Back to all

Motor Oil?The Synthetic Advantage (Synthetic oil vs Conventional)

July 23, 2023

You’ve probably already heard that regular oil changes are extremely important for the health of your vehicle’s engine. That’s sound advice.  But what you might not know is when it comes to motor oil, the real thing may not be the best thing for your engine.

There are different types of motor oil:

  • Conventional oil, extracted from the ground and refined.
  • Synthetic oil, manufactured from high-quality base oils and artificially-made chemical compounds.
  • Synthetic oil blend, a mixture of conventional and synthetic oils.

The first thing you need to know is that most new engines require synthetic oil.  If synthetic oil is recommended for your car – you MUST use it.

For the rest, there are many advantages to using synthetic oil over conventional oil.

  • Synthetic oil provides better protection for your engine while helping it to perform better.
  • Conventional oil breaks down over time, while synthetic oil lasts longer.
  • Synthetics can stand higher temperature extremes, both heat, and cold.

Synthetic oil can be a better choice if you live in an extremely hot or cold climate or put a lot of strain on your engine by towing or carrying heavy loads.  It also may be good for older engines that sometimes have a tendency to develop sludge.

Synthetic oil is a more expensive option, but you likely won’t have to have your oil changed as often.  Some synthetics are recommended to last 10,000-15,000 miles/16,000-24,000 km between changes.

You might also consider a synthetic blend that gives you some of the advantages of synthetic oil at a lower cost. Have a talk with your service adviser about recommendations for what will best suit your vehicle and driving habits.

It’s interesting to note that in recent years, more than one out of two vehicle owners are opting for synthetic oil or a synthetic blend when they get their oil changed. Sounds like they’re on to something. In the long run, if you have fewer oil changes with synthetics, you’ll use less oil, a bonus for our environment.

Tuffy Lorain
1400 Broadway
Lorain, Ohio 44052
440-245-2823
https://www.tuffylorain.com

More articles from Tuffy Lorain

Not-So-Common Sense (Sensor Failures)

February 15, 2026

So your vehicle won't start. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Battery dead? Starter motor worn out? Out of gas? Well, those are all reasons that make sense. But your vehicle may be refusing to start because one of its computers is being warned that to do so might damage it. Here's ... More

Alleviate the Creaks and Squeaks (Chassis Lubrication)

February 8, 2026

If your vehicle creaks and squeaks when you drive down the road, it may mean that some of the metal parts are rubbing against each other and need to be lubricated. Those could be parts of the suspension, steering system and the drivetrain. Years ago, most vehicles had to have their chassis (wha... More

Good Service at Tuffy Lorain Equals Good Fuel Economy in Lorain

February 1, 2026

Whether we're trying to save money, save gas or save the environment, most of us Lorain drivers have an interest in decreasing fuel consumption. We've all heard about ways to save money on gas in Ohio, but does it really add up to much? How much can we boost our fuel economy through preventive ma... More