Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

Drivers across the St. Charles, St. Louis, and O'Fallon areas know that oil is important for their vehicle's overall well-being. But do you know which type of oil is best for your car? There's much of debate between synthetic oil and conventional oil, so we're going to delve into this debate to help you figure out your vehicle's best option.

In this article, we'll discuss oil. We'll go over what it does, why it's important to have it changed, and the differences between synthetic oil and conventional oil. By reading this guide, you'll have an extensive knowledge of oil and you'll know which type is best for your vehicle. 

What Oil Does

Oil is one of the most important liquids for your vehicle. Your engine is comprised of hundreds of moving metal parts. When your engine is working, these metal parts are constantly grinding against each other. Oil is a lubricant for these parts, so they can continue to move, grind, and work without the risk of creating friction.

Friction between these moving metal parts results in heat. As you know, when an engine overheats, it fails to function properly, and in some cases, severe damage can be expected. Oil not only lubricates these parts to work efficiently, but it also helps keep these metal parts cool by dispersing the heat they create. 

Why It's Important to Change Your Oil

Oil is truly effective when it's at its cleanest. When it's first put into your engine, it has a golden honey color. Over time, the oil will become black and gritty. That's because when it's keeping your parts cool and lubricated, it's also cleaning them. It picks up the crud and debris from your engine. Most of the debris is collected into the oil filter, but once that gets clogged, the debris floats freely in your oil.

When your oil is dirty, it fails to lubricate the parts. It can even reduce its ability to keep the parts cool. When oil reaches this level of dirtiness, it requires a change so your vehicle can continue to function at its best. When you neglect your oil change, your vehicle won't perform as well as it should, and you run the risk of having your engine overheat. 

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Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil

There's much debate as to which of these oil types are best for your vehicle. Synthetic oil was designed to be more heat resistant than conventional oil. It doesn't break down as quickly and it has additives that can help clean your engine more thoroughly.

Conventional oil is still effective, but it breaks down quickly and requires a frequent change. Synthetic oil can last almost three times longer than conventional oil. However, older cars will work better with conventional oil, as synthetic oil was designed for newer engines.

Not sure which oil your vehicle needs? Contact us at St. Charles Nissan. We're always happy to help drivers in the St. Charles, St. Louis, and O'Fallon areas keep their vehicle in the best shape possible.