Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil – Which Should You Choose?

Were you unsure which to choose when you were presented with the synthetic vs. conventional oil options during your last service visit? Which should you opt for? Is synthetic oil better for keeping your car running smoothly on our Laguna Niguel roads? The service center staff at Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel wants you to be prepared for your next service visit. So, we’ve put together a comparison below to help you with your synthetic oil vs. regular oil debate.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil – Where Do They Come From?

You’ve seen those oil wells pumping away, extracting crude oil from the ground. That’s where conventional oil comes from. Contrary to popular belief, this oil did not start out as dinosaurs, but rather as organisms that lived around the same time as dinosaurs. Synthetic oil, despite how the name sounds, also comes from the ground and starts as crude oil. Is synthetic oil better in some way? Yes, synthetic is treated by specific petrochemicals for extra refinement. That turns out to be an advantage for synthetic in this synthetic oil vs. regular oil comparison, especially since many of our Orange County customers are concerned about performance. The more refined the oil, the better it performs and the longer it lasts. 

Synthetic Oil vs. Regular Oil – Performance

We can’t do a synthetic vs. conventional oil comparison without talking about viscosity. Viscosity relates to the oil’s ability to flow through the engine. Is synthetic oil better in this regard, too? Synthetic oil has been cleansed of many of the contaminants found in conventional oil. These contaminants result in more engine sludge and buildup. Synthetic oil flows better at all temperatures because it is cleaner. That means the various parts of your engine are better lubricated with synthetic oil. As a result, synthetic oil also has to be changed less frequently than conventional and contributes to better gas mileage on your Aliso Viejo commute. 

Schedule Your Next Service at Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel

The experienced staff at our service center would be glad to walk you through all the differences between conventional oil and synthetic oil. You can even schedule an appointment online. In the meantime, check out our other automotive tips and advice. We’re just a short drive away from San Juan Capistrano. So, drop by or contact us today!