Mineral or synthetic oil - what's the difference and which one to choose for your engine?

The engine is the heart of every car. His refusal can expose you to huge costs. That is why you must take care of it properly. From the article you will learn which oil to choose mineral or synthetic and what can happen if the wrong type is poured into the engine.

What is engine oil used for?

Most drivers know that there must be oil in the engine. However, not everyone knows about its function. Its main task is to protect engine parts from seizing. This condition occurs when the metal parts of the engine come into direct contact with each other and friction occurs. To avoid this, a thin layer of oil is smeared inside the engine. It does not matter which oil you choose - mineral or synthetic.

Mineral or synthetic oil - which one to choose?

There are three types of motor oils on sale: 

• mineral;
• synthetic;
• mixed. 

The choice of mineral or synthetic oil depends on the model and make of the car. Typically, this information is provided by the manufacturer. And how to distinguish synthetic oil from mineral and mixed? This must be known so as not to damage the drive unit.

What is mineral oil and for which vehicles should it be used?

When to add mineral oil? Until recently, there was an opinion that one should use:

• mineral oil for the first 100 kilometers;
• mixed oil up to 200 kilometers;
• synthetic oil for the rest of the vehicle's life.

However, it is not. Mineral oil is produced by distilling crude oil and is now considered obsolete. In terms of characteristics, it is inferior to synthetics - it lubricates the engine worse and loses its lubricating properties at very high temperatures. 

These defects disappear when oil is poured into an older car model. In such cases, it has the following advantages:

• does not wash out all contaminants from the engine, which prevents depressurization of the drive unit;
• prevents clogging of the lubrication system.

In addition, it has a lower price than synthetic oil, which is often of no small importance to the user of the vehicle.

What is synthetic oil and where to use it?

In terms of engine protection, synthetic oil has a great advantage over mineral oil. It is most suitable for modern drives. It should not be used in older engines. Here are the benefits of synthetic oil:

• provides better protection at low temperatures, which makes it easier to start in winter;
• better tolerates high temperatures, which leads to less engine wear;
• it's more efficient;
• better protection against heavy loads;
• makes the engine much cleaner.

What are blended oils?

Blended oils are also called semi-synthetic oils. They are a kind of bridge between mineral and synthetic oils. Their price is slightly lower than synthetics. They will be ideal if your engine has been heavily used. When you don't know the history of your car and it has high mileage, semi-synthetics can be a good solution for you. If you know your engine is in good condition, you don't have to opt for a semi-synthetic oil.

Please note that this is a separate product with specific features. Don't choose it if you can't decide whether to choose mineral or synthetic oil. It will not fully replace either one or the other.

Is it possible to switch from mineral oil to semisynthetics?

Follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations when choosing engine oil. Information on whether to use mineral or synthetic oil can be found in the vehicle owner's manual. Not sure if you can switch from mineral oil to semi-synthetic? It is possible, but after appropriate training.

Before replacing, use a special tool - the so-called rinse aid. Safely dissolves impurities deposited inside the engine. It is necessary to pour the agent into the oil already warmed up to operating temperature and let the engine idle. Later, all you have to do is remove the old oil and replace the filters. After these procedures, you can safely pour synthetic oil into the engine. 

Whether you choose mineral or synthetic oil, remember to change it regularly. The condition of the engine largely depends on the quality of the oil.. Only with the right product you can enjoy a comfortable and safe ride.