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

If you’re comparing synthetic oil vs. regular oil, you should know right off the bat that Mercedes-Benz vehicles always require synthetic motor oil. However, for those who want to dig a little deeper, synthetic oil is essentially a more effective, longer-lasting version of conventional oil products. While you’re here, learn more about the differences between these two service fluids and find out which synthetic oils are suitable for your Mercedes-Benz.

What is Conventional (Regular) Oil?

Conventional oil, colloquially known as regular oil, is a petroleum-based substance that is used to lubricate your engine’s moving parts and distribute heat away from the most vulnerable active components. It’s based on crude oil, but it goes through a process of refinement in order to make it suitable for vehicles in Providence and East Greenwich.

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil performs better under pressure, and what’s more, it also oxidizes more slowly than conventional oil products. As a result, it has the following properties:

• Synthetic oil is more effective at cleaning your engine than conventional oil.
• Synthetic oil is less viscous at lower temperatures, which means that it continues to perform as intended.
• Synthetic oil protects the more sensitive components in turbochargers and other features that are common in high-performance vehicles.

Although crude oil is also the basis of synthetic oil, the process of refinement is much more intense. As a result, synthetic oils tend to be more expensive than conventional oils; however, this is one circumstance where you absolutely get what you pay for.

Can You Mix Synthetic Oil with Regular Oil?

Can you mix synthetic oil with regular oil? Many drivers compare full synthetic oil vs. synthetic blends, but there’s a lot to consider. Although you technically can mix synthetic oil with regular oil, you should not do so if you drive a Mercedes-Benz. Other, lesser vehicles may be able to accommodate synthetic blends—and in general, these blends are superior to conventional oil, used alone—but high-end engineering deserves high-grade protection.

If you drive a Mercedes-Benz, you can always check with our parts team before you select a synthetic oil for your vehicle. You should never make a decision without referencing your owner’s manual, but it is worth noting that each of the following has been approved by Mercedes-Benz:

Sheet 229.1:

• Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula 15w-50
• Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Formula 0w-40
• Valvoline Synpower Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5w-40
• Castrol Syntec 5w-50
• Castrol Syntec 10W-40
• Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5w-40
• Pennzoil Synthetic European 5w-40
• 76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil 5w-40

Sheet 229.3:

• Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5w-30
• Shell Helix Ultra 5w-30
• Shell Helix Ultra 5w-40

When you schedule Mercedes-Benz oil service* with Mercedes-Benz of Warwick, we’ll carry out the work using the parts and fluids that have been specified by the manufacturer.

Schedule an Oil Change in Warwick Now!

Mercedes-Benz of Warwick can help with any and all of your oil service needs, and what’s more, we can do so quickly, on a time frame that works for you. Schedule service or visit our parts department today! Just make sure to explore our service specials before you drive in from Warwick or Cranston.