When it comes to synthetic oils, opinions may vary on their advantages over conventional oils. Don’t be surprised if some car enthusiasts will argue about the performance similarity of conventional and synthetic oils. Generally, synthetic oil provides many benefits when compared to conventional oil.
If you’re looking for synthetic oil options, we came up with a list to help you with your search. We picked the top 8 best synthetic oils available today.
#1 Royal Purple High-Performance Synthetic Oil
When you finish this list, you’ll learn that it’s filled with famous brands. Royal Purple may not be as big-time as the others on this list, but it has a great reputation among vehicle owners. The company has API-licensed oils that carry the current ISLAC and API engine oil licenses together with the GM dexos1 gasoline engine oil approval.
The Royal Purple High-Performance Synthetic Oil features improved additive technology that prevents metal-to-metal contact beyond GM dexos1 and ILSAC GF-5 specs. This oil offers better fuel economy and protection for exhaust emissions equipment. It also has a patented anti-wear additive chemistry that helps in minimizing the harmful effects that exhaust gases pose.
This synthetic oil is a great choice, especially if you are running fuel with ethanol. Its patented additive technology helps prevent lubrication starvation and white sludge. When you compare the price of this synthetic oil to other options on this list, the Royal Purple High-Performance Synthetic Oil is a bit more expensive. When it comes to ratings, this product is among the best ones out there.
#2 Best for Diesel Engines: Shell RotellaT6 Full Synthetic Diesel Oil
If you own a vehicle with a diesel engine, we highly recommend the Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Oil. It’s an ideal choice because it can help improve fuel economy even up to 2.8%. This product comes with additive technology formulated to protect against the effects of dirt, soot, and other forms of contaminants.
According to Shell, this synthetic oil is designed with shear stability for resisting viscosity loss while it helps keep optimal oil pressure. The Rotella T6 is ideal for diesel-powered vehicles. It’s suitable for vehicles in northern climates, such as heavy-duty pickup trucks and commercial trucks.
Overall, we were impressed by how the Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic Oil improves fuel economy. The only downside of this synthetic oil is that it’s only for diesel engines.
#3 Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Motor Oil
The Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Oil features an advanced full synthetic formula. This oil is designed to prevent sludge build-up and deposit. It works to promote longer engine life as it helps maintain stable oil viscosity. It offers excellent wear protection and overall lubrication. This is due to its precise balance of performance additives. This oil also showcases impressive oxidation and thermal stability. It also features great oil breakdown control.
The Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Oil has impressive low-temperature capabilities. It can help your car’s engine to start quicker even in the cold for extended engine life and faster protection.
Some users of this oil have claimed that their engines became noisier. Overall, we still recommend this synthetic oil for what it can offer in terms of capabilities, its trusted brand, and its efficiency in low temperatures.
#4 Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil
Are you looking for synthetic oil that offers high mileage protection? The Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil is a great option for engines with more than 75,000 miles. It features impressive wear protection and overall lubrication. This product is even designed to perform better than conventional high-mileage oils from Mobil 1. This synthetic oil can offer protection to critical engine parts of vehicles with higher mileage while it reduces deposits and sludge that conventional usually leave behind. Its engineered formula helps in preventing leaks that usually happen with older engines.
According to Mobil 1, this oil utilizes a proprietary blend of synthetic base oils that help provide proven protection of up to 500,000 miles. This product also offers a seal conditioner that protects engine seals. This is important because rubber seals usually shrink or harden over time, and this causes leaks.
The negative things we noticed about this product are its limited viscosity options and fluctuating price.
#5 Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil
The Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil features the PurePlus gas-to-liquid technology, which is a patented process of converting pure natural gas into a high-quality full synthetic base oil. According to Pennzoil, their base oil is 99.5% pure, and that means fewer impurities compared to base oils that come from crude oil. When it comes to fuel economy, you cold up to 550 miles extra per year if you combine this oil with a high-performance additive system.
The Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil is ideal for modern turbocharged engines as it provides protection against low-speed pre-ignition effects. Pennzoil claims that this synthetic oil actually flows faster in cold, extreme temperatures. This means that engine parts get lubricated quickly during a cold start.
If you need synthetic oil from a reputable brand that features patented technology to produce the best results, try considering the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil.
#6 Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Oil
Are you in search of synthetic oil that can effectively reduce engine wear? The Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Oil is an ideal option. According to Castrol, this product can leave engine parts up to 4x smoother. This synthetic oil is unique because it is formulated with intelligent molecules that stick to the engine under all driving conditions, even when the vehicle is turned off. Usually, the oil drains back to the sump when an engine stops. With the Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Oil, it’s different. When the engine stops, the intelligent molecules won’t drain down and instead cling to the engine parts just like a magnet. This offers better protection as 75% of engine wear usually happens during the warm-up process.
The Castrol GTX Magnatec Full Synthetic Oil provides a layer of protection for both driving and warm-up. The limited viscosity options of this product may be a turn-off for some vehicle owners.
#7 Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil
Valvoline is another well-known brand that has a lineup of synthetic oils. The Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil features engine cleanliness via varnish and sludge protection. It provides high-temperature protection even under severe driving conditions. It also offers cold-temperature protection via quicker oil flow on engine startup.
The Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil is designed to handle the main reasons for engine stress – deposits, wear, and heat. Some users find the jug of this product quite awkward to pour.
#8 Liqui Moly Premium Synthetic Motor Oil
The Liqui Moly Synthoil Premium has been a favorite for European car owners. It features high-level protection against engine wear. Its aim is to provide a long engine service life via rapidly delivering oil even at low temperatures. This synthetic oil offers high lubrication reliability at low and high temperatures resulting in impressive engine cleanliness.
The Liqui Moly Synthoil Premium works on both diesel and gasoline engines. We’ve noticed that this oil is more geared towards European cars since the brand is also from Germany. It also has limited viscosity grades. You need to be careful while pouring because it is easy to spill. The cap is also quite tricky to open.