The Best Synthetic Oil for Your Car in 2022

Synthetic oils have become the norm for most modern automobiles. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a car that is not filled with synthetic oil when it departs the factory. Many car enthusiasts would argue that synthetic oils are much more convenient, particularly because you do not have to change the oil nearly as often.

But how do you know which synthetic oil is best for your car? To help you decide, we have provided this useful buying guide, complete with everything you need to know about purchasing the right product for your needs.

Want to know more? Check out the full article below.

What is synthetic oil?

Generally speaking, synthetic oil is a type of motor oil derived from chemically treating petroleum products rather than refining crude oil. Synthetic oil has become the most common type of oil used in modern cars.

Benefits and drawbacks of synthetic oil

As we have previously mentioned, the main benefit of synthetic oil is that it does not need to be changed as often as conventional oils. For example, most mechanics would recommend that non-synthetic oil should be changed roughly every 3,000-5,000 miles. You can generally wait for as long as 10,000 miles before performing an oil change with synthetic oil.

However, the largest drawback is the expense. Synthetic oil costs a lot more than standard motor oil. In fact, synthetic oil can cost as much as four times the price of petroleum-based oil. That being said, many drivers favor the decreased frequency of oil changes and see the added expense as a worthwhile investment.

Things to consider when buying synthetic oil

There are many things you should consider when purchasing synthetic oil. These include:

Full synthetic or synthetic blend?

One of the most important things to keep in mind is whether or not your engine is better suited to a full synthetic or synthetic blend oil. If you're not sure, it's best to check your owner's manual.

Full synthetic oils are exactly what they sound like: engine oil derived from synthetic processes. Unlike conventional oils, synthetic oils are produced by chemically treating certain petroleum products to derive the final product. They often contain additives and detergents to allow the oil to remain stable under extremely harsh conditions and to help keep the internal components of your engine clean and free from sludge and deposits. Due to their composition, synthetic oils can often be found in much lighter weights compared to conventional oils.

Synthetic blend oils, on the other hand, feature a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils. These oils are not as common as full synthetic or conventional, and there are only a handful of engines that the manufacturer specifies that synthetic blend oil should be used. They're much cheaper than full synthetic oils, and they're a great option for older engines that originally used conventional oil from the factory. If your vehicle manufacturer specified synthetic oil for your engine, you should continue using only synthetic oil.

Viscosity index

One of the most important aspects of synthetic oil is its ability to avoid thinning in extra hot temperatures. Because synthetic oil can be formulated with specific use cases in mind, many of these oils can remain viscous and provide effective lubrication in conditions that would cause conventional oils to fail. However, you would do well to remember that oil will eventually lose some viscosity over time. As such, you want to look for oils that offer shear stability (which prevents the oil from losing viscosity as it slides between the engine’s metal surfaces), as this will prevent the majority of viscosity loss.

Customer reviews

If you are buying synthetic oil online, we strongly advise that you check out customer reviews before purchasing. Car enthusiasts love to talk about their automobiles. Head over to vehicle-related forums and see what other people are saying about a particular synthetic oil. This may help you decide in regards to the right choice for your own car. If you find an oil you like, contribute to the online discussion and leave your own feedback. You’ll be helping future buyers with your opinion.

Note: We'll also warn you in advance that many people get rather passionate about their choice of oils, and you may find that some of these discussions tend to devolve into mudslinging and personal insults. Try to avoid getting too emotionally invested - it's only engine oil, after all. Despite the fighting and the fluff, you'll find that there's still a lot of good information out there.

Synthetic oil price range

When using synthetic oils, you can expect to pay a lot more than you would for conventional oils. As mentioned previously, synthetic oil can cost up to four times as much as its natural counterpart. Expect to pay anywhere from $20-30 for a 5-quart jug of synthetic oil from a reputable brand.

Some Buyers Also Ask

Can you go more than 10,000 miles on synthetic oil?

If you are using fully synthetic oil, there’s nothing to say it won’t last more than 10,000 miles. However, the lifespan of synthetic oils varies depending on the brand. That being said, we have known certain oils to last nearly 20,000 miles.

To be on the safe side, you should still change your oil every 7,500-10,000 miles if you can.

What oil should I use in the winter?

When using synthetic oils in the winter, we recommend using an oil marked 5W or less. The W just means “winter.” However, many synthetic oils are rated as low as 0W and are specially formulated to be more viscous when cold. Of course, if you live in an area with relatively mild winter weather, feel free to continue using the same oil year-round.

What happens if you do not change your oil for a long time?

If you go too long without changing your oil, several things will occur. First, the oil itself will begin to break down and lose its ability to lubricate engine components. This causes accelerated wear and tear, and will potentially lead to engine damage and failure. Next, the contaminants suspended in the oil (dirt, microscopic metal shavings, other debris) will begin to build up as the filter loses its effectiveness. This also leads to a loss of lubrication and will cause internal wear. In extreme cases, the oil will begin to solidify and create deposits known as "sludge". If this condition remains unremedied, it will eventually destroy your engine. It's easy to avoid any of these situations - just make sure you change the oil on a regular basis.

What is synthetic oil made from?

Typically, synthetic oil is formulated with chemically modified ingredients from petroleum. There's an ongoing debate about what truly qualifies as "synthetic" oil, but the generally accepted standard refers to an engine oil with artificially derived ingredients.

Is changing the oil in your car easy?

If you know what you are doing, changing your car’s oil is a relatively straightforward process. Of course, you will need some rudimentary tools like an oil drain pan. You will also need to know how to dispose of the waste oil correctly (some companies specialize in disposing of your waste oil responsibly).