Oil Changes Are Super Important For Your Vehicle

Oil changes are one of, if not the most common vehicle maintenance procedures done by vehicle owners. In 100,000 miles, you’ll most likely go through a few sets of tires, brakes, a coolant/transmission flush or two, and (more than likely) a few repairs.

However, if you’re keeping up on your maintenance correctly, you’ll need an engine oil change performed about 20-30 times in that same span of mileage. Oil changes are therefore, by far, the most common maintenance service performed by most automotive shops. That’s because keeping your oil full and clean is one of the most critical things you can do to keep your car running better, for longer.

Not all oils are made the same, though. There are three ‘main types’ of oil available for consumers: conventional, semi-synthetic (synthetic blends), and full synthetic. 

What’s the difference between conventional and synthetic oil?

Conventional engine oils are made from mineral oils, which are a by-product of crude oil refining. The refining process used to make conventional motor oil removes impurities like sulfur from the by-products, which helps to make it more stable at higher temperatures.

Full synthetic engine oils, on the other hand, are made from petroleum-based polymers that have been modified (engineered) to produce a longer-lasting lubricant, with more resistance to breaking down from the heat and pressure found inside a vehicle’s engine compartment.

Synthetic oil protects your engine better than conventional oil.

Synthetic oils can withstand breaking down due to high temperature & stress, better than conventional oils, which means that they have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. This means that your engine will run more smoothly and efficiently in all weather conditions. Synthetic oil also has a much higher viscosity index than conventional oil, which makes it less likely to break down under pressure or high heat (like when you’re in stop-and-go traffic). Conventional oils are less expensive because they require less processing before being sold as consumer products; therefore you can save money by opting for a synthetic option if you do your research first!

Synthetic oils have been proven to reduce friction and wear in a variety of engines over a wide range of conditions.

Because they offer improved lubrication and protection at operating temperatures, synthetics are the preferred choice for manufacturers of high-performance engines, including turbocharged and supercharged applications. 

In fact, many car manufacturers recommend using synthetic oil in their vehicles due to its superior performance characteristics and extended oil change intervals (with some manufacturers recommending up to 15,000 miles, although we’re not sure we agree with that).

Almost every late-model vehicle is equipped with an engine that is capable of running synthetic oil, however, it’s important to note that not every engine should be run with synthetic motor oil; the exceptions are primarily older vehicles that were designed with running conventional oil in mind. 

By reducing the friction between moving parts, synthetic oils can improve fuel efficiency and reduce engine wear.

Friction is a critical factor in gauging the overall efficiency of your car’s engine. When you accelerate, for example, your pistons move up and down inside their cylinders. Friction causes them to rub against each other and the walls of their cylinders, which takes energy away from what would otherwise be used to move the vehicle forward. This wasted energy reduces fuel economy by about 10%. In addition to increasing how much gas you put into your tank every time you fill up with gas (and making it harder on your wallet), synthetic oils are also better at cutting down on this friction than conventional mineral-based oils—which means less money spent on higher octane gasoline.

While synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, it lasts longer, protects your engine better, and even helps you save money on gas.

Oil life recommendations vary depending on what engine you have, what oil you’re using, and your driving habits. For most people however, if you’re using conventional oil in your vehicle – you’ll need to change it around twice as often compared to using a synthetic. 

This means more frequent visits to the mechanic or auto shop for an oil change, and more money spent on that maintenance. While synthetic oil changes aren’t cheap, many people find that once they start using it instead of regular-grade motor oil, their vehicles last longer without needing major engine repairs.

In addition, using a full synthetic oil can help your gas mileage long-term, as your engine will not lose as much efficiency through wear and tear, as compared to using a conventional oil.

We only recommend synthetic oil, because it’s the only oil we’d use in our cars.

Synthetic oils have proven themselves to be superior in many ways, which is why we not only recommend using them, we use them in our vehicles every day. They can improve performance, reduce wear and tear on your engine, and even save you money in the long run by lasting longer than conventional oil. 

If you’re looking for an oil change near Muskegon, MI, or want more information about synthetic oil benefits, reach out to us today and let’s talk about it!