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Best Synthetic Motor Oil? Complete Guide
Motor oil protects your vehicle’s engine performance and longevity via lubrication, temperature regulation, and resistance to contamination and corrosion. In comparison to conventional oils and synthetic blends, synthetic motor oil offers additional benefits that are often well worth the extra cost.
Use the guide below to determine the best synthetic motor oil for your vehicle.
What Are the Benefits of Using Synthetic Motor Oil?
Synthetic motor oil offers vehicle owners longer oil change intervals, exceptional performance, and superior protection against breakdown, contaminants, and corrosion. Oil change frequency separates conventional, synthetic blend, and full synthetic motor oils.
Typically, synthetic oil lasts between 7,500 and 10,000 miles, but certain blends can also last up to 15,000 miles or more.
Like conventional and synthetic blend oils, synthetic motor oils feature a base oil and various additives that are closely guarded trade secrets. Synthetic oil features a more refined base oil and superior additives specifically formulated to boost engine performance and longevity.
Therefore, these oils tend to cater to high-output engines found in modern vehicles, including supercharged and turbocharged variants.
6 of the Best Synthetic Motor Oils
Some of the most well-known brands produce exceptional synthetic motor oils. Cadence stocks several of the following lubricants. Read on to learn which synthetic oil is best for your vehicle.
1. Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil
Amsoil is a popular motor oil brand known for its high-quality additives and excellent performance. The Signature Series synthetic motor oil blend features a 25,000-mile oil change interval.
Available in viscosities ranging from 0W-20 to 5W-50, Amsoil Signature Series synthetic motor oil is only available online or through a reputable dealer.
2. Castrol EDGE Advanced Full Synthetic
Certified by the API and ILSAC, Castrol EDGE Advanced Full Synthetic is well-suited to turbocharged engines and powerplants that often tow or haul. Castrol’s full synthetic motor oil is also renowned for its exceptional performance under high pressure.
Oil change intervals are every 10,000 miles, providing strong value for this widely available synthetic motor oil.
3. Mobil 1 Extended Performance
Mobil sets the bar high among other lubricants, and the Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic oil is no exception.
Certified by the ILSAC and API, this trusted brand’s synthetic oil ranges in viscosity from 0W-20 to 10W-30. With up to 15,000 miles between oil changes, Mobil 1 slots between the first two synthetic oils on our list.
Close to Amsoil in price and performance, but easily found at your local auto parts store, Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic oil exhibits exceptional thermal stability. This type of synthetic oil is ideal for high-mileage and turbocharged engines.
Mobil also produces other synthetic motor oils specially formulated for various applications.
4. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic motor oil performs well under cold-start conditions. The brand’s PurePlus™ technology features robust detergent properties, and this particular motor oil is API certified.
While Pennzoil doesn’t possess the same extended drain intervals as other synthetic motor oils on this list, it’s considered an affordable alternative to more expensive variants.
5. Royal Purple High-Performance Synthetic Oil
Modern daily drivers benefit from synthetic motor oil, but Royal Purple’s High-Performance Synthetic Oil is geared more toward high-performance sports cars and heavy-duty trucks that see high payloads and long hauls.
Royal Purple’s Synerlec® additive is reported to cut friction in half while boosting horsepower and torque. This API-certified synthetic oil is more expensive and may not be compatible with all OEM oil filters; however, its available viscosities range from 5W-30 to 15W-40.
6. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic
In contrast to Royal Purple’s synthetic motor oil, Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic oil targets daily drivers with enhanced anti-wear additives and sludge protection.
Certified by the API, this synthetic motor oil is available at most local auto parts stores in various viscosity grades. Valvoline’s synthetic motor oil can last up to 10,000 miles between oil changes.
How To Choose a Synthetic Motor Oil
With multiple synthetic motor oils to choose from at various price points, knowing which best suits your vehicle can be challenging. Many automotive manufacturers recommend a specific viscosity grade and even particular brands, depending on engine type, application, and climate.
Many vehicle owners select a synthetic motor oil based on its additives or industry certifications.
Manufacturer Recommendations
An automotive manufacturer’s motor oil recommendations can be found in the owner’s manual. When multiple viscosity grades are listed, each typically corresponds to climate or driving conditions. Vehicle owners can use different viscosity grades to match these circumstances, so long as those viscosities align with what’s listed in the owner’s manual.
Viscosity: Climate Conditions and Application
The “W” in a motor oil’s viscosity grade (such as 5W-30) signals its performance in winter conditions. Vehicles that operate in older climates require a lower “W” rating, while those that drive in primarily tropical climates do best with higher viscosity oils.
However, the application also dictates the appropriate synthetic motor oil based on whether the vehicle mainly travels long distances, tows considerable weight, or navigates stop-and-go traffic.
Additives
Each synthetic motor oil variant incorporates numerous additives, such as detergents, friction modifiers, and anti-wear agents. Brands closely guard the specific additive formulas used to create their individual synthetic oil products.
Oil Certification
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) certify motor oil. Both certifications overlap in certain characteristics.
However, API certifications focus on engine protection, durability, and compatibility, while ILSAC certifications prioritize fuel economy, emission system protection, and low-viscosity compatibility.
Source the Best Synthetic Motor Oil From Cadence
The best synthetic motor oil helps maintain high-performance engines by extending their oil change intervals and longevity. Trust the lubrication experts at Cadence to source superior synthetic motor oils tailored to your intended application.
Contact us at 336-629-2061 to discover more about the brands we carry and the lubrication services we offer.
Sources:
WHICH OIL IS RIGHT FOR YOU? | American Petroleum Institute
SP268-Q-Synthetic Motor Oils | The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service
Refining crude oil - the refining process | U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)