Is Synthetic Oil the Same as Full Synthetic Oil?
2 Answers
Synthetic oil is not the same as full synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is divided into semi-synthetic oil and full synthetic oil. Strictly speaking, full synthetic oil refers to high-quality oil products made 100% from polyolefins or artificially synthesized esters, usually labeled with the word "synthetic" on the oil container. Semi-synthetic oil is made from semi-synthetic base oil, which is lubricant formulated from Group III base oils internationally. It is a product purified from mineral oil through hydrocracking technology. Compared to semi-synthetic oil, full synthetic oil has the following characteristics: 1. Better high and low-temperature performance; 2. Longer oil change intervals; 3. Suitable for more severe driving conditions.
After researching extensively, I found that synthetic oil is not entirely equivalent to full synthetic. There are actually three types of synthetic oils on the market: mineral oil with additives is called semi-synthetic, those made with Group III base oils are considered conventional synthetic oils, and only those using Group IV PAO or Group V ester base oils are true full synthetics. Full synthetic oils have more stable molecular structures, better low-temperature fluidity, stronger high-temperature resistance to degradation, and can extend oil change intervals to over 10,000 kilometers. However, some manufacturers play word games by labeling Group III base oils as 'synthetic,' when their performance is significantly inferior. When choosing engine oil, you should look for the API certification grade on the container – for example, SP-grade is certainly more reliable than SN-grade. Full synthetics are expensive for good reason, especially for turbocharged vehicles which perform best with this type of oil.
