Article originally published on Noria.com
Synthetic oils have many benefits. Reduced friction/heat, engine wear, lubricant breakdowns and lubricant change intervals can all lead to lower costs for repairs and even better gas mileage in some cases.
The real question is when to choose an expensive synthetic oil over a lower priced mineral oil. The truth is that it depends on the way the engine is used and how many miles it has.
Synthetic oils may not be ideal for a vehicle that has very high mileage (engine hours) and has only used mineral base oils during its lifespan. If you were to change the oil to a synthetic in this type of vehicle, it could lead to a number of problems.
On the other hand, synthetic oils are a wise choice for vehicles and engines that experience frequent stops and starts, operate in extreme heat and cold, or have extended lengths of service between oil changes.
(read the entire article, "When to Choose a Synthetic Lubricant"...)
