Friendly Collision Center

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil: Is It Worth the Added Cost?

We love when customers want to talk shop. Whether it’s expert-level or novice, we’re always happy to trade stories and answer questions about maintenance and upkeep. One question we sometimes hear around Friendly Collision Center is, “Is synthetic oil really worth the added cost?” The answer: probably!

Synthetic oil is engineered from conventional oil to improve its lubricating properties, stability, and longevity. Advantages of using a synthetic over a conventional oil include better engine lubrication, improved viscosity and engine protection, longer oil life, decreased scaling (sludge and deposits), and in some cases increased gas mileage. Synthetic oils and synthetic blends are the go-to choice for many high-performance vehicle owners or older-vehicle owners looking to extend the life of their cars. If it were purely an apples-to-apples comparison, we’d recommend opting for synthetic oil over conventional whenever possible.

That said, it does come with a cost.

A synthetic oil change can run you $20 to $50 more than a conventional oil change, depending on your make and model.

Synthetic blends, available at some shops, provide a happy medium on price, costing roughly $10 to $30 more.

While we recognize this is a significant amount of money, we encourage car owners to see it as protecting their investment. Getting the most out of your car—and the most back when you sell it or trade it in—is always the goal, and a little extra spent over the lifetime of the car can really pay off later.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you schedule oil changes regularly—every 3,000 miles or three months for late-model vehicles, and every 5,000-6,000 miles or six months for newer vehicles. Watch for leaks and the smell of burning oil—and be sure to check the oil before long road trips (on level ground while the engine is cold).

A well-lubricated engine is a happy engine. Whether it’s conventional or synthetic, oil keeps your engine’s parts moving smoothly and cleanly, provides temperature control, and prevents wear and tear, so don’t ignore your oil!

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