Synthetic Blend vs. Full Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil
For some drivers, deciding between a synthetic blend, full synthetic, and conventional oil can feel daunting.
Without a clear understanding of the related advantages and disadvantages, car owners may be prompted to unwittingly select an option that doesn’t align with the manufacturer’s specifications.
The following guide addresses this tendency, educating drivers on the differences between synthetic blend vs. full synthetic vs. conventional oil to promote a more informed decision at their next oil change.
What Are the Main Types of Engine Oil?
Full synthetic, synthetic blends, and conventional oils are the three main types of motor oils. Each oil performs the same essential functions, primarily:
- Lubricating the engine’s internal components
- Removing heat
- Absorbing contaminants
- Protecting against corrosion
- Sealing the piston rings
- Increasing engine efficiency
Before we go too deep into the benefits of synthetic over conventional, let’s first explore each engine oil type. Once you know the basic properties of each engine oil, you can start making comparisons to find the best option for your vehicle.
Full Synthetic
High-performance vehicles tend to perform better with synthetic oil, similar to how they’re optimized for use with high-octane fuel.
Synthetic motor oils boost the performance of engines equipped with turbochargers, superchargers, and other performance modifications, but they can also prove beneficial for pickups and SUVs towing heavy loads.
Chemically, full synthetic engine oil has fewer impurities and lasts longer than conventional — typically by up to three times as long or longer.
An oil analysis can provide more detailed information about the longevity and performance of synthetic oils.
Synthetic oil change intervals last between 7,500 miles and 15,000 miles on average. Due to their longevity and additional refinement, synthetic oils are more sludge-resistant. Most full synthetic oils maintain their viscosity from extremely low temperatures to excessively high temperatures.
Conventional
Refined from petroleum oils (otherwise known as crude oil), conventional engine oils represent the basic and most prevalent engine oil available. These engine oils are well-suited to older vehicles but will still provide engine protection regardless. Most conventional oils have a lower viscosity than synthetic oils, meaning they’re thinner.
Although conventional oils may contain some similar additives to synthetic oils, they’re often not as high-performing. Detergents within conventional oil scour engine components, while antioxidants, foam and corrosion inhibitors, and anti-wear agents promote optimal running conditions.
Synthetic engine oils additionally benefit from friction modifiers and viscosity index improvers to extend engine life.
Synthetic Blend
A synthetic blend engine oil combines the affordability of conventional oil with the superior performance of synthetic oils.
Although synthetic blends lack the longevity of full synthetic engine oils, they offer car owners slightly better protection without going over budget. The exact composition of synthetic blends (the ratio of conventional to synthetic oil within a specific formula) varies between manufacturers and can be challenging to determine.
Which Oil Offers the Best Performance?
Synthetic motor oils tend to offer the best performance based on their long oil life and — more importantly — the corresponding additives.
Understanding the difference between base oils and additives represents the key to unlocking synthetic oil’s performance factor. All engine oils contain a base oil and one or more (typically more) additives.
The difference between synthetic and conventional oils is the molecular makeup of their respective base oils. Crude oil hosts a number of irregularly shaped molecules, while synthetic oil’s molecular structure manifests in a more uniform pattern. Additives optimize these basic properties based on application.
Synthetic oil additives extend the base oil’s performance across a wide temperature spectrum, allowing it to remain viscous even at higher temperatures.
Conventional oils begin to break down under extreme heat, losing their viscosity, cleanliness, and efficiency as well. In theory, between synthetic and conventional oils with the same additives, the synthetic oil would last longer and perform better under duress.
How Much Does Each Type of Oil Change Cost?
Regardless of the brand of oil you choose, synthetic oil changes tend to cost the most relative to synthetic blends and conventional oils.
Car owners who prefer the middle-ground option often select a synthetic blend for the benefit of added performance. Conventional oils aren’t inherently inferior — they still lubricate internal engine components to reduce friction and premature wear — but they represent the most affordable option.
However, this cost analysis fails to account for the oil change intervals associated with each oil type. Conventional oils have the shortest interval between oil changes, while synthetic oils have the longest.
For those who find themselves in need of oil but unable to make it to a service station, a fuel delivery service can be a lifesaver.
The more cost-effective approach depends on which interval better suits your driving habits, vehicle type, and how many miles you put on the odometer annually.
Can You Switch Between Synthetic Blend, Full Synthetic, and Conventional Oils?
The general rule of thumb is to refrain from combining different types of engine oils. This advice can be confusing, especially in the case of synthetic blends, which are more or less a hybrid of conventional and synthetic.
However, synthetic blends are optimally formulated based on extensive laboratory tests, so it’s best to leave the chemistry to the experts.
Additional experts — i.e., your vehicle’s manufacturer — have also optimized the powerplant in your car to work with a particular type of engine oil. Follow the recommendations found in your owner’s manual to determine which engine oil type is best.
From there, you can choose between oil brands — such as Pennzoil, Castrol, and Valvoline — based on personal preference.
Source High-Quality Engine Oils From Cadence
Superior motor oils help protect your vehicle’s performance and longevity. Cadence sources only the highest-quality lubricating solutions to keep America moving as we focus on people, distribution, and excellence.
Give us a call at 336-629-2061 to discuss your needs with a friendly and knowledgeable representative.
Sources:
WHICH OIL IS RIGHT FOR YOU? | American Petroleum Institute
SP268-Q-Synthetic Motor Oils | The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service