Engine Oil: Breaking Down Different Types and Uses

Let’s Break Down the Different Types of Oil 

Engine oil is tasked with completing a big job — not only does it have to lubricate your engine while keeping friction to a minimum, but it also has to keep your engine clean and cool. While your engine's cooling system plays a major part in regulating your engine’s temperature, your engine oil can contribute to up to 40% of your engine's heat dissipation. Because your engine oil has such a large workload, it's important to keep it clean and changed on time to ensure that it can protect your engine like it's designed to.

At Martin Tire, we provide quick and efficient oil change service, so you can get back on the road with optimal protection for your engine. Our expert mechanics are ASE- certified, and we use high-quality oil and oil filters to preserve your vehicle's performance and fuel economy. Let's take a look at the different types of oil and their uses and find out why drivers Trust Martin Tire for all of their oil change needs.

Not All Engine Oil is Created Equal

Although all oil may have the same tasks of cooling, lubricating, and protecting your engine, not all oil provides the same protection. Additionally, not all vehicles are compatible with every type of oil. Here are the three main types of engine oil:

Conventional Oil 

Conventional oil is refined from crude oil and is intended to lubricate and protect your engine. Conventional oil is great for some vehicles, but unfortunately, because of its natural properties and oxidative temperatures, it does not provide adequate protection for every engine. For example, conventional oil oxidizes and loses its protective and lubricated properties at around 275°F. While this is fine for many naturally aspirated engines, high-performance vehicles and vehicles that use a turbocharger often see higher engine temperatures and need more protection. Therefore, many high-performance and turbocharged engines cannot use conventional oil. 

Synthetic Blend Oil 

Synthetic blend oil is sometimes referred to as high-mileage oil because it is often designed to meet the needs of high-mileage engines. This type of oil generally features a conventional oil base but takes advantage of synthetic compounds to provide extra protection. Because high-mileage engines typically face challenges of carbon buildup and gasket leaks, you’ll find that synthetic blends often feature specialized detergents to help fight carbon buildup, along with sealants that can prevent gasket leaks. Some drivers switch from conventional to synthetic blend oil because it offers better protection while actively working to extend the life of their engines.

Full Synthetic Oil 

Full synthetic oil is so named because it is made from chemically modified compounds. Much like conventional oil, full synthetic oil is also made from crude oil. However, rather than being refined like conventional oil, full synthetic oil is distilled and chemically modified to provide superior protection against breakdown, friction, and heat. This type of oil can withstand temperatures of 450°F and resist oxidation. This is the gold standard for engine protection. Additionally, this is the type of oil that many high-performance engines use due to its resistance to heat. Full synthetic oil is also thinner than conventional oil and is able to pass through your oil filter more freely and trap contaminants better. 

Car Oil Needs to Be Changed No Matter What Type You Use 

Regardless of what type of oil your vehicle uses, it's eventually going to need a car oil change.  The frequency of your car’s oil change will depend largely on your own driving habits, as well as the type of oil that you use. Because conventional oil offers adequate protection for many engines, we recommend changing conventional oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Because synthetic blend offers the value of conventional oil while providing the added protection of synthetic oil, the cost of this type of oil usually falls somewhere in between the cost of conventional and synthetic oils. We recommend that you change synthetic blend oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Last but not least is full synthetic oil. This type of oil offers the best protection for your engine and can withstand the high temperatures that you'll find inside a turbocharger. Because full synthetic oil offers the best protection, we recommend that you change this type of oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Trust Martin Tire Company for Quality Oil Change Services

An oil change is one of the most important services that you can perform on your vehicle. 

At Martin Tire Company, we make it easy for you to keep your vehicle in shape and ready for the next road trip. From our dedicated maintenance services like oil change services to extensive repair services, Martin Tire Company goes the extra mile to keep your vehicle on the road. In addition to our ASE-certified mechanics, we also use high-quality replacement parts, and we strive to save you money thanks to our ever-changing car repair and oil change coupons.

Schedule your vehicle’s oil change service at Martin Tire Company today!