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Synthetic vs Conventional Oil: Why Synthetic Motor Oil Is Better For Your Subaru

Whether you drive a Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek or any other Subaru vehicle, getting a regular oil change is the single best thing you can do to help your Subaru last longer. But it's essential to understand that there are significant differences in motor oils. The fact is, synthetic oil is much better for your engine than conventional motor oil. That's why we strongly recommend getting a regular oil change in your Subaru with synthetic oil. Here's why our Subaru service center believes that's so important for Massachusetts drivers.

Some advantages of synthetic motor oil over conventional oil

Synthetic motor oils use higher quality base oils than conventional oils which are formulated with less refined base oils. Conventional oil is less chemically stable than synthetic motor oil so it breaks down faster and loses its protective qualities more easily than synthetic oil. Full synthetic oils can give Taunton, MA drivers better engine performance and protection than conventional or even synthetic blend motor oils. A high-quality full synthetic motor oil provides other benefits you can't get with a conventional formula. Synthetic motor oil reduces wear, protects against high engine temperatures, controls oil breakdown and combats deposit buildup.

Here's How Synthetic Motor Oils Outperform Conventional Oil

Full synthetic motor oil gives you greater engine wear protection. Because engine components are in constant contact with one another and are moving at high speeds, components can break down fairly easily. Your motor oil is the only protective barrier between those components, helping to minimize friction as you drive around Providence, RI. When conventional motor oil breaks down, its ability to prevent engine wear-and-tear is reduced. But a full synthetic oil continues to protect your engine components for a lot longer. In fact, it can help keep your critical engine parts in first-rate condition for as much as 250,000 miles.

Synthetic Oil Keeps Your Engine Cleaner

As oil moves throughout your engine, it can pick up tiny, harmful deposits as you drive around Foxborough, MA. Given enough time, conventional motor can form sludge and that can reduce the efficiency of your engine, ultimately shortening its life. A full synthetic oil has fewer impurities than conventional oils and it will do a better job of resisting sludge in your engine. If your engine already has sludge, a first-rate synthetic motor oil can clean up virtually all of it with a single oil change.

Synthetic motor oil flows better at low temperatures

The oil in your engine will settle when your Subaru isn't being driven. Once you start the engine, the oil begins to flow through critical engine components to help protect against friction. Conventional oils take more time to flow smoothly throughout your engine. In the cold winter months you can experience in Norwood, MA, the flow process takes even longer. A full synthetic motor oil is engineered to flow rapidly even in frigid temperatures so it will start protecting your engine right after you start your Subaru.

Synthetic motor oil also protects your engine better at high temperatures

Engines can become extremely hot when they're operating. With the passage of time, those high engine temperatures can cause conventional motor oils to break down and that exposes your engine to excess wear. Full synthetic oil can resist high temperatures which is very important when you're driving in hot climates like you can experience around Warwick, RI. That will be especially helpful if your Subaru engine is working harder by towing in hot summertime conditions.

Synthetic motor oil allows longer oil change intervals

Full synthetic motor oil can last longer and should require oil changes less frequently than conventional oil. If you drive in normal conditions, a full synthetic oil can last as long as 7500 to 10,000 miles. If you drive in particularly dusty conditions or do a lot of driving in the city, you might need more frequent oil changes even with synthetic motor oil. Talk to one of our service advisors for a personalized recommendation at Patriot Subaru of North Attleboro in North Attleboro, MA.

Frequently Asked Questions About Synthetic Oil

Why Subaru Synthetic Oil is right for your car?

Synthetic oil, which consists of 80 percent synthetic base oil and 20 percent additives, is better formulated for low-friction, high-technology engine designs and for engines that face harsh driver demands. Naturally aspirated engines in the newest Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, and BRZ models as well as turbocharged models require Subaru Synthetic Motor Oil (or its equivalent). 

What is the difference?

There are three major differences between conventional and synthetic oils. Synthetic oil is more stable against breakdown, has a higher viscosity index, and demonstrates lower volatility.  What that means is that it lasts longer, it flows easier in a wider range of temperatures, and is actually slicker to reduce friction. An oil's ability to deal with heat and friction is the key, and synthetic oil does a better job.

What do the numbers and the "W" mean?

W does not stand for weight, it stands for Winter. The SAE classifications characterized the viscosity at low and high temperature of the lubricant. The grade is given by two numbers separated by the letter W (meaning winter).   The lower the numbers, the easier the flow rate. 

The first number, followed by W represents the low temperature viscosity, 5W, 10W, 15W... the lower this number, the more fluid at low temperature the oils, the easier the engine starts. 

The second number gives the high temperature viscosity: 30, 40, 50. The higher this number, the more viscous the oil when hot. 

Subaru Synthetic Motor Oil comes in two SAE weights: OW-20 and 5W-30. 

OW-20 is used in the non-turbo engine, designed for improved fuel economy and increased power. 5W-30 is formulated for the turbo engine, which runs at a higher temperature. It has increased protection against breakdown, and superior lubrication for optimal fuel economy. 5W-30 can be used for non-turbo vehicles, with the exception of the 2011 Forester.

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  1. Patriot Subaru of North Attleboro

    551 S Washington St
    North Attleboro, MA 02760

    • Sales: 774-220-0041
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