Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil: Which is Best for Your Car?

Engine Oils:

Oil serves several functions in an engine. It greatly reduces friction between moving parts, resulting in less wear and tear. Oil also cleans dirty engine parts due to the detergents added to keep the engine clean and prevent oil sludge. 

Engine oils, motor oils, and lubricating oils are composed of various oils as a base, which is then supplemented with various additives such as anti-wearing detergents, dispersants, and viscosity index improvers. These oils are primarily used for the following purposes:

  1. Engine lubrication occurs when oils act as a thin film between the engine’s moving parts, such as the piston and the cylinder, to reduce wear and friction.
  2. Coolant – By carrying away excess heat, these oils also serve as the coolant that circulates continuously around the engine to keep it at low temperatures or from reaching the temperature that causes a seizure.
  3. Remove sludge – an unconventional use of oil is to remove sludge from the engine and neutralize acids produced by burning fuel. This is achieved through the use of varnish and detergents.

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Main Categories of Engine Oils:

Main Categories of Engine Oils

These are traditional petroleum-based oils, and synthetic versions made from chemicals are also available. Synthetic oil is created artificially, whereas conventional oil is refined through a process similar to gasoline refinement. The two oils allow engines to pump, thump, and roar all over the world without immediately seizing.

Viscosity of Engine oil:

High-viscosity oils are thick and flow slowly, whereas low-viscosity oils are thinner and flow faster. Synthetic oils are more resistant to extreme temperatures than conventional oils.

Properties of Motor Oil: 

To begin, make sure you’re looking at the correct type of oil for your vehicle: S-type oil is for gasoline engines, while C-type oils are only used in diesel engines.

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Molecular Structure: 

Molecular Structure of Engine oil

The main difference between synthetic and conventional motor oil is discovered in their molecular structure. The molecules in conventional oil are derived from organic, natural materials, and as we all know, nature is not always consistent. In conventional oils, there may be a few unconventional molecules. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, were created in a laboratory by scientists. The molecules are uniform, and they line up inside your engine like good soldiers.

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What Is Conventional Oil?

Conventional oil is a refined crude-oil-based product used to lubricate internal combustion engines, airplane engines, metal stamping machines, and a variety of other products and machines.

What Is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is a chemical compound created by humans that are used to lubricate internal combustion engines, airplane engines, and metal stamping machines. It has many advantages, including lessening the environmental impact of traditional oil extraction and refining processes.

Synthetic oils are further classified as follows:

  • Semi-Synthetic Oils 
  • Fully-Synthetic Oils

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Difference Between Synthetic and Conventional Oil

COMPARISON

The primary distinction between synthetic and conventional oils is their composition. Conventional oil is made from crude oil, whereas synthetic oil is made from other products and engineered in a lab. The longer life cycle of synthetic oil versus conventional oil has also attracted the attention of many, with conventional car oil requiring changes every 3,000-5,000 miles and synthetic every 7,500-15,000 miles. Because of the high heat that builds up in these engines, more performance-oriented vehicles require synthetic, whereas conventional engines do not. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Synthetic Oil: 

While synthetic oils have many advantages over conventional oils, they also have some drawbacks.

Advantages

1) Increase the Engine’s Lifespan: 

Synthetic oil can help to extend the life of a car engine by removing unwanted deposits that can harm the engine by causing excessive friction.

2) Removes Gunky Residue:

Synthetic oil removes gunky residue that may clog the oil passageway in the engine.

3) Ideal for Dusty Environments: 

Perfect for dusty areas where there is a high risk of engine seizure due to too much dirt entering the engine.

4) Oil Change Schedule: 

You’ll save money with fewer oil changes because synthetic oil is designed to last longer than conventional oil.

5) Environment Friendly: 

Synthetic oil is more environmentally friendly than conventional oil because it is created rather than extracted from ground dinosaur bones.

Disadvantages

1) Ineffective for Old Engines: 

Old engines may not always be effective.

2) Price: 

Synthetic oil is about 10% more expensive than conventional oil.

3) Engine Utilization: 

Not every engine is built to handle synthetic oil or its properties. Synthetic oil should not be used in older race cars or rotary engines.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Conventional Oil or Mineral Oil: 

Just like synthetic, conventional oils have advantages and disadvantages as well.

Advantages

1) Less Expensive: 

Conventional oil is about 10% less expensive than synthetic oil.

2) Usage of Engine:

Because synthetic oil is a relatively new engine technology, most cars still use conventional oil.

Disadvantages

1) Oil Change Schedule: 

You’ll be spending a lot of time under your car because conventional oil needs more oil changes than synthetic oil

2) Harms the Environment: 

This harms the environment. Because of mining old dinosaur dust, refining it, transporting it, and burning it. 

3) Not a Good Engine Cleaner: 

Conventional oils are not as effective at cleaning internal engines as synthetics are.

