Conventional, Blends, and Pure Synthetic Oil

We all know that changing the oil in your vehicle is important to ensuring you get the maximum use from your car.  But a quick walk down the motor oil aisle will show that there is more than one approach to oil. You can choose from conventional oil, synthetic blends, and full synthetics.  Each of them have something to offer.  But what is the best choice for your vehicle?

Before deciding on a particular oil, it is helpful to understand what comprises each type of oil.

  • Synthetic OilConventional Oil.  This was the standard for years. Conventional oil is made from refined petroleum (aka crude oil). It is the common choice for vehicles made before 1990. Conventional oil moves more slowly through the engine. It is more vulnerable to harsh weather conditions (both extreme hot and cold).  Likewise, it is more likely to get clogged in the engine.  It is also known for more evaporation than other oils.
  • Full Synthetic.  This is made using a higher quality base oil, which means fewer impurities to clog the engine. It doesn’t break down easily, less sludge or buildup occurs, provides better fuel economy, requires fewer oil changes which means less time and money spent on maintenance, and enhanced horsepower.
  • Synthetic Blend – As the name implies, it is a blend of conventional oil and full synthetic. It will have a maximum of 30% synthetic oil but offers additional protection against the grinding of engine parts, there is less evaporation than conventional oil, and it stands up well to extreme temperatures.

Factors that Affect the Type of Oil Used

The mileage of the vehicle-

  • This is due to the rate at which the oil flows through the engine and other moving parts.

Using Synthetic Oil: What is your goal? –

  • If you want fewer oil changes, better mileage, and an oil to hold up against high and low temperatures, then a full synthetic is the choice. Yes, it will cost a bit more, but since you need to change the oil less frequently, it will balance out in the long run.

Age of the car –

  • If your vehicle was made pre-1990 then talk to a mechanic before making the swap. However, many of the older cars, including those classics and muscle cars, perform great with synthetic oil. Also, vehicles with more than 75,000 miles will function better with a high-performance synthetic oil.

To get the most from your vehicle, you won’t go wrong with using AMSOIL with Lifetime Oil. With several types of synthetic oils, high-performance oil, lubricants, and engine boost products available, you can be sure your engine stays in prime working order. You can get all the AMSOIL products you need, shipped directly to your door or visit Lifetime Oil’s website to find an AMSOIL dealer near you.

So, when are you going to make the switch to synthetic oil?