Yes—but the key is to separate two labels. Synthetic or conventional describes the oil’s formulation; the SAE grade describes how it flows at specified temperatures. Use the viscosity grade and performance specification required for your vehicle, regardless of oil type. If your manual permits either formulation, driving conditions and cost can guide the choice.
Viscosity grade and oil type answer different questions
SAE viscosity grade is a measure of an oil’s ability to flow at certain temperatures. It is not another name for synthetic or conventional oil, and vehicle requirements vary. A synthetic oil is not automatically the right choice if it has the wrong grade or fails to meet the required performance specification.
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Start with the vehicle’s owner’s manual or official service information. Find the required SAE viscosity grade and the applicable oil performance specification, such as the API service category. Choose an oil label that meets both. API’s Motor Oil Guide explains viscosity grades, certification marks, and how to identify oils licensed through its program.
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- Look up the required viscosity grade and performance specification for your exact vehicle and engine.
- Check the oil container for both requirements; do not select by the words “synthetic” or “conventional” alone. API’s oil-category guidance explains its service categories. For gasoline engines, newer API categories generally include the performance properties of earlier categories; diesel categories are not always backward compatible.
- If the manufacturer allows both formulations, consider your operating conditions and budget. Synthetic may be worth considering for frequent stop-and-go driving, towing, aggressive driving, or extreme climates, according to AAA’s consumer guidance.
- Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s oil-change schedule. Using synthetic alone does not establish that you can extend the interval.
What the evidence says about performance
In a 2017 comparison, AAA reported that the synthetic oils it tested performed an average of 47 percent better than the conventional oils across a variety of industry-standard tests. The comparison used eight selected ASTM tests, including measures related to shear stability, deposits, volatility, cold-temperature pumpability, oxidation resistance, and oxidation-related changes in rheology. The oils were API licensed and advertised to meet ILSAC GF-5 at the time. This is a result from that study—not a universal guarantee, a prediction for every engine, or a head-to-head result for today’s products. See AAA’s 2017 report and its announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Formulated for engines with 75,000 miles or more, Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage synthetic blend is formulated with seal conditioners to help prevent oil leaks and reduce oil consumption
- Delivers 20% better wear protection and 15% better sludge defense than industry standards to help prevent engine breakdown
- Extra detergents safeguard against friction, corrosion and deposits to keep high-mileage engines clean
- Advanced friction-fighting additives help maximize performance and improve fuel efficiency
- Provides performance benefits for high mileage, new and re-built engines alike
Can you switch from conventional to synthetic?
Use the vehicle’s required grade and performance specification whichever formulation you choose. If both are permitted for your vehicle, the guidance supports considering synthetic in demanding operating conditions; it does not make a blanket recommendation for every car. For a specific vehicle, verify the requirements in the manual or manufacturer service information before switching.
Does synthetic oil let you wait longer between changes?
Not by itself. AAA recommends following the vehicle manufacturer’s oil-change interval regardless of oil type. Use the schedule that applies to your vehicle and operating conditions rather than assuming synthetic permits a longer interval.
Rank #2
- High Mileage for engines 75,000+ miles
- Helps extend engine life of higher mileage vehicles
- Protects for 15,000 miles – guaranteed*
- Contains additives to help fight sludge
- Keeps your engine running like new
When no universal viscosity recommendation is possible
There is no single grade to recommend without the vehicle’s make, model, year, engine, and market. Do not choose a different grade based only on climate or preference: check the manufacturer’s requirements first. For product selection, compare only oils that satisfy the specified grade and performance category; then weigh formulation, expected driving conditions, and purchase and service costs.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Phosphorus Replacement Technology helps extend emission system life
- Superior dispersancy that fights sludge build up
- Exceptional oil burn-off protection exceeding industry standards* | Seal conditioners to help reduce leaks
- Advanced additives that help prevent engine wear | Improved Fuel Economy**
- Meets or exceeds the following specifications: API SP/SN PLUS/SN/SM | ILSAC GF-6 | Meets Ford WSS-M2C946-B1 | Meets Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 | * Based on API and ACEA volatility specifications | ** In 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 grades versus industry specifications
Rank #4
- Advanced protection against the four main causes of engine breakdown: wear friction heat and deposits
- Delivers 40% stronger wear protection than industry standards to reduce friction and improve fuel economy
- Provides 15% better deposit defense vs. industry standards, keeping engines cleaner for smoother performance and longer-lasting protection
- Up to 2.5X better heat protection vs. industry standards to fight harmful sludge formation and thermal breakdown
- Engineered for excellent low-temperature flow, reducing metal-to-metal contact during cold starts — when most engine wear typically occurs
Rank #3
- Helps extend engine life, even in severe conditions
- Protects for 15,000 miles – guaranteed*
- Contains additives to help fight sludge
- Keeps your engine running like new
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