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Benefits of Synthetic Oil:

Synthetic oil has many benefits than a Conventional oil, some of its benefits are: 

  1. Synthetic oil improves wear protection, engine cleanliness, and fuel efficiency.
  2. Synthetic oil also lasts longer, which increases convenience and reduces costs. 
  3. Synthetics can last up to three times longer than conventional oil, and are cleaner and more powerful. Because they are created in a laboratory rather than in nature, their composition is much cleaner.
  4. Synthetics produce less resistance and increase horsepower and overall engine efficiency while using slightly less gas.
  5. Synthetic oils have a longer engine life, enhanced engine wear protection and lower emissions. 
  6. Synthetic oil gives an excellent winter performance and gives a better gas mileage. 
  7. Synthetic oil has an ability to clean out sludge deposits in the engine. 

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Different Types of Synthetic Fuels: 

Syncrude, a type of synthetic fuel that closely resembles crude oil, is derived from a variety of sources, including extra-heavy oil. Currently, six different types of synthetic fuels are produced.

  • Gas-to-Liquid
  • Shale Oil
  • Coal-to-Liquid
  • Biomass-to-Liquid
  • Fuel from Waste
  • Fuel from Atmospheric Carbon

1. Gas-to-Liquid: GTL fuels are created by converting natural gas into liquid, petroleum-based fuels.

2. Shale Oil: It is another type of Syncrude derived from marlstone, a naturally occurring rock also known as oil shale.

3. Coal-to-Liquid: CTL fuels are created by isolating the hydrocarbons in existing fossil fuels and converting them to synthetic fuels.

4. Biomass-to-Liquid: Wood, crops, straw, and grain can all be used to make BTL fuels.

5. Fuel from Waste: Plants and plant waste can be used to make feedstock for synfuel production for the same reasons.

6. Fuel from Atmospheric Carbon: Large amounts of carbon dioxide-polluting air would be exposed to liquid potassium carbonate in this process. Using electricity, the CO2 can then be separated from the potassium compound. After the CO2 is separated, it is converted to syngas, which is then converted into liquid fuels.

Top Synthetic Engine Oils in Pakistan: 

There aren’t many in Pakistan, but some of them have a solid reputation in the market.

  1. ZIC
  2. KIXX

How Often Do You Need To Change Your Oil?

How Often Do You Need To Change Your Oil?

Oil changes are now only required every 7,500 to 10,000 miles on some cars. Your oil change schedule is determined by three primary factors: the make, model, and year of manufacture. Before 1990, cars, trucks, and SUVs required routine oil changes every 3,000 miles or every three months. 

Modern engines require far fewer oil changes. Depending on where you drive and how much and how far you drive, you can probably go 10,000, 15,000, or even 20,000 miles between oil changes with some synthetics. If you own a relatively new car and use it at an average rate, you can get away with changing the oil only once a year.

Current Oil Change Schedules: 

Sr. No CarOil Change Frequency
1Honda7,500 miles
2Hyundai7,500 miles
3KIA7,500 miles
4Toyota15,000 miles 
5Nissan5,000-7,000 miles
6Subaru5,000-7,000 miles
7Audi10,000 miles
8BMW12,000-15,000 miles
9Chevrolet7,500 miles
10Land Rover7,500-10,000 miles
11Lexus10,000 miles
12Mazda15,000 miles
13Mercedes-Benz10,000 miles
14Porsche20,000 miles
15Dodge7,500 miles
16Ford7,500 miles
17GMC7,500 miles
18Jaguar15,000 miles
19Jeep5,000-7,500 miles
20Cadillac7,500 miles
21RAM8,000 miles
22TeslaYou don’t! It’s electric!
23Volkswagen10,000 miles
24Volvo10,000 miles
25Acura5000-10,000 miles

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Conclusion

That’s it for engine oils! I hope you now understand how oils work and why it is important to keep checking your oil for optimal performance. Synthetic oil is the new standard these days, and conventional oil, while not outdated, is an option to consider depending on the age of your car. In general, synthetic oils extend engine life and eliminate the need for frequent visits to your mechanic for oil changes. 

The organic compound found in synthetic oils, for example, could break seals and cause leakage in older engines that get great gas mileage. So, before making any final decisions about oil change services, read your owner’s manual. Because of the variables involved in an oil change, it’s best to seek professional advice from your mechanic before proceeding.

FAQs

Is synthetic oil more durable than conventional oil?

In general, synthetic motor oil allows for longer intervals between oil changes, but this varies depending on the brand of oil used.

What is the primary disadvantage of synthetic oil over conventional oil?

The cost of synthetic oil is approximately two to four times that of conventional oil.

Is it true that synthetic oil raises oil pressure?

Synthetic oil cleans the dirt that has accumulated in an old engine, increasing the oil flow and decreasing the pressure.

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