Conventional vs Synthetic Oil – Is One Better than the Other?

One of the most important services that you’ll ever provide for your vehicle is an oil change. However, not all oil is the same. You may have heard the terms “conventional” and “synthetic” oil being thrown around, but do you know the difference between the two?

Here at our Service Department at Lupient Nissan of Brooklyn Park, we not only strive to provide you the education you need to keep your vehicle on the road, but we also provide the service you need to keep your Nissan performing its best.

Let’s dive in as we explain the difference between synthetic and conventional oil and discover why drivers all over Brooklyn Park, New Hope, and Maple Grove, MN trust us to keep their vehicle on the road for years to come!

The 411 on Conventional Oil

Conventional motor oil is processed from crude oil, and offers adequate protection from friction and heat in non-performance engines. The reason this type of oil is used in many older, non-performance engines is because this type of oil breaks down and loses its efficacy around 275 degrees fahrenheit. However, oil inside of a turbocharger can reach 400º, while the pistons and rings of a high performance engine can reach 500º under heavy loads, making conventional oil incompatible with some engines.

Because conventional oil is derived from fossil fuel, it does have some impurities that can lead to sludge and carbon buildup in your engine and must be changed roughly every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Why Synthetic Oil is the Preferred Choice for Most Engines

Full synthetic motor oil, sometimes referred to as “mineral oil”, is engineered to perform and thereby offers enhanced performance over conventional oil. Here are some of the key benefits of full synthetic oil over conventional oil:

Viscosity

Full synthetic oil is often created at a lower viscosity, meaning it's thinner than conventional oil. This means that synthetic oil flows more freely through the engine, providing better lubrication, better fuel economy, and better support for high performance engines. Synthetic oil also offers better performance during cold temperatures, where conventional oil would normally thicken and become more difficult for an engine to turn over and operate.

Oil Life and Purity

Because full synthetic oil is manufactured and not fracked from the earth where natural impurities are found, it’s cleaner than conventional oil. It features a longer life, and leaves your engine cleaner than conventional oil. As a result, synthetic oil only needs to be changed every 7,500 to 12,000 miles.

Overall Cost

While full synthetic oil often costs more than conventional oil up front, its longer lifespan offsets the cost in the long run. Furthermore, because synthetic oil leaves your engine parts cleaner than conventional oil does, it can lead to greater reliability over an engine that has used conventional oil throughout its life.

Trust Your Nissan with the Experts at Lupient Nissan of Brooklyn Park

When you’re due for an oil change, we encourage you to look no further than the experts here at Lupient Nissan of Brooklyn Park. We feature factory trained technicians who use genuine replacement parts and fluids. We also feature outstanding service specials that allow you to get your Nissan’s oil changed at outstanding prices paired with five star service.

Schedule service today and trust your Nissan in the hands of the experts!