What is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic engine oil is a type of lubricant designed using artificially engineered chemical compounds. These compounds are created by breaking down and rebuilding petroleum molecules, resulting in a more uniform molecular structure. This uniformity helps reduce friction between engine parts, improving overall performance and efficiency.
Synthetic oils are further classified into fully synthetic oil and synthetic blend oil, each offering different levels of protection and performance. Synthetic engine oil offers better stability and performance than regular oils, making it a reliable choice even for everyday cars that need enhanced engine protection and smoother operation.
What is Conventional Oil or Normal Engine Oil?
Conventional or normal engine oil is a lubricant derived from crude oil. The crude oil is refined to give it lubricating properties. Since this process is natural, the oil contains molecules with varying sizes and structures. These inconsistencies result in increased friction between engine parts and cause the oil to break down more quickly. As a result, conventional engine oils don’t last as long or perform as efficiently as synthetic oils.
Synthetic Engine Oil vs Normal Engine Oil
Refer to the table below to know the main differences between synthetic oil and conventional oil:
| Parameters | Synthetic engine oil | Normal engine oil |
| Manufacturing process | Partially man-made | Derived naturally |
| Additives | It comprises artificial chemical compounds. | Normal oil does not contain any additives. |
| Molecular size and structure | Uniform | Inconsistent |
| Friction | Less friction due to the uniform size and structure of the molecules. | More friction due to the irregular size and structure of the molecules. |
| Performance | Offers better performance, especially in extremely high and low temperatures. | Normal oil may not withstand extremely low/high temperatures and can break down. |
| Engine efficiency | Higher than an engine using normal oil. | Lower than an engine using synthetic oil. |
| Wear and tear protection | High | Low |
| Cost | High | Low |
What is The Price of Synthetic Engine Oil For Cars?
The synthetic engine oil price for cars can vary depending on the brand, as different brands use different manufacturing technologies. So, there’s no fixed cost for synthetic engine oils. Fully synthetic oil costs almost two to three times more than regular engine oil. It may give you an idea about the cost difference between the oils.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Synthetic Engine Oil?
Synthetic engine oil is engineered from high-quality chemical compounds and designed to offer superior lubrication and protection compared to conventional oils. It performs exceptionally well in extreme temperatures, reduces engine wear, and extends oil change intervals. However, like any product, it comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Benefits of Synthetic Oil
Below are the benefits of synthetic engine oil:
- Synthetic oil reduces friction better than regular oil, offering longer-lasting protection even under extreme conditions.
- It has fewer impurities, preventing sludge buildup and even cleaning existing deposits for better engine health.
- It flows quickly at low temperatures, ensuring immediate lubrication during cold starts.
- It resists breaking down or evaporating at high temperatures, maintaining protection during intense heat.
- It handles the high heat of turbocharged engines efficiently, protecting critical turbo components.
Drawbacks of Synthetic Oil
Below are some of the drawbacks of using synthetic engine oil:
- One of the most significant disadvantages of synthetic oil is the cost. It is more expensive than conventional engine oils.
- Synthetic engine oils are prone to additive separation during cold storage conditions. The additives may completely separate from the oil. Without additives, the oil may not perform as it should.
- Synthetic oils may lead to slightly lower fuel economy at highway speeds.
Also, read: How to check the engine oil level in a car? A 6-step guide
Benefits and Drawbacks of Conventional Oil
In this section, let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of normal engine oil.
Benefits of Normal Oil
Here are some benefits of normal oil.
- One of the biggest benefits of using regular engine oil is the cost. Conventional engine oils cost way less than synthetic oil.
- Normal engine oils are easily available.
- Regular engine oil helps in smoothing the rough surfaces of a brand-new engine with its uneven molecules.
Drawbacks of Normal Oil
Below are some cons of normal oil.
- Normal oils do not offer good protection in extremely high or low temperatures.
- Regular oil comprises impurities that may lead to sludge formation.
- Conventional oil does not last long as the molecules break down easily.
- Lastly, regular oils do not offer superior protection against engine wear and tear.
Which Engine Oil Should You Choose, Synthetic Or Normal?
To begin with, synthetic engine oil and regular engine oil, also called mineral oil, do the same job of lubricating the engine components. Both oils reduce the friction inside the engine and prevent excessive wear and tear. Moreover, both oils are derived from refining crude oil. However, what differentiates synthetic from conventional oil is the level of refinement.
Regular engine oil cannot match the performance and protection offered by synthetic engine oil. That’s because the production process involves the addition of artificial chemical compounds. Hence, it is partially artificial, and the additional artificial compounds enhance its performance and protection abilities.
Now, answering the question, synthetic engine oil is better than normal engine oil. But it is more expensive than regular engine oil due to the advanced manufacturing process. But the performance and protection it offers are worth the additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
