Internal combustion engines no longer need oil changes every 3,000 miles or three months like they used to, even 10 years ago. Now, they might need oil changes for 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or up to 15,000 miles for luxury, high-end sports cars like your Maserati. Even better, newer vehicles with high-tech sensors and computer software use an oil change monitoring system to tell you when it’s time for your next oil change. You don’t need to keep an eye on those oil change reminders in the corner of your windshield anymore.
When you bring your vehicle to our service center from New Milford or Stamford, you can choose between synthetic vs. conventional oil (also called regular oil). Wondering about the differences between synthetic oil vs. regular oil? You’ll love this guide from our service technicians! Read on to find more details about whether synthetic vs. conventional oil offers a better option for your vehicle.
Feel free to contact us, schedule service, or call 833-244-3818. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have!
What Is Conventional Oil?
Conventional oil starts as crude petroleum, mined from the ground and refined to make it work properly in your internal combustion engine. Like any fresh motor oil, it’s a translucent, light brown color and it flows smoothly. You’ll easily see through the conventional oil to look at the markings on your vehicle’s dipstick to see the oil level of your vehicle. Conventional oil lubricates your vehicle’s pistons as they move rapidly up and down. Oil reduces wear on those metal parts, preventing overheating, friction, and breakdowns. When you change your vehicle’s oil regularly, it can make your engine last longer.
Conventional oil is also the least expensive option when you get an oil change. But it may not be the best option for the long-term ownership of your vehicle in the synthetic vs. conventional oil debate.
What Is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic oil, much like conventional oil, comes from crude petroleum. It looks the same as regular oil, and you can’t tell the difference just by looking at it. However, the main difference is that refineries can custom-make fully synthetic oils containing enhanced lubrication properties, anti-oxidizers, and stabilizers that make them last longer than regular motor oil.
As such, automakers can manufacture engine parts that work best with the lubricants that refineries manufacture. Synthetic oils minimize wear and tear on the engine, even as the engine gets more than 100,000 miles on it. Synthetic oils oxidize less easily than conventional oils, allowing them to retain their protective properties for many more months and for thousands of more miles. That’s why you can go longer between oil change intervals when you use synthetic vs. conventional oil. It’s a better long-term investment as a car owner, and you can help your vehicle run more smoothly for well over a decade.
Synthetic vs Conventional Oil: Costs
The lone downside to synthetic motor oils is the cost. They are more expensive than regular oils at the time you get your oil change. Over time, it’s cheaper because you don’t bring your car in for as many oil changes. Plus, having better wear protection improves the return on your investment for several years because your engine lasts longer.
For example, you might change your oil once every 3,000 miles at $90 for a conventional oil change but then once every 7,500 miles at $150 for a synthetic oil change. In that same time frame, you would have spent $180 for two conventional oil changes, so you save $30. And, your engine receives better protection against wear because fully synthetic oil works so much better than conventional oil.
Synthetic oils also:
- Handle lower temperatures more easily, which is one key for frigid CT winters.
- Offer enhanced engine-cleaning properties with added cleansers to keep the oil more viable for a longer time between oil changes.
- Protect turbocharger parts (when equipped) better in smaller engines to help them run more efficiently.
Full Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blends
Synthetic blends of motor oils provide a third choice for car owners. These offer a mixture of synthetic oil and conventional oil to reduce the costs of your fully synthetic oil change while giving you some benefits of synthetic oil. Yes, it is less expensive than fully synthetic oil. But the effectiveness of the oil isn’t quite the same as full synthetic oil vs synthetic blends.
Many modern vehicles, like your new Maserati, require full synthetic oil as stated in the owner’s manual. Check your owner’s manual or vehicle’s information center, or contact our service experts, if you’re not sure what type of oil your vehicle needs. We’d be happy to help you determine the best type of motor oil for your internal combustion engine.
Schedule an Oil Change Near Stamford
When deciding between synthetic vs. conventional oil, our service team highly recommends synthetic oil for your vehicle. It’s part of how we take care of your investment after you lease or purchase a world-class Maserati. Take better care of your vehicle by stopping by our service center for an oil change when it’s ready. You’ll get more out of your vehicle, and the engine will last longer to prevent higher repair costs later.
Check out our service specials to see if you can save money on your next maintenance, repair, or oil change. Make sure to read our service tips and service information hub to get the most out of your vehicle ownership. We’re happy to help in any way we can!
