Synthetic Oil vs. Regular Oil: What’s the Difference?

When you drive a performance-forward car like a Maserati, the fluids you put into it are critically important. Add the wrong thing and you might find yourself having engine problems in Lawrence, KS or Wichita, KS. Knowing if your car needs synthetic oil or regular oil is one of the most important things you need to know about your car. So, what’s the difference in synthetic vs. regular oil, and what does it mean for your Maserati? The service department at Maserati of Kansas City can help!

What is Conventional—Regular—Oil?

Conventional oil is a petroleum product that’s been a standby for combustion engines for ages. This variety of oil is distilled from crude oil that’s mined through oil drills. Petroleum is able to withstand the high temperatures engines generate, which is why it remains in use. It lubricates the moving parts of your car’s engine and keeps them from getting too hot or damaged from friction.

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil starts the same way as conventional oil but it’s further refined, removing the properties that don’t help your engine, and adding chemicals to boost its performance. This makes it more expensive, but also much better than conventional oil. It doesn’t acidify or oxidize as quickly or easily as conventional oil because it’s more chemically stable. That makes it harder to break down than conventional oil. It remains less viscous at lower temperatures, has enhanced engine-cleaning properties, and provides better protection to turbocharger engine parts. Synthetic oil lasts longer than conventional oil, which means you can go longer between oil changes. Your Maserati requires synthetic oil for optimal performance.

How Do Full Synthetic vs. Synthetic Blends Differ?

These oil options are just like they sound—full synthetic oil is 100 percent synthetic, while synthetic blends combine synthetic and conventional oils. This provides some of the protective qualities of a full synthetic oil at a lower price.

Schedule an Oil Change in Merriam Now!

If it’s time to get the synthetic oil in your Maserati changed, Maserati of Kansas City offers service that’s quick and convenient to St. Louis, MO. Schedule an appointment with us today. If you’d like to learn more about the inner workings of your Maserati and how to best care for it between service appointments, pay a visit to our service hub for more information.