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What Is Semi-Synthetic Oil?

  For more than three decades, United Tire & Service has continued to help drivers in Philadelphia take good care of their vehicles and protect their investment. With 13 independent locations, including Ambler, Bethlehem, Concordville, Downingtown, Emmaus, Feasterville, Ardmore, Paoli, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Southampton, West Chester, and Willow Grove, our intent is to provide you with complete confidence when making important decisions about servicing your vehicle.   Generally speaking, most car owners aren’t sure which type of oil should be used in their vehicles. Should you use conventional oil, synthetic oil or semi-synthetic oilWhat Is Semi-Synthetic Oil? during your next oil change? Well, that really depends on the vehicle manufacturer and their specific instructions, but semi-synthetic oil is a reasonable choice for most makes and models. While conventional oil has basic benefits and synthetic oil is considered to be an elite choice for protecting your engine, semi-synthetic oil can provide all the essential benefits that your engine needs.   

Understanding the Semi-Synthetic Oil Manufacturing Process  

So, what is semi-synthetic oil? In order to effectively understand the full benefits of using semi-synthetic oil, it’s important to understand how it's manufactured. Semi-synthetic oil is produced from top-level mineral-based oil stocks in conjunction with unique additive performance packages. The distinctive process is used to formulate a more economic-type of premium oil for lubricating essential internal engine parts. In 1966, the first mass production was completed by a company in France. The pioneering efforts were innovative, which resulted in major relations with auto manufacturers throughout the world and now dominates the aftermarket industry for consumers.   

Beneficial and Powerful Ingredients 

Semi-synthetic oil has some of the same benefits as fully synthetic oil but without the high cost. It’s much cheaper than synthetic oil and the blend of additives provides a substantially higher benefit than conventional oil. Often referred to as “semi-refined,” semi-synthetic oil is less refined; however, it is extremely effective for providing the essential engine lubrication. Additionally, the oil is much better than conventional oil for reducing residue and adds to the lifespan of an engine. While it isn’t designed to resist viscosity breakdown the same way that fully synthetic oil does, there are significant similarities in the way semi-synthetic oil can withstand high temperatures, which aids in overall engine performance.   Additional benefits of semi-synthetic oil include:   
  • Reduction in emissions and impurities 
  • Improved fuel economy 
  • Less wear and tear from engine friction 
  • Longer intervals between regular oil changes
  • Quicker start-time for an engine 
  • Very effective for reducing internal engine sludge and deposits
If you're already using semi-synthetic oil, it's important to point out that there are very few advantages to changing to fully synthetic oil. Because the benefits are identical, the only major advantage is having a slightly longer duration between oil changes, which simply isn't worth the extra out-of-pocket expense for the higher cost of the oil. United Tire & Service technicians can recommend how often semi-synthetic oil should be changed for your specific vehicle in order to get the most out of your hard-earned money.   To learn more information about this topic, contact United Tire & Service to speak with any of our friendly staff. If you're ready to make an oil change appointment, simply use our online service scheduler! And don't forget to sign up for our Loyalty Rewards program to earn great perks and savings!   Related Posts: Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil Can I Switch to a Different Oil Type? When Do I Need Oil Change Service? Dangers of Driving With Low Oil Level How Long Can I Go Without an Oil Change? How Often Should I Change My Oil?