Is It Worthwhile To Splurge On Motor Oil?

For such a routine and relatively simple maintenance task, few automotive topics inspire quite as much discussion and debate as motor oil. Whether it’s how often to change it or what kind to use, it seems like opinions on the subject tend to vary pretty wildly – and even after all this commotion, there still doesn’t seem to be a good answer to whether or not buying and using an expensive motor oil even makes a big difference. And as any mechanic will tell you, even a cheap oil change might be just fine for your vehicle.

This argument gets especially confusing not only because there are so many oil options out there, but also because it really matters what type of car you drive and how you drive it. Only by getting a more holistic view at your driving habits and your car’s needs can you really figure out which motor oil is right for you – and if you do, your engine will reward you with thousands of miles of performance.

While your owner’s manual will tell you the correct viscosity of oil needed for your car, it almost definitely won’t dive into the deeper details of buying motor oil. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at different motor oil options to make the choice easier for any driver who isn’t sure what to make of all the oil options in front of them.

Synthetic Motor Oil Vs. Conventional

you may have noticed that motor oils tend to come in three forms: conventional, a synthetic blend, or fully synthetic. The difference, of course, is in how they’re made: while conventional oil is produced from refined petroleum and typically contains minerals, synthetic oil is created artificially by combining other raw elements and is typically mineral-free. A blend, of course, is some proportional mixture of the two.

While synthetic oils usually tend to cost significantly more than conventional oils, this is usually earned back in synthetics lasting much longer and offering superior high- and low-temperature protection. Many high-performance vehicles require or benefit much more from synthetic oils, and synthetics can be found in many racing vehicles.

Whether or not it’s worth it to spend the extra money, however, is up for debate. If you’re looking for a quality oil for your daily driver, chances are you won’t experience the kind of dramatic temperature shifts a high-performance car does, and it’s likely the average consumer can get the same protection from regular conventional oil changes as opposed to less frequent, more expensive synthetic oil changes. For many drivers, conventional may actually be the more cost-effective choice for the same protection.

High-Mileage Motor Oil

Of course, once your vehicle has seen its fair share of miles already, the story changes. For engines with a particularly high number of miles on their odometer – say, over 75,000 – it might be more worthwhile to switch to a synthetic or synthetic blend, or at least a conventional oil specifically made for high-mileage engines.

These high-mileage oils typically contain additives and conditioners to not only better preserve your engine and valves, but also to clean out some of the sludge left from oil long gone. This means better performance for your older vehicle and less of a chance of breakdown in the near future. Although these high-mileage oils generally cost more than regular options, this is one case in which spending the money is definitely worth it.

So whether you drive a sporty roadster or a clunky minivan, few things are more important in caring for your vehicle than good engine oil habits. Whichever kind of oil you choose will benefit your engine during regular oil changes, so don’t forget to get out there and be good to your engine – and plan on doing so for years to come.