Synthetic vs Conventional Oil

While your vehicle has many important and essential features, your motor oil is one of the highest on the list. What you might not know, though, is that there are different types of oil. Knowing the differences between synthetic oil and conventional oil can help you take better care of your vehicle.

It's for this reason that we at Fred Beans Ford of Mechanicsburg have put together this guide outlining the many differences between synthetic and conventional oil. Contact us today for an oil change!

How Are They Different?

Synthetic oil and conventional oil do the same job. They both work to grease up your engine, so it runs smoothly and doesn't overheat. However, they differ in several aspects, like:

• What they're made of
• How much they cost
• How often they should be changed

Read ahead to learn more about these differences.

What They're Made Of

Conventional oil starts as petroleum, which is a natural liquid that occurs when geological formations break down under the Earth's crust. This liquid can, then, be detected and extracted to be refined into fine oils that lubricate your vehicle's engine.

On the other hand, synthetic oils are man-made, which may be obvious by its name. Chemical compounds are put together and reduced to a liquid form that's meant to have the same consistency as conventional oil, without using up non-renewable resources.

How Much They Cost

We can look at the difference in cost between synthetic and conventional oil in a couple of ways. In the short-term sense, synthetic oil does cost more than conventional oil. So, when you get a synthetic oil change, you'll pay more upfront than you would for a regular oil change. Still, because conventional oil needs to be changed twice as often as synthetic oil does, their costs even out in the long run.

How Often They Should Be Changed

Going off our last point in the cost section, vehicles running on synthetic vs. conventional oil differ quite a bit in terms of how often they need to be serviced.

Conventional oil must be changed at least every 5,000 to 6,000 miles, or every six months. Synthetic oil doesn't need to be changed that often. It should be changed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Generally, synthetic oil should be changed at least once a year.

Your vehicle's specific service schedule should be followed closely as neglecting to get your oil changed can cause the oil to break down and impact the health of your engine.

Ready for An Oil Change?

Our team at Fred Beans Ford of Mechanicsburg is honored that you chose our synthetic vs. conventional oil guide to do your oil research. Based on what you've learned, you may have additional questions or have your suspicions confirmed that you need an oil change.

Luckily, whether your vehicle needs synthetic oil or conventional oil, our talented team is ready and eager to help. Drivers in Mechanicsburg should give us a call and schedule a service appointment today.