Should I Be Using Synthetic Oil? | Madison Auto Care

You were headed home from the murder mystery theater in Sun Prairie when your oil light came on. At first, you were surprised then you realized you can’t remember the last time you changed your oil. It’s definitely time for an oil change.

Now that that is decided, you’re wondering what kind of oil to use. You’ve been seeing a lot of references to synthetic oil and you’re wondering what that’s all about.

Caranddriver.com explains: “Synthetic oil was developed in 1929 and has been used in everything from daily-driver and high-performance vehicles to jets. During World War II, when Allied Forces restricted oil access to Nazi Germany, the latter relied on synthetic oil to fuel the German military. In the 1970s, the American Energy Crisis drove efforts to create better artificial oils as a way of improving fuel economy.

“Today, certain engines, such as aircraft jet engines, require synthetic oils. Although synthetic oil was once largely found in high-performance vehicles, it’s being used in more mainstream engines so that automotive manufacturers can achieve improved fuel efficiency.”

Is it more expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Well, it does have advantages that include better engine protection and lasting longer (about six months to a year) between oil changes. Whether the advantages outweigh the cost is up to you. If you’re not sure, it’s time to have a talk with the Madison oil change technicians at Madison Auto Care's seven NAPA service centers - Clausen Auto, Handel Auto, Genin’s Auto, Capitol Tire, Odana Tire, Hansen’s Auto, or Aeschbach Auto.

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