Best Synthetic Motor Oils
Synthetic motor oils are artificially-made oils that are usually used as an alternative to conventional oils. In short terms, they are used as a substitute for the most common lubricants refined from petroleum. Generally speaking, these types of oils provide superior mechanical and chemical properties as opposed to conventional mineral oils. Most car enthusiasts recommend these oils as they provide a huge range of benefits, especially if your car is driven hard or is a performance vehicle. On the other hand, like any other product, they also have a few drawbacks. However, keep on reading the following lines and you will surely find a synthetic motor oil that will meet all your car requirements.
Top 6 Synthetic Motor Oils Comparison
Reviews of the Top Synthetic Motor Oils of 2017
Mobil 1 120758
This synthetic oil is engineered to help improve fuel economy in those vehicles where 5W-20 or SAE 0W-20 motor oil is recommended. This advanced full formula is specifically designed to highly protect your engine and enhance fuel economy. The Mobil 1 120758 meets or exceeds ILSAC GF-5 requirements. It features a proprietary blend of great performance synthetic base stocks with an excellent balanced component additive system. It also features a low viscosity and an advanced full synthetic formulation, which together will help increase the engine efficiency. It provides the high-temperature protection of higher viscosity oils while it actually offers the best fuel economy in the Mobil 1 line. It will improve the fuel economy up to 2%, based on a comparison versus those grades that are most commonly used. Actual savings are depending on the vehicle/engine type, outside temperature, and driving conditions. Even if this oil is quite expensive, it is definitely worth every penny, as it will provide excellent results.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Helps reduce oil aging | |
| Quick cold-weather starting and fast protection | |
| Advanced full synthetic formula | |
| Increases engine efficiency | |
| Improves fuel economy up to 2 percent |
Castrol 03124 EDGE 0W-20
This synthetic motor oil is second on our top, and it is an excellent one. It provides a high performance against deposits, wear, and oxidation as well. The Castrol 03124 EDGE 0W-20 will successfully meet the needs of Toyota, Acura, Lexus, Honda, and other vehicles where 0W-20 grade is recommended. It exceeds ILSAC GF-5, ACEA A1, ACEA B1, and API SN requirements. You will definitely like the fact that it will provide the highest level of protection for critical engine parts, which means that your vehicle will actually be able to perform at its maximum. This is an advanced full formula that features a unique and proprietary formula. This innovative formula will highly reduce volatility and it will provide a superior protection for critical engine parts helping your car run efficiently at power. All in all, we strongly recommend the Castrol 0W-20, as it is one of the best formulas available on the market today.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| 42 % better on fighting power robbing deposits | |
| Exceeds ILSAC GF-5, API SN, ACEA A1, ACEA B1 | |
| High performance against deposits, wear and oxidation | |
| Helps your car perform at its maximum |
Pennzoil 550038221
Another great synthetic oil that will definitely provide wonderful results is the Pennzoil 550038221. It is extremely efficient at cleaning out the engine sludge a lot better than conventional and synthetic blend oils that are available on the market today. It is important that you protect your engine so that your car can operate properly. Therefore, what you need to do is to go for a high-quality synthetic oil. This formula exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer requirements for protection and cleanliness as well. It has a 0.84 g/cm3 density, 224 C flash point, -48 C pour point, 170 viscosity index, and it is highly recommended for Ford WSS-M2C929-A, WSS-M2C946-A, Honda/Acura HTO-06, Chrysler MS-6395, GM 6094M, 4718M, Dexos1, ACEA A1/B1-10, A5/B5-10, APO SN-RC and all previous categories, A1/B1-12, A5/B5-12, and ILSAC GF-5.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Helps keeping engines cleaner with better wear protection | |
| Provides superior cleansing under the most severe driving style or conditions | |
| The engine responsiveness is being maximized | |
| Made from natural gas |
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-20
If you want your car to operates properly, then you need to make sure you use a good synthetic oil. With so many products of this type available on the market today, you will probably find quite hard choosing one. Therefore, we strongly recommend the Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-20. This incredibly good synthetic oil will take care of your engine, and it will allow it to function at its maximum capacity. The synthetic motor oil provides an outstanding high-temperature protection under the most severe driving conditions and an excellent cold-temperature protection through faster oil flow at start-up. Furthermore, this formula also helps maintain the fuel efficiency. The Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-20 meets the performance requirements of all naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and supercharged passenger vehicles running in North America.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Full synthetic motor oil | |
| Reasonably priced | |
| Excellent engine cleanliness | |
| Excellent cold-temperature protection through faster oil flow at start-up |
Quaker State (550036718-6PK) 5W-50
