Can you go from regular oil to synthetic

Oil Change

Can You Mix Synthetic Oil with Regular Oil

  • Mar 2,2020

Can you go from regular oil to synthetic
Can you go from regular oil to synthetic

Monitoring your motor oil is a fundamental part of car ownership and maintenance. Motor oil keeps your engine lubricated and running smoothly. But with all the different types of oil out there, you may be wondering if you can mix synthetic oil with regular oil (or vice versa).

Keep reading to find out what happens when you add synthetic oil to regular or "conventional" oil, the possible consequences of mixing engine oil types, and why getting professional help when switching from one motor oil type to another might be the smartest move.

Can You Mix Synthetic Oil with Regular Oil?

The short answer is…yes.

If you don't have a choice, adding synthetic oil to regular oil can help you out in a pinch. However, this should only be a stop-gap until you get to your nearest oil change provider. If you want to strike a balance between the affordability of conventional oil and the benefits of synthetic oil, opt for a professionally-mixed synthetic blend.

Since motor oils are generally made from the same ingredients (base oil and additives), they are typically compatible when mixed. (The American Petroleum Industry actually requires that all motor oil made in the U.S. be compatible with one another.) The differences mostly come down to the oil refining process. Conventional oil, while cheaper than synthetic, is less refined and can lead to more engine sludge and gunk build-up down the road. Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive but contains fewer impurities and can, therefore, keep your engine cleaner and lubricated for longer. Pennzoil synthetic oil is actually even purer, as it is not made from crude oil. It is the first motor oil made from natural gas. Learn more about Pennzoil ingredients in this video.

Keep in mind that mixing synthetic and conventional oil dilutes the beneficial effects of higher quality synthetic oil. Not only does this devalue your synthetic oil investment, but it may also lead to you needing an oil change earlier than expected.

Also, consider that even though motor oils contain the same essential ingredients, they each have different additives, chemical properties, and detergents. Mixing different types can destabilize your motor oil, reducing its efficiency and affecting your engine's performance.

The smartest choice is to stick with the oil type and oil change intervals recommended by your car's manufacturer and visit your local car care experts for affordable services. Always consult your owner’s manual for the correct viscosity grade and performance recommendation required for your vehicle.

Should You Top-Off Your Car's Oil?

It's important to keep oil at safe and clean levels to avoid engine trouble. Many people do this by topping off their motor oil in-between oil changes. This is often how motor oil types get mixed.

While the occasional oil top-off is usually okay, getting an oil change is always the best way to keep your engine running smoothly. If you must top-off your oil, try to use the same type that's already in your vehicle to avoid losing any of its benefits.

As always, double-check your manufacturer-recommended service schedule or visit a Tires Plus location to get all of the service and oil type recommendations with none of the pressure.

Switching Engine Oil Types

Are you thinking about changing to a different type of motor oil? Switching is easy! Visit your nearest Tires Plus location and ask for an oil change with the Pennzoil oil of your choice. If you're not sure what kind of oil might be best for your car, our certified technicians are ready to answer all your questions.

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Why is It Important to Use a Motor Oil made from Natural Gas?

All engines generate contaminants such as soot, carbon, and sulfuric and nitric acid. These contaminants are inevitable byproducts of the combustion process, and all of them end up in your motor oil, to varying degrees. So, the question isn’t whether you need an oil that cleans, but how well your motor oil cleans the dirt and deposits your engine generates.

To put it simply, a cleaner engine is better protected, has a higher quality performance, and works more efficiently than a dirty one.

This is why it’s important to use a motor oil like Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, that helps keep engines cleaner than any leading synthetic motor oil.

Want to learn more about motor oil? Check our education section. 

What makes synthetic oil better? The Proof is in the Pennzoil.

Many people wonder about the benefits that come from using synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, especially since they notice the price tag is slightly higher than conventional motor oil. It all comes down to science and innovation.

Base oil makes up nearly 80% of a motor oil formulation and additives make up the remaining nearly 20%. The chemically engineered molecules in synthetic base oil have more uniform properties while the molecules found in conventional base oil differ in shape and levels of impurity. This shift to a cleaner, higher quality product is becoming the norm in the automotive world with 70% of new cars using synthetic motor oil to help maintain performance.

Pennzoil Synthetic motor oil, takes things to the next level of performance because they use base oil made from natural gas, which is purer than base oil made from crude oil. With the help of this revolutionary gas-to-liquid technology, your vehicle can experience complete engine protection including cleaner pistons1, better fuel economy2, horsepower protection3, unsurpassed wear protection4, and extreme temperature performance.

1Based on ILSAC GF-5, Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30, and Ford, Chrysler and GM specifications. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro products.

2Based on pistons from standard V6 engine in ASTM Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro products.

3Fuel economy measurements made using CAFE cycle under FTP75. Avg of 550 extra miles based on mixed city/highway miles and US avg of 13,476 miles driven per year with 4.1% better MPG vs dirty engine. Source fhwa.dot.gov, 2011. Follow OEM recommended oil drain intervals.

4Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30.

In the natural gas drop depicted in the header image, the base oil is crystal clear. We add our unique high-performance additives which gives Pennzoil its distinctive amber color. 

In the natural gas drop depicted in the header image, the base oil is crystal clear. We add our unique high-performance additives which gives Pennzoil its distinctive amber color. 

Can you just switch to synthetic oil?

You don't need to take any special steps before you switch to synthetic motor oil from conventional oil. There is still some confusion about changing to a different type of oil in vehicles, particularly older models that have accumulated many miles.

When can I switch to synthetic oil from regular?

As long as your engine's seals are in decent shape, you can switch back and forth to your heart's content. You can mix and match, you can use blended synthetic and mineral oil or you can use mineral oil for 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) and synthetic oil for the next 5,000 miles (8,047 kilometers).

Is it worth switching to synthetic oil?

Synthetic oil provides more effective protection for your car, may even prolong the life of your engine and would cost the average driver just $65 more each year. So if you can afford the extra cost, you should choose synthetic oil — and if your car requires it, you must use it.