Conventional vs. Synthetic Oil – What’s the Difference?

You may have heard the terms “synthetic” oil, or “conventional” oil, but do you know the difference between the two? Is one better than the other? Many drivers know that their cars need oil changes, but they’re not always sure which kind of oil their vehicle needs, or the benefits of each type.

Here at Lupient Chevrolet, we feature a full service maintenance and repair center that goes the extra mile to keep you on the road. Not only does our service center provide certified service, but we also strive to provide education about your Chevy so you can drive with assurance.

Let’s dive in and discover the difference between conventional and synthetic oil, and find out why drivers as far as Bloomington, Minneapolis, and Eden Prairie, MN trust us for all of their automotive needs.

The Details on Conventional Oil

Conventional oil is made from crude oil that has been fracked from the earth. Sometimes referred to as “mineral oil”, conventional oil offers adequate protection against friction and carbon buildup in non-performance engines. This type of oil is considered the “baseline” of protection because it offers a basic degree of protection for your engine. Conventional engine oil typically needs to be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, which is more frequent than synthetic oil, but is often the cheaper option.

The 411 on Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Full synthetic oil is made in a lab and is specifically designed to reduce friction in your engine, maximize protection, and optimize fuel economy. Synthetic oil is designed to offer the highest degree of protection against heat, breakdown, and friction, and is often the standard in high performance engines because of its ability to withstand heat.

This is vital because conventional oil breaks down and loses its ability to protect your engine at 275ºF, while synthetic oil remains effective at over 500º. This is important for turbocharged and high performance engines because oil inside of a turbo can reach 400 degrees, while piston and ring temperatures can reach 500 degrees under heavy loads.

Synthetic motor oil requires fewer oil change intervals than conventional oil and typically needs to be changed between 7,500 and 12,000 miles.

Is There an In-Between?

There’s an in between synthetic and conventional oil and it’s called synthetic blend oil. High mileage vehicles often need more protection than what’s offered in conventional, but may not be able to handle the thin viscosity of synthetic oil.

Synthetic blend oil features conventional base oil, but often uses synthetic additives for extra protection. These additives often address issues found in high mileage engines like gasket leaks, and carbon buildup. Synthetic blend oil typically needs to be changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Schedule Service with the Experts at Lupient Chevrolet Today

When it's time for an oil change, trust Certified Service Experts at Lupient Chevrolet. Making your Chevrolet oil change even more affordable, we even feature outstanding service specials that allow you to claim incredible savings!

Schedule service today at Lupient Chevrolet in Bloomington, MN!