Synthetic or mineral
The differences, semi-synthetic oils, mixing them, and why synthetic oil exists at all.
- Can synthetic and mineral oils be mixed? Mixing synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oil is only a last resort: three caveats on base stock compatibility, topping up and earlier changes.
- What is semi-synthetic oil? Semi-synthetic oil has a 30–50% synthetic base: how it beats mineral oil, where it falls short of synthetic and why it is recommended for high-mileage engines.
- Which is better: synthetic or mineral? Three practical advantages of synthetic over mineral oil and when you can do without it: winters no colder than minus 15–20 °C and high-mileage engines.
- Why do we need synthetics? How a synthetic base beats a mineral one in engine oil: more stable properties as temperature and operating mode change, and its first use in aviation.
- Synthetic or mineral? Synthetic oil has more stable properties than, say, hydrocracked or semi-synthetic oil.
- What's the difference between synthetic and mineral oil? How synthetic oil differs from mineral in price and stability, why switching to synthetic may wash out old deposits and when it is not advisable to use it.
