Does your car need to get an oil change, but you're not sure what kind of oil to put in your vehicle? If so, it will help to know the following information about motor oil so you can make a more informed decision

What The Difference Is Between Conventional Oil And Synthetic Oil

When you put oil into your vehicle, you are not just putting in pure oil. It is actually a combination of oil and additives, with the oil making up the majority of the mixture. If you are putting conventional oil into your vehicle, it means that the oil portion of the mixture is only from refined crude oil. 

Full synthetic oil replaces that oil component with a mixture that is made from petrochemicals that are designed to produce the ideal oil mixture to help your engine perform at its best. It is more expensive than regular oil, but can provide better performance at high speeds.

Synthetic blend combines the conventional oil with the full synthetic oil, which gives you some added benefits. For example, it will perform better by maintaining a lower temperature, and resist oxidation.

Think of the three as being low, medium, and high end oil respectively. You'll pay less for conventional oil, but it will have more wear on your engine. Full synthetic will cost more and be better for your engine. These oils only have an effect on engine performance, and do not prolong how long you need to go between oil changes. That will always remain the same based on how many miles you drive. 

What The Oil Numbers Mean

Many car manufacturers and auto service specialists recommend using a specific type of oil in a vehicle, which can be identified as the oil code number. For example, one commonly used oil is called 5W-30. This number is used to tell you the viscosity of the oil so you know how it reacts at different temperatures. The first number helps let you know how the oil reacts in cold temperatures, and the second number tells you how it works in the summer. A low number means the oil will become thinner at that temperature, and a high number means the oil will be thicker. A good way to remember it is that the W stands for winter, which is when temperatures are at their coldest. 5W-30 oil is often recommended because the oil has thin performance during the winter so that it can flow through the engine, and is still pretty thick in the summer time as well.