The motor of your car is considered the heart of the vehicle. Therefore, it needs to be protected very well, in order to work at its maximum power. How can you do this? It is very simple, you need to use a high-quality oil of this type, and the Quaker State 5W-50 is one of the best choices you could make. This synthetic oil and the other ones presented in this article will definitely do an amazing job. This formula is a great solution for protecting your car against friction-related wear, especially as temperatures increase. It actually keep the engine of your car cleaner with better wear protection. The Quaker State exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer requirements not only for cleanliness but for protection as well. Plus, it is also an excellent way to improve the resistance to engine stress at high RPM and under heavy loads. It provides a high resistance to thermal and viscosity breakdown and a good lubrication at low and high temperatures.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Keeps engines cleaner with better wear protection | |
| Provides protection against friction-related wear | |
| Provides an improved resistance to engine stress at high RPM and under heavy loads |
Shell Rotella 550045347 T6
Last but not least, the Shell Rotella 550045347 T6 is without a doubt a great synthetic motor oil that will definitely help you improve fuel economy in those vehicles where 5W-40 or CK-4 motor oil is required. This advanced low-ash formulation helps control blocking of exhaust after treatment devices. This synthetic oil in combination with advanced multi-functional dispersant additives protects the motor against soot, dirt and other contaminants. The Rotella 550045347 T6 oil offers a great low-temperature flow (even at -30 degrees Fahrenheit). Most drivers use this synthetic oil because it maintains optimal oil pressure in the engine and it resists viscosity loss through sheer, as well. Whether is a new or an old vehicle, this oil is suitable for all types of engines, from heavy duty diesel pickups to class 8 tractor or trailer and even for school bus fleets.
PROS |
CONS |
|---|---|
| Engine protection from high temperatures | Not suitable for gear motors |
| Energy-saver | |
| It is compatible with several motorcycle models | |
| Able to clean the engine |
Things You Should Know About These Oils
In short terms, synthetic motor oil is a lubricant that uses artificially made chemicals compounds. It can be made from chemically modified ingredients or can be synthesized from other materials. Moreover, it’s quite important to know that it is not manufactured using crude oil and it is relatively pure compared to conventional oils. In fact, this type of oil is used to substitute refined petroleum oil when the motor is operating in extreme weather conditions. However, this doesn’t mean that a synthetic oil cannot be used when the engine is operating in normal temperatures. More than that, when purchasing an oil for your car, you should take into account the fact that a regular oil will provide you with 3.000 miles of drive time before you change it. On the other hand, with this type of oil, you are looking to bump up that 7.000-10.000 miles before replacing it with a new one. These types of lubricants will provide a lot of benefits that will keep your motor running at peak performance. However, to better understand their benefits, you must know that there are three types of lubricants available in the current market, such as:
- conventional minerals oils which are the traditional ones
- semi-synthetic which is formed from a blend of conventional and synthetic types
- full synthetic oils which are the latest and the most popular lubricants nowadays
Generally speaking, synthetic lubricants are made from advanced refining process and they are more quality and purer than conventional oils. The refining process removes impurities from crude oil and enables molecules in the oil in order to be customized to the demands of modern car engines.
Choosing Between Synthetic and Conventional Oils
When it comes to picking the right type of oil for your car, there are some aspects you must pay attention to. You can choose either a conventional type that is the most common one, or an innovative synthetic oil that is becoming more and more popular. It’s important to follow the owner’s instructions and read the label very well, but knowing a thing or two about every type will also help you decide.
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Conventional oil
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Semi-synthetic oil
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Full synthetic oil
This is the traditional oil available in several viscosity levels, usually a 5W-20 or 5W-30 for lower ambient temperatures, and 10W-30 for higher temperatures. If you pick this one, keep in mind that you need to change it regularly, as well as the filter, to ensure the maximum performance of your car. The proper changing interval is 4 months or 4000 miles but you could go for 6 months with the same oil without causing any damage to the engine.
For higher temperatures and heavier loads, the blend of synthetic and organic oil is the most appropriate. The fact this oil lasts to higher temperatures means it evaporates harder so the fuel economy will be increased. Generally, this type is chosen for large vehicles like pickup trucks or SUVs that require more engine protection. The price is a little higher than conventional oils but it’s still an affordable choice.
The last type is the most high-end, designed for the latest engines designed by top brands like Mercedes. It’s of a superior quality, with a long lasting performance and an increased engine protection. Choose this oil for low and high temperatures as well because it manages to remain at the proper viscosity regardless the degrees. Although this type is the highest quality, it’s not designed for any type of engine and it’s also very expensive, sometimes being a useless investment.
