What’s the Deal with Synthetic Oil?

When it comes to synthetic vs. conventional oil in Las Vegas, NV, do you know which is better? Synthetic oils are usually made from distilled crude oil and artificially-made chemical compounds. Both types of oil will work in your vehicle’s engine, but synthetic oil is often better for your car. In fact, some industrial grade engines, like those found in airplanes, only take synthetic oil.

Here’s what you need to know about synthetic oil:

  • It’s better for your car’s engine: Synthetic oil is better for your engine in two main ways. First, it’s less likely to create sludge deposits and buildup. Synthetic oil doesn’t circulate impurities through the engine like regular oil does. That means sludge is less likely to build up over time. Since dirt, grime and sludge can harm your engine components, you’ll get better performance and a longer lifespan. Second, it offers your engine better protection. Fully synthetic oils don’t break down—at least, not for 250,000 miles—which means the oil will reduce friction for a much longer period of time. Of course, a synthetic blend won’t have quite the same effect as fully synthetic oil, but it should still offer better performance overall.
  • It lasts longer than traditional oil: Speaking of long-lasting performance, synthetic oil typically lasts far longer than conventional oil. Depending on the brand, you could go as long as 7,500 to 20,000 miles between oil changes. If you’re the type of person who constantly forgets to change their oil, going synthetic could help keep your vehicle running well regardless. Certain factors, like your driving style and the weather conditions in your area, will impact how well your oil performs. Try to schedule more frequent oil changes in the beginning until you get a sense of how well your oil is performing.
  • Synthetic oil ingredients: No synthetic oil maker will fully share their secrets—that’s what keeps them competitive—but all of it is made with extremely high-quality base oils. They tend to use additives to further increase your vehicle’s performance. If you’re not sure which synthetic oil is right for your vehicle, check the owner’s manual or ask your local mechanic for assistance.
  • Better viscosity: Oil viscosity can change depending on temperature, but synthetic oil tends to be far more stable than conventional oil. You’ll enjoy approximately the same viscosity no matter what time of year it is.
  • Good for turbochargers: Finally, if you have a turbocharged vehicle, synthetic oil is a smart choice. That’s because the synthetic oil is able to flow to critical parts a lot faster than conventional oil. Conventional oil breaks down a lot faster in turbochargers, so you’ll have to swap it out a lot more often than normal.

While synthetic oil tends to be more expensive than conventional oil in Las Vegas, NV, the benefits are largely worth the extra cost. Not sure if you should make the change? The team at Qwest Automotive Service would be happy to help you find the right oil. Call us today for an appointment.