these benefits are listed below:

• Synthetics offer better protection for car engines and suitable for extreme temperatures
• They help to prevent deposits and sludge inside the engine
• Gives more time between oil changes
• Promotes fuel efficiency
• Best for engines that carry out heavy-duty tasks

Since it appears like synthetic oil is obviously better than conventional oil, does that make it the best for your car?

Does My Car Need Synthetic Oil?

Yes, your engine needs synthetic oil – if you’ve never used synthetics before now, it is yet safe to switch; however, you should change the oil filter too.

The benefits of synthetic oils cannot be overemphasized; your engine needs to be clean and free from grimes, deposits, etc. for it to run smoothly and last longer – that’s one of the things synthetic oils can assure you.

Furthermore, if you ride/own a high-performance vehicle, synthetic oil is simply the standard (as indicated by most manufacturers). Also, vehicles with turbocharged or supercharged engines need synthetic oils for efficiency.

However, in contrast, older vehicles may not need synthetic oil due to the way they were built. When we talk of older vehicles, we are referring to cars manufactured before the 1990s.

Myths About Synthetic Oils

The most common myth about synthetics is that they are 2 – 4 times costlier than conventional oils. Well, this is true, but then, you should also know this fact.

Synthetic oils give you more time between oil changes than regular oils and still power your engine for better performance. So, if they cost more, it is understandable.

Are Synthetic Blends an Option?

Due to the high cost of synthetic oils, some engine oil manufacturers tend to mix synthetic with regular oils to form a synthetic blend, usually sold at a lower price. Well, synthetic blends aren’t as efficient as fully synthetic oils; however, they pose no harm to your car engine.

More so, synthetic blends do not guarantee longer oil change intervals (as fully synthetic). Again, due to the presence of another oil (regular oil), the forcefully combined additives may not be able to deliver their full potentials to your engine.

Synthetic blends are good, but fully synthetic remains the best option you can use for your car engine.

Are There Disadvantages Of Using Synthetic Oils?

We haven’t heard or learn about any disadvantages of using synthetic oils. The only drawback is the expensive price(s) of synthetics.

Conclusion

Generally, it is recommended to use synthetic oils for your engine – the benefits are numerous irrespective of the type or model of the car you drive. Also, synthetic oils will make your engine last longer than it would if you use regular oils.

So, for the question, “does my car need synthetic oil?” the answer is still YES. While you may be discouraged by the price of fully synthetics, synthetic blends can serve as alternatives. It is totally safe to switch from using regular oils to synthetic oils. It is also safe to blend regular oils with synthetics.

However, if your manufacturer indicated a specific engine oil for your car, do ensure to stick with the oil (especially if the car is still under the default manufacturer’s warranty). For older vehicles, seek your mechanic’s opinion before using synthetics on the engine to avoid leaks.