Synthetic vs Conventional Oil Change
There are many different kinds of engine oil. The two main categories are synthetic oil and conventional oil. These two main types of oil differ in several ways, with the major differences being…
- What they’re made of
- How much they cost
- How often they need to be changed
In this guide, we at Rountree Ford will give you a detailed overview of these differences, so you can get a better idea of what your vehicle needs. Drivers in the areas of Shreveport, Bossier City, and Stonewall should read ahead to learn more!
Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil: What It’s Made Of
Synthetic oil is man-made from chemicals in a factory. On the other hand, conventional oil is made from petroleum, which occurs naturally on the Earth.
The difference in their composition is where the other differences between synthetic oil and conventional oil derive from. The fact that they’re made of different elements directly affects how much they cost and how often they need to be changed.
Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil: When to Change It
Conventional oil needs to be changed between every 5,000 miles and 6,000 miles or about every six months. Synthetic oil, by design, can go a bit longer without being changed. Generally speaking, synthetic oil will need to be changed every 10,000 miles to 15,000 miles or about once a year.
These timelines can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. How long you can go without changing your oil can vary greatly depending on the brand you get, too. It can also vary on your driving style. Regardless of the type of oil, stop-and-go traffic and heavy-duty towing can cause your oil to break down a bit faster than normal.
Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil: How Much It Costs
If you’re strictly looking at their price tags, synthetic oil costs more because of what it’s made from and how resistant it is to breaking down. Conventional oil, though, costs less when you’re just paying for a bottle up front because it’s more cost-effective to produce.
As we discussed in the previous section, synthetic oil doesn’t need to be changed as often as conventional oil. So, the cost of how much you pay for either of these types of oil will pretty much even out in the end. You’re paying less for conventional oil but changing it more often and vice versa for synthetic oil.
Still Have Questions About Oil?
We at Rountree Ford are excited that you came to us to learn more about how synthetic oil and conventional oil differ and hope that you got all the information you were looking for. However, if you still have questions or think it’s about time for your next oil change, we’re happy to offer further assistance.
Give us a call at our service center today and one of our expertly trained service technicians will be able to help you. Drivers in the areas of Shreveport, Bossier City, and Stonewall can also stop by the dealership any time on their way through town!