Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil

Does your Buick or GMC vehicle take synthetic oil or regular oil? If you’re unsure, then don’t worry! The service centre at Capital GMC Buick is here to put Sherwood Park drivers like yourself at ease. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide detailing the differences between synthetic and conventional as well as what’s recommended for different vehicle types. We also cover full synthetic oil and synthetic blends. 

Take a look at our guide, and reach out to us for all of your vehicle repair and maintenance needs!

What Is Conventional (Regular) Oil?

To compare synthetic vs. conventional oil, let’s start by going over conventional oil. Conventional or “regular” oil is a petroleum-based substance that’s been used in internal combustion engines for many years to provide lubrication to internal parts and reduce engine wear. Motor oil is essentially distilled from crude oil that’s mined from the ground, and it also serves to protect your car’s engine from high temperatures.

What Is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is petroleum-based like regular oil, but it provides enhanced lubrication properties and is more stable. Synthetic oil oxidizes less easily than conventional oil and is also better at retaining protective properties. It’s chemically developed from petrochemicals in intense processes to provide pinpointed properties that make them superior (and also more expensive) than conventional oils. 

Synthetic oil also:

• Is less viscous at lower temperatures
• Offers enhanced engine cleaning properties
• Protects critical turbocharger parts better (when equipped)

Full Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blends

In addition to synthetic oil and regular oil, there are synthetic blends. These, as you might expect, are made up of part synthetic oil and part conventional oil, which helps to reduce the cost compared to full synthetic. It also provides enhanced properties to standard conventional oil.

For any other questions about full synthetic oil or synthetic blends, drivers are encouraged to reach out to us. Leduc drivers should note that some vehicles require full synthetic oil, and that could include your GMC or Buick vehicle! Be sure to check your owner’s manual if in doubt about what kind of oil your car requires.

Choose Synthetic or Conventional Oil in Edmonton!

Still not sure whether your vehicle needs synthetic or regular oil? Contact us to get a proper idea of what your vehicle needs, and don’t forget to schedule service with us to get an oil change efficiently and affordably.