
The amounts of time you can wait before changing your oil tends to differ greatly between conventional and synthetic oils, however, synthetic blend engine oil is much closer to the average full synthetic change interval. However, for a typical price difference of $8 to $9 per 5 qt, car owners can enjoy benefits such as the use of engine oils that are three times stronger against viscosity breakdown and far better behavior when subjected to high pressure and temperature fluctuations. Synthetic oils are about 30% more expensive as the average synthetic blend, and their increased life span doesn’t always compensate for that cost. When it comes to the cost, synthetic blend vs full synthetic is no contest at all. Pricing Differences between Synthetic and Blend As a result, great care has to be taken when choosing the exact composition that would offer a suitable level of performance when it comes to your own vehicle.

Semi-synthetic motor oils are also not fully regulated by clear cut standards regarding the concentration of mineral or synthetic compounds. This isn’t the case, since even with high performance additives, the best blends of synthetic and mineral oil are not capable of reaching the same performance.

They were first introduced by Mobil in 1966, and are typically engineered to offer similar benefits as their full synthetic counterparts, but at a much lower cost. Part-synthetic oils are a blend between synthetic and mineral oils. Moreover, OEMs recommend synthetic for better protection under warranty and longer drain intervals. The newer standards for corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) also drive the need for low-viscosity oils that need to have a synthetic base, cutting friction and enhancing overall engine efficiency. The extended oil blend intervals of up to 15,000 miles and the superior protection offered for power-intense engines are just part of the story. Better machining and metallurgy means that engines can be built and assembled to far tighter tolerances than a generation ago, and synthetic offers superior protection for these engines. In fact, manufacturers and car owners alike have recently begun using it to a greater extent, because of the high efficiency of some synthetic brands. Why Is Full Synthetic Oil Used More Often?įull synthetic oil is used more frequently for a number of reasons. Since many drivers don't want to pay the price for full synthetic compounds, synthetic blends are offered by many manufacturers as a cost-effective, yet highly efficient alternative that is still superior to conventional mineral motor oil. Firstly: synthetic is more expensive, but is commonly known as the superior choice when it comes to long-lasting engine protection. Synthetic blend oil was first introduced in the 1960s, and people have been curious about the difference between it and full synthetic engine oil ever since.
