To answer the titled question quickly: Yes, in the winter, but let’s dig a little deeper before you rush your vehicle in for an oil change and request synthetic oil. There are numerous advantages to synthetic oil, which we’ll get into below, but if you’re on a budget, there’s no reason why you cannot use conventional motor oil to save a few precious pennies. Doc Motor Works is happy to discuss with you the best motor oil for your automobile based on its make, model, year, and engine size. In the meantime, here are some advantages to synthetic motor oil.
Better Breakdown Resistance
One primary reason why drivers request synthetic motor oil at their oil changes is that it resists breakdown better than conventional motor oil. This makes it last longer, which means you can extend the duration between oil changes. In newer vehicles, some manufacturers recommended oil changes every 7,500 or 10,000 miles as opposed to every 3,000 miles when using conventional oil. This might save you money or it might not. It depends on how much synthetic oil you’ll need at each change, the oil’s weight, and your vehicle’s engine.
Higher Heat Resistance
The reason synthetic oil is slower to lose its viscosity is that it can stand up to heat much better than conventional oil can. Your motor oil’s primary job is to lubricate engine parts to prevent friction. Naturally, these engine parts become extremely hot as they work together while your motor runs. Synthetic oil can stand up to those extreme temperatures better than conventional oil can, so it doesn’t break down as quickly. As you can see, this reason is why the first reason makes synthetic oil superior to conventional oil.
Better in Cold Weather
You noticed we said yes, synthetic oil is better in the winter in the introduction to this post and it is. Synthetic oil flows better when it’s freezing outside, so it reduces engine wear when you first start your vehicle on our famous Illinois cold mornings. This is why we recommend synthetic oil when the mercury drops, especially if you only drive short distances. Conventional oil doesn’t get hot enough during a short trip to prevent engine damage as well as synthetic oil does.
All of this said, your owner’s manual is your vehicle’s bible, and if it says conventional, then conventional it should be. Also, synthetic motor oil can cost you four times more than conventional, so this could be a deal-breaker for those with tight finances. Bring your vehicle into Doc Motor Works in Shorewood, IL, and let’s discuss your motor oil needs. If you’d like to set up an appointment, call us at 815-577-3893.