The next time you take your car into an auto repair shop in the St. Paul MN area, and the technician asks synthetic or conventional for an oil change, take a moment to consider. Synthetic oil can cost twice as much depending on the shop and brand they use. It is the products of decades spend researching and testing in laboratories. For its price though, it can out perform conventional oil in just about every sense regarding durability and longevity. However, when it comes to the question of which is best for your car, the answer is not always so simple Though if price is an issue, you may lean towards sticking with conventional.

Synthetic versus conventional yearly usage.

Synthetics are designed to last far longer than conventional oils. They are not derived from petroleum so in the sense of supporting the environment, synthetics can be viewed as the less harmful choice. Due to their higher resistance to breaking down at the extreme temperatures found inside the engine, synthetic oil users can end up using less oil throughout the year. There is a debate among many of the auto repair shop in the St. Paul MN area as to how often you should change your oil. The argument is between every 3 months or every 3,000 miles. For synthetic users though, the distance they can go between changes varies. Depending on the climate and style of trips made, synthetic oils can easily last between 10,000 to 20,000 miles before needing changing. This greater endurance can mean less trips to the auto repair shop for oil changes.

Is one really cleaner than the other?

Neither synthetic or conventional oils, or even the blended formulas are environmentally friendly. While synthetics are more resistance to breakdown and don’t tend to vaporize as quickly or often as conventional, they are still not safe to introduce into the ground without creating serious contamination. So, while synthetics are chemically cleaner from being produced solely in a lab, versus in the ground by nature, they are not really any friendlier to the earth.

What types of cars tend to benefit the most from synthetics?

Synthetics are generally used in performance or sports vehicles. Engines that are used to sustain higher speeds for extended periods of time or subjected to frequent intense bursts are ideal candidates for synthetics. For most vehicles, a high quality conventional motor oil can be all you need, and have the added bonus of being easier to recycle than synthetics. If you are unsure about the best choice for your particular vehicle you can always refer to the manufacture’s recommendation. All cars come with an owner’s manual that lists the oil advised for use with them. If you don’t have one, you can always ask the technician at your trusted auto repair shop in St. Paul MN. They can help you make a decision based on your vehicle’s make and model as well as your driving habits.