Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

Adding oil to engine

 

When you bring your car for an oil change near Town ‘n’ Country, some service shops will ask if you prefer synthetic or conventional oil. Depending on the make and model, your vehicle may require synthetic oil, so you should check your owner’s manual if you don’t know. If your model can use either oil type, you may wonder what differentiates synthetic vs. conventional oil. 

In this guide, Subaru South Tampa compares synthetic vs. regular oil to help clear up any confusion! When you bring your car to us for an oil change, you can always rest assured our expert technicians will use the correct oil for your model. 

Synthetic vs. Regular Oil

What is Conventional (Regular) Oil?

Conventional or “regular” oil is a petroleum-based substance that has been used in internal combustion engines for many years to provide lubrication to internal parts and reduce engine wear while driving in St. Petersburg. Motor oil is essentially distilled from crude oil that’s mined from the ground, and it also serves to protect your car’s engine from high temperatures.

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is petroleum-based like regular oil, but it provides enhanced lubrication properties and is more stable. Synthetic oils oxidize less easily than conventional oils and are also better at retaining protective properties. They’re chemically developed from petrochemicals in intense processes to provide pinpointed properties that make them superior (and also more expensive) than conventional oils. Synthetic oils also:

  • Are less viscous at lower temperatures
  • Offer enhanced engine cleaning properties
  • Better protect critical turbocharger parts (when equipped)

Full Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blends

In addition to synthetic oils and conventional oils (often called mineral oils), there are synthetic blends. These, as you might expect, are made up of part synthetic oil and part conventional oil, which helps to reduce the cost vs. choosing full synthetic, but also provides enhanced properties vs. standard conventional oil.

Note: Some vehicles require full synthetic oil, and that could just include your Subaru vehicle! Be sure to check your owner’s manual if in doubt about what kind of oil your car requires.

Learn More About Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil in Tampa

Do you still have questions about synthetic vs. regular oil or what’s required for your Subaru model? Our service advisors are here for you! Contact us or check out more service tips if you want to expand your research beyond comparing synthetic vs. conventional oil. If your car needs an oil change near Wesley Chapel, feel free to schedule an appointment online.

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6402 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL, 33634
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