The next time you go for a vehicle oil change, you’ll probably be asked: Regular or synthetic? Before you answer, you just might have to think twice – for your wallet’s sake and, yes, the environment, as well.
Firstly, when it comes to form and function, synthetic oil is better than conventional oil. The latter couldn’t compete with synthetic when it comes to longevity and being able to handle extremely high temperatures without breaking down. That said, however, all this advanced technology isn’t cheap. A synthetic vehicle oil change can cost double to that of conventional oil. But, beyond its better performance, is it worth it?
There’s no straight yes or no answer to this question because there are several factors to consider. However, in general, most experts would concur that, for now, synthetic is the lesser of two evils.
The logic behind this is that although conventional oil is bad because it’s derived from petroleum, synthetic oil unfortunately contains chemicals that are also harmful to the environment. But, there is a difference. The lifespan of synthetics is three times longer than conventional oils, so this means that you might be dumping less than 15-24 quarts of oil annually.
Then, just to make things even more confusing, there’s a middle choice – a synthetic ‘blend’. This is a mixture of both oils to offer a moderately better product at a better price.
At Kevin’s Car Repair in Westerville, OH, we believe that it’s always best to follow what your manufacturer recommends with regards to vehicle oil change. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
