Engine oil directly affects the performance, lifespan, and fuel economy of the engine. There are three main types of engine oils on the market: mineral oil, semi synthetic oil, and fully synthetic oil. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and are suitable for different vehicles and usage scenarios. This article will provide a detailed comparison of these three types of engine oils to help you choose the most suitable lubricant for your car.

1. Conventional Oil

characteristic

Source: Directly extracted from crude oil and subjected to basic refining treatment.

Cost: Cheapest, suitable for car owners with limited budgets.

Performance: Weak antioxidant and high temperature resistance, short service life.

Applicable temperature: Suitable for mild climates, with significant performance degradation under extreme high or low temperatures.

Suitable car models

✅  Old car models (over 10 years old, with large engine clearances)

✅  Low mileage, smooth driving (such as city commuting)

✅  Economy vehicles (such as entry-level sedans)

disadvantage

❌  Short replacement cycle (approximately 5000 kilometers/6 months)

❌  Poor high-temperature protection and easy formation of sludge

❌  Not suitable for high-performance or turbocharged engines

2. Semi synthetic blend oil

characteristic

Source: A mixture of mineral oil and synthetic oil (approximately 30% -40% synthetic components).

Cost: Medium price, high cost-effectiveness.

Performance: More resistant to high temperatures and oxidation than mineral oil, with better fluidity.

Applicable temperature: Suitable for most climatic conditions, more stable than mineral oil.

Suitable car models

✅  Ordinary household car (naturally aspirated engine)

✅  Medium mileage vehicles (50000 to 100000 kilometers)

✅  Occasionally driving aggressively (such as at high speeds)

disadvantage

❌  Still not as durable as fully synthetic oil (replacement cycle 7500-10000 kilometers)

❌  Under extreme conditions (such as extreme cold or track driving), the performance is average

3. Full Synthetic Oil

characteristic

Source: Chemical synthesis, with a more uniform molecular structure and more stable performance.

Cost: The most expensive, but long-term use can save fuel and maintenance costs.

Performance:

Best high/low temperature protection (such as 0W-20, 5W-30 and other low viscosity engine oils)

Strong antioxidant capacity, reducing oil sludge and carbon deposition

Longer replacement cycle (10000-15000 kilometers or 1 year)

Suitable car models

✅  Turbocharged/high-performance engines (such as German cars and sports models)

✅  New car or high-precision engine (such as Japanese and European high-end cars)

✅  Extreme climate (regions with extreme cold or high temperatures)

✅  Frequent short distance/start stop driving (reducing engine wear)

disadvantage

❌  Higher price (50% -100% more expensive than mineral oil)

❌  Old cars may not be suitable (leakage may occur due to differences in sealing)

How to choose the most suitable engine oil?

(1) Refer to the vehicle manual

Prioritize following the recommendations of car manufacturers (such as Toyota recommending 0W-20 and Volkswagen recommending 5W-40).

(2) Observe the driving environment

Usage scenario

Recommended oil type

Semi synthetic or fully synthetic urban short distance commuting

Full synthesis for high-speed/long-distance driving (better high-temperature protection)

Fully synthetic 0W or 5W series in extremely cold regions

Old car mineral oil or high mileage semi synthetic

(3) Check the budget

Economy type: Mineral oil (but replaced more frequently)

Balanced type: semi synthetic oil (with the highest cost-effectiveness)

Best protection: Fully synthetic oil (more cost-effective in the long run)

5. Conclusion: Which one should be chosen?

Oil type

advantage

disadvantage

Recommended usage scenarios

Mineral oil is cheap and has poor performance. It is frequently replaced by old cars and low budget car owners

Semi synthetic oil has a high cost performance ratio, but its performance is moderate and not as durable as fully synthetic ordinary household cars and medium budget vehicles

Fully synthetic oil provides the best protection, long-lasting performance, and fuel efficiency. New cars, turbocharged vehicles, and high-performance vehicles have high fuel prices

final recommendation

Limited budget+old cars → mineral oil

Ordinary household car → Semi synthetic oil

New car/turbocharged/extreme weather → fully synthetic oil

Choosing the right engine oil can not only prolong engine life, but also improve fuel economy and driving experience. Regularly changing the engine oil (based on the recommendations in the vehicle manual) is the key!