Engine oil plays a critical role in protecting your engine, improving performance, and extending the life of your vehicle. But with so many choices available, how do you know which oil is right for your car? And what’s the difference between a high-quality engine oil and conventional oil?
What’s the difference?
1. Engine Protection
High-quality engine oils are engineered to deliver strong protection against wear, especially under extreme heat, pressure, or load. Conventional oils, by contrast, offer basic protection but may break down faster over time.
2. Cleaner Engine Performance
Good engine oils contain powerful cleaning agents that help prevent sludge and deposits from forming inside the engine. This keeps internal parts cleaner and running more efficiently. Conventional oils may not offer the same level of cleanliness, especially over longer drain intervals.
3. Temperature Stability
Whether you are starting your car on a cold morning or driving long distances in hot weather, high-quality oils perform more consistently. They resist thickening in the cold and thinning in the heat better than conventional oils.
4. Fuel Efficiency
Good engine oils are formulated to reduce friction, which helps your engine run more smoothly and can even improve fuel economy. In contrast, conventional oils have higher internal resistance and may slightly reduce efficiency over time.
5. Longer oil change intervals
Good engine oils allow for extended drain intervals, meaning fewer oil changes and lower long-term maintenance costs. Most importantly, a good engine oil must retain all of these properties throughout its lifespan, not just in the first few weeks of use.