What’s the Difference between Conventional Automobile Lubricant and Synthetic?

Posted: Feb 10, 2013
Author: Bumgarner Oil

When you change your vehicle’s lubricant, there are a number of choices, including conventional oil or synthetic oil. Many people want to know what the difference between the two is, whether there are any benefits associated with synthetic lubricants, and if synthetic is worth the money.

Conventional auto lubricant comes directly from crude oil. Its outstanding properties enable it to provide lubrication at extremely high temperatures, while maintaining stability over a long period of time. A synthetic lubricant starts its life as conventional oil, after which it’s modified to enhance its lubricant and protective properties.

Certain blends of synthetic lubricants are specifically designed to increase the lifespan and performance of high-mileage vehicles. Others are designed exclusively for high-performance engines, and there are still others that can actually increase a vehicle’s fuel mileage with special additives.

Some advantages of synthetic lubricants over conventional lubricants are:

• Improved lubrication, especially at high temperatures.

• More Stability. A synthetic lubricant is specially designed to maintain its viscosity over long periods of time at high temperatures. This helps prevent engine wear.

• Less Breakdown. A synthetic lubricant is less prone to breaking down. This means that you don’t have to change oil as often as you would with a conventional lubricant.

• Fewer Deposits. When conventional lubricants break down, they leave deposits on engine parts. A synthetic lubricant is less like to do this. In fact, some synthetics can remove these deposits.

While the properties of a synthetic lubricant are superior, a conventional lubricant will also protect most cars’ engines just fine.