Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil

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Your vehicle’s engine is one of its most vital systems. Without it, your car wouldn’t be able to get you around the Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens areas. That’s why it’s important to take care of it! One way you can do that is by keeping your motor oil in check, whether that oil is synthetic or conventional.

This guide was put together by our team at BMW of Manhattan to help you better understand the differences between these two types of oil, as well as how they need to be taken care of. Contact us today for an appointment!

The Main Differences

Synthetic oil and conventional oil are similar in job title, but differ in other aspects such as:

  • What they’re made of
  • How eco-friendly they are
  • What they cost
  • How often they need to be changed

Keep reading for a breakdown of each of these differences and how they affect you and your vehicle.

What Are They Made Of?

Conventional oil, in short, is made of petroleum. Petroleum is a natural liquid substance that is formed in geological formations under the Earth’s crust. It is then extracted and refined into oils like the ones we put into our vehicles.

Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is man-made. By compounding chemicals and reducing them to liquid form, these synthetic oils mimic the lubricative consistency seen in conventional oils.

How Eco-Friendly Are They?

As you can imagine, the differences between what conventional oil and synthetic oil are made of influence how they affect the environment. For starters, as a non-renewable resource, the petroleum that conventional oil is made from affects the environment just by being non-sustainable.

As for synthetic oil, it’s not a natural substance, so we’re not taking anything away from the natural world. But, synthetic oil is man-made and chemical-based.

Though on the plus side, because synthetic oil lasts longer, we are using less oil in the long run.

What About Cost?

Synthetic oil costs more than conventional oil. Synthetic oil, as a man-made product, costs more to manufacture than it costs to harvest conventional oil. However, synthetic oil changes occur less frequently than conventional oil changes.

How Often Should They Be Changed?

As mentioned above, synthetic and conventional oils need to be changed at different intervals.  Specifically, conventional oil needs to be changed either every 5,000 to 6,000 miles or every six months. As for synthetic oil, you’ll have a bit more time between oil changes which should occur every 10,000 to 15,000 miles driven or once a year.

Whether your car takes conventional or synthetic oil, it’s important to follow the timeline set out by your vehicle’s owner’s manual, since not having your oil changed regularly could have lasting effects on your engine.

Let’s Get Your Oil Changed Today!

Now that you know everything there is to know about how synthetic oils and conventional oils differ, it’s time to get in touch with us at BMW of Manhattan to get your oil changed today. Luckily, we cater to vehicles with both synthetic and conventional oil so there’s nothing getting in the way of your oil change, except for the short drive from Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens.

Get in touch with us to schedule your oil change service appointment today!