Matt Erickson, mechanical engineer – product manager, passenger car, Amsoil

Ask the Expert: What is the difference between synthetic and conventional oil?

Aug. 15, 2015
Conventional oil is refined from crude oil, which contains a number of contaminants, such as sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, waxes and metal components.

Q: What is the difference between synthetic and conventional oil?

A. Conventional oil is refined from crude oil, which contains a number of contaminants, such as sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, waxes and metal components. A portion of these contaminants make it into the final product and reduce the oil’s life and performance. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, are custom-built from the molecular level to meet specific design targets. Their pure, uniform molecular structures impart properties that provide better friction-reduction, optimum fuel efficiency, maximum film strength and extreme-temperature performance conventional lubricants just can’t touch. As a result, synthetics provide excellent and long-lasting equipment protection.

Information provided by: Amsoil

About the Author

Matt Erickson

Sponsored Recommendations

Report: The 2024 State of Heavy-Duty Repair

From capitalizing on the latest revenue trends to implementing strategic financial planning—this report serves as a roadmap for navigating the challenges and opportunities of ...

Fleet Industry Benchmarks: How does your fleet stack up?

Discover how your fleet compares to industry benchmarks and gain insights from a 2024 Benchmarking Report on maintenance spend, turnaround time, and more. Join us to identify ...

Reducing CSA Violations & Increasing Safety With Advanced Trailer Telematics

Keep the roads safer with advanced trailer telematics. In this whitepaper, see how you can gain insights that lead to increased safety and reduced roadside incidents—keeping drivers...

80% Fewer Towable Accidents - 10 Key Strategies

After installing grille guards on all of their Class 8 trucks, a major Midwest fleet reported they had reduced their number of towable accidents by 80% post installation – including...