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    • Matt Erickson, mechanical engineer – product manager, passenger car, Amsoil
    1. Equipment
    2. Powertrain

    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

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