Full Synthetic vs. Synthetic Blend: Understanding the Difference
As a car owner, you may have come across the terms full synthetic and synthetic blend when shopping for motor oil. While both are synthetic oils, they differ in their composition, performance, and price. In this article, we’ll explain what full synthetic and synthetic blend oils are, their uses, and the differences between them.
What is Full Synthetic?
Full synthetic oil is a motor oil that is entirely man-made, with no natural components. It is made by synthesizing various chemical compounds to create a high-performance lubricant. Full synthetic oil is often called the “best” type of oil because of its superior performance and uniformity.
Examples of Full Synthetic:
Some popular examples of full synthetic oils include:
- Mobil 1
- Castrol Edge
- Valvoline SynPower
- Amsoil Signature Series
Uses of Full Synthetic:
Full synthetic oil is ideal for high-performance vehicles, extreme temperature conditions, and any car that requires better fuel economy. It offers numerous benefits, including:
- Reduced engine wear
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Longer-lasting performance
- Better cold weather performance
- Increased horsepower
What is Synthetic Blend?
A synthetic blend or “semi-synthetic” oil is a blend of synthetic and conventional motor oil. Typically, synthetic blend oil contains 20% to 30% synthetic oil and the rest is conventional oil. It is created to provide some of the benefits of synthetic oil at a more affordable price.
Examples of Synthetic Blend:
Some popular examples of synthetic blend oils include:
- Valvoline DuraBlend
- Pennzoil Synthetic Blend
- Mobil Super Synthetic Blend
- Castrol GTX Magnatec Blend
Uses of Synthetic Blend:
Synthetic blend oil is suitable for most cars and is an excellent choice for drivers who want improved performance, including:
- Better engine protection than conventional oil
- Improved fuel efficiency compared with conventional oil
- Increased performance in extreme temperatures
- Protects engines from sludge and deposits
Differences Between Full Synthetic and Synthetic Blend:
To help you decide between full synthetic and synthetic blend oils, we’ve listed ten key differences in the table below.
| Full Synthetic | Synthetic Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% synthetic oil | 20-30% synthetic oil blended with conventional oil |
| Price | More expensive than synthetic blend | Less expensive than full synthetic |
| Performance | Better performance than synthetic blend | Lesser performance than full synthetic |
| Wear Protection | Better engine wear protection than synthetic blend | Lesser engine wear protection than full synthetic |
| Viscosity Index | Higher viscosity index than synthetic blend | Lower viscosity index than full synthetic |
| Fuel Economy | Better fuel economy than synthetic blend | Lesser fuel economy than full synthetic |
| Temperature Performance | Better performance in high and low temperatures than synthetic blend | Lesser performance in high and low temperatures than full synthetic |
| Oil Change Interval | Longer oil change interval than synthetic blend and conventional oil | Shorter oil change interval than full synthetic but longer than conventional oil |
| Vehicle Compatibility | Fewer vehicles are compatible with full synthetic than with synthetic blend and conventional oil | Much wider compatibility than full synthetic |
| Environmental Impact | Better for the environment than synthetic blend and conventional oil | Lesser impact on the environment than conventional oil |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, both full synthetic and synthetic blend oils offer several benefits and are made to meet different driving needs. Choosing which one to use comes down to several factors, including budget, driving conditions, and vehicle compatibility.
Knowledge Check:
1. What is full synthetic oil?
Answer: A motor oil that is entirely man-made, with no natural components.
2. What is synthetic blend oil?
Answer: A blend of synthetic and conventional motor oil.
3. Which type of oil is more expensive?
Answer: Full synthetic oil.
4. Which type of oil has better performance?
Answer: Full synthetic oil.
5. What are some benefits of synthetic blend oil?
Answer: Increased engine protection, improved fuel efficiency, and increased performance in extreme temperatures.
6. What is the composition of synthetic blend oil?
Answer: 20-30% synthetic oil blended with conventional oil.
7. Which type of oil has a higher viscosity index?
Answer: Full synthetic oil.
8. Which type of oil has better fuel economy?
Answer: Full synthetic oil.
9. Which type of oil has better temperature performance?
Answer: Full synthetic oil.
10. Which type of oil is better for the environment?
Answer: Full synthetic oil.
Related Topics:
- How Often to Change Oil
- Conventional vs. Synthetic Oil
- Types of Engine Oil
- Benefits of Using Synthetic Oil
