When you work at an automotive service center, there’s no shortage of questions from curious customers! At Douglass Nissan of Waco’s very own Service Center, we set out to publicly provide answers to some of these questions, since there’s probably someone wondering the very same thing who just hasn’t asked yet! In this article, we cover a question that comes up pretty frequently: “what’s the difference between synthetic oil and regular oil” – and furthermore, “when it comes to my next Nissan oil change, do I need to worry about this distinction?” Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions, and be sure to reach out to us if you have any more questions or concerns!

 

 

Conventional or “regular” oil is the petroleum based substance that’s been used in the internal combustion engine for over a century to provide lubrication to internal moving parts, thus reducing friction and engine-wear. Motor oil is, in its simplest definition, distilled from crude oil that’s drilled or mined from the ground, and has properties that also protect your vehicle’s engine from high operating temperatures.

Synthetic oil is a petroleum based fluid, like conventional oil, that also goes through a chemical development process meant to enhance the oil to provide more desired properties, such as less oxidation, less viscosity at lower temperatures, and even enhanced engine cleaning abilities.

In addition to the types of oils mentioned above, there’s also a blend of the two, appropriately named ‘synthetic blends’. If you’re debating whether to go full synthetic oil vs. synthetic blend oil, it’s important to remember that synthetic blends, when appropriate, help reduce the cost of going full synthetic, while still providing enhanced properties over standard conventional oils.

It’s worth noting that there’s vehicles out there, some Nissan models included, that require full synthetic oil for peak operation and normal wear levels. Ask your Service Advisor or Nissan Product Expert about this the next time you schedule your Nissan oil change appointment.

Is it time for your vehicle’s next oil change? Do you need help making a decision regarding full synthetic oil vs. synthetic blend? You can take care of scheduling that appointment and getting your questions answered right here on our website! Our team of Nissan Service Experts and Technicians are trained to get the job done right the first time, every time!