Should You Use Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil used to be preferred by performance car manufacturers, but more recently carmakers have been using synthetic oil in more mainstream cars. One reason is synthetic oil has a lower viscosity, which allows it to flow around the engine with less resistance than traditional motor oil. This improves fuel economy and performance.

In Minnesota’s climate, where the temperature can reach extreme highs and lows, synthetic oil can be beneficial. Because synthetic oil flows better at very cold temperatures, it can begin lubricating more rapidly at startup before the engine has warmed to normal operating temperature. It can also provide better protection at higher temperatures, which can prevent wear and tear on the engine when towing a heavy load during a hot summer day.

Synthetic oils also resist oil breakdown better than conventional motor oil, which makes it last longer. The downside to using synthetic oil is the cost. Treating your engine to a synthetic oil change can cost 3 to 4 times more than an oil change using conventional oil.

What about synthetic oil blends?

While blends can provide some of the benefits of full synthetic oil, such as longer oil lifespan and durability, the main benefit of blended oils is lower cost compared to full synthetic oil.

Whether you decide to use synthetic oil really comes down to whether you plan to keep your car for a long time and want to maximize it’s lifespan or whether you’re just leasing the car for a short period of time and want to keep the ownership costs as low as possible.

There is one situation where you should always use synthetic oil – when the owner’s manual mentions that the engine requires synthetic oil. In this case, using conventional oil could damage the engine and void your warranty. When a manufacturer requires synthetic oil it’s usually because the engine is designed with high-performance in mind, with components like superchargers, turbochargers, and high compression, which could generate friction and heat when operating with conventional oil, shortening the lifespan of the engine.