There are a few different attributes to what we call a conventional oil versus a semi synthetic and a full synthetic oil. We will cover the differences between synthetic, convention and semi synthetic oils and discuss which is the best for you to use on your vehicle.
Conventional Oil
First we will talk about what is conventional oil. Basically since cars have been around, we’ve been putting conventional oil in them. Conventional oil is derived from crude oil, it gets extracted from the ground and is sent through a refinery.
Full Synthetic
Full synthetic oil does not come from the earth, it’s made of chemical compounds without any natural compounds from crude oil.
Semi Synthetic
Semi synthetic is a blend of the two, conventional and full synthetic.
Conventional Oil VS Synthetic Oil: Which is Better
The difference between the two is where they come from and the longevity of them. The advantage we see with the semi synthetics and the full synthetics is the extended service length on the semi synthetic versus the conventional oil.
Most vehicles today are running on turbochargers and performance add-ons to get the most out of the engines but with that comes excessive heat. Excessive heat kills Conventional oil by breaking down the chemicals and leaving behind sludge.
You may be asking, why is synthetic oil better to use? Synthetic oils are more equipped to handling higher temperatures. They can handle them for a longer period of time without being broken down and have less of a probability of causing sludge issue. Synthetic oil will sludge if they are extended past their service life and if they get exposed to high temperatures constantly or not changed like they should.
Oil Value
Since conventional oils heat up and break down, that means replacing the oil will happen more frequently. Conventional oil lasts about three months, 3,000 miles. With the semi synthetic oil and the full synthetic, we recommend five months, 5,000 miles. Since the semi synthetic and the full synthetic oil lasts longer than the conventional oil, they cost more.
For more information on which oil is best to use in your vehicle, contact our McGrath Service team. For all vehicle maintenance and repairs, easily schedule your service online at any of our convenient McGrath locations.