Semi Synthetic Engine Oil Vs Fully Synthetic

Semi synthetic vs fully synthetic engine oil – Want to know the difference? There is a reason why fully synthetic oils tend to be more expensive than semi synthetic engine oils.

At the same time semi synthetic engine oil has its uses!

We’ll let you know what the difference is between them. And cover what you need to know when selecting the right engine oil for your car!

Types Of Engine Oil

Before you can start choosing engine oil, you should know that there are different engine oils available in the market:

Because of how they are made, they vary in viscosity grade. Basically, a more refined oil will be gentler on your car engine (i.e. less friction)!

Mineral Oil

Otherwise known as conventional engine oil or standard motor oil, mineral oil is just a refined form of the raw material, crude oil that is usually extracted from the ground.

While it is the cheapest engine oil you can get, they are not as pure as engineered engine oils. Pure meaning free from contaminants.

If you have a simple engine under the hood of your car and a driving style to match, you may be able to get away with using mineral oil for your car.

As mineral oil still offers some protection against engine wear and tear!

Fully Synthetic Oil

Okay, so what is fully synthetic oil?

Fully synthetic oil is exactly as the name implies. Created through chemical engineering, this type of engine oil has fewer impurities than mineral oil.

On a molecular level it is “smoother” too. Since the molecules have uniform shape and alignment. This makes the temperature endurance of fully synthetic oil superior to mineral oil (and semi-synthetic oil).

Moreover, there can be additives to further improve the performance abilities of the synthetic oil too. Fully synthetic engine oil can last a lot longer (in terms of time and distance) as well.

The catch is that they cost a little more than mineral oil or semi-synthetic oil!

Semi-Synthetic Oil

What is semi-synthetic oil?

As you can guess from the name, semi-synthetic oil is a synthetic blend of conventional and synthetic engine oil.

It provides a compromise between the more efficient fully synthetic oils and cheaper mineral oils!

High-Mileage Oil

One other engine oil type you may hear of is high-mileage oil.

If you didn’t know, the mileage of your car can be read off the odometer in the dashboard. And for cars that have exceeded 120,000km:

It’s advisable to use a high-mileage oil. These engine oils are specifically designed for protecting engine seals.

Thus, preventing oil burn-off (i.e. oil evaporation) and leaks which is common among older cars with engine wear.

Semi Synthetic Engine Oil Vs Fully Synthetic

Now on to the question:

Semi synthetic engine oil vs fully synthetic?

There’s no harm in using semi-synthetic engine oil for your car. But if you really want the highest possible protection against engine wear, then fully synthetic oil is the way to go!

Even engines that require semi-synthetic oil will benefit from using fully synthetic oil!

And you will see improved engine performance (e.g., quieter, smooth acceleration, improved fuel consumption) with the latter!

Lastly, fully synthetic oil has a longer change interval than semi synthetic engine oil! 10,000km in contrast to 5,000-7,000km!

So even if the initial cost is more expensive, using a fully synthetic oil is cheaper in the long run!

Note: Do not mix semi-synthetic and fully synthetic oil in your engine. You’ll only be reducing the advantages of the fully synthetic oil that way!

Which Type Of Engine Oil To Use

We recommend fully synthetic oil! It suits most cars (regardless of make, model and age) and will offer the maximum level of protection for your car engine!

Shenzo racing oil is one of the best engine oil in Malaysia too. You can check out our range of engine oils and consult us for more advice on which is suitable for your car!