11 Best Synthetic Oils in 2022 – Top Choices for  Engine Performance and Longevity

When it comes to picking the best motor oil for your engine, there are two options available – synthetic oil and conventional oil. First, you should know that a traditional lubricant is simply a crude oil (unrefined petroleum) or a by-product of crude oil. In contrast, synthetic oil is a chemically modified petroleum product. Today the highest-performing and longest-lasting engine oils are synthetic.

But it can be a challenging task to determine which synthetic oil is really the best. Choosing the best synthetic oil for your car or diesel pickup means reading reviews, studying product features, and diving into the pros and cons of available configurations and blends. That’s where we come in with our ultimate synthetic oil buying guide. Our reviews are based on in-depth market research, customer reviews online, and car mechanic experience. That way, we can offer unique and accurate information not just for the best synthetic oil picks for 2022 but technical details as well. The lines below explain oil viscosity grade, oil additives, synthetic oil types, benefits compared to regular engine oil, best synthetic oil brands, best oil filters, API terms, price range, how to check oil level and when to change oil.

The goal is simple – keep your vehicle performance at the highest level, protect the engine and extend motor lifespan.

What is the Best Synthetic Oil? Top Picks in 2022

• A powerful blend of additives gives long-lasting wear protection;
• Highly efficient at dissolving and preventing sludge buildup;
• Cuts down wear of engine parts by reducing friction;
• Keeps motor protected against seizing in cold weather;
• Makes clean combustion, reducing fuel loss and engine emission.

• It might be suitable only for smaller vehicles.

• Formulated for high mileage engines;
• Protects critical engine parts;
• Reduces deposits and sludge conventional oils can leave behind;
• Prevents leaks.

• Limited viscosity choices.

• Provides better wear protection;
• Improved fuel efficiency;
• Protects catalytic emission system;
• Increases compatibility with ethanol, corrosion protection;
• Meets dexos1 and ILSAC GF-5 requirements.

Limited viscosity options.

• Engineered to offer strength under pressure;
• Minimizes metal-to-metal contact;
• Reduces engine deposit formation;
• Meets different standards (API SN, ILSAF GF-5, GM dexos1).

• Sometimes the oil turns black faster than some competitors.

• Improves fuel economy;
• Formulated with addictive technology to protect against various contaminants;
• Engineered with shear stability;
• Overwhelming positive reviews.

• Only certified for diesel engines.

• Improved mileage;
• Increases fuel efficiency;
• Great anti wears additives;
• Cleans the motor.

• Oil canister isn’t ergonomic and difficult to use.

• Fully synthetic oil;
• Improves fuel economy;
• Helps protect engines from horsepower loss;
• Excellent performance in extreme temperatures;
• Provides wear protection from friction and oxidation stability.

• May not be compatible with all vehicles.

• Prevents deposits and sludge buildup;
• Overall lubrication and wear protection performance;
• Exceptional control of oil breakdown;
• Superb low temperature capabilities.

• Some users claim this oil made their engines noisier.

• A mix of mineral and synthetic oils for the best features;
• Comes with seal conditioners to rejuvenate aging engines;
• Included detergents keep the engine running cleaner;
• Prevents oil breakdown.

• It’s not much use for low-mileage vehicles.

• Compatible with other types of oil
• Provides excellent engine protection
• Keeps engine clean
• Significantly increases fuel efficiency.

• It is a bit pricey.

• Designed for longer drain intervals
• Reduces engine friction
• Low viscosity levels
• Cost-effective.

• It could be better if it came in a quart container.

Synthetic Oil Buying Guide

A wide range of synthetic motor oils is available and finding the right one is vital to maintaining your engine. Usually, drivers rely on the vehicle user manual. But there are many things to consider, so continue reading this guide, and we will help you decide what product is perfect for your car. Main features can fall into these categories: type, viscosity, additives, price and your budget.

Who Makes the Best Synthetic Motor Oil?

There are numerous engine oil brands on the market, and all of them offer quality products for different purposes and motor types. The top brands used today are ExxonMobil, Valvoline, Castrol, Royal Purple, Pennzoil, and so on. Also, several car manufacturers also produce engine oils designed to work best with their vehicles. Along with these, there are Elf, Total, Wurth, Shell, Agip, Amsoil, Motul, Lucas, and Repsol. Some of them are European brands, but they have dealerships in the US and most of them are recommended by leading automakers from Europe, Japan, and the United States.

Key Features

Viscosity grade

It’s the most important factor in choosing the proper synthetic motor oil for your needs. If you drive your vehicle in a hotter climate or ring your motor out often, a viscosity of 10W-40 is ideal. For commuting in most cold or warm climates, a 5W-30 synthetic oil is a right choice. Finally, if you ride in an environment that could be described as arctic, a 5W-20 or even 0W-20 synthetic oil is recommended;

Application

The labels on all kinds of synthetic oil list the specific application that the lubricant is designed for. Typical synthetic oil applications include extended performance, higher mileage, diesel engines, and motorcycles. Always double-check your vehicle’s condition before you best the best car oil for your vehicle;

Combability with Existing Oil

Before you add this oil to your ride, it’s essential to note if the product is compatible with other sorts of oil. If it isn’t, you must drain the existing oil before filling it up with the synthetic one. It’s also pivotal to consult your owner’s manual to verify which type of oil your car requires;

Additives

Each brand adds its own proprietary blend of additives to improve certain properties. For example, viscosity-index improvers work surprisingly well in ensuring that lubricant doesn’t get too thin at higher temperatures. Also, additives like detergents are efficient cleaning agents formulated to remove deposits and sludge from your motor. Find out which additives would provide the benefits you need the most before buying synthetic engine oil. The most important additives are anti-wear additives, detergents that keep the engine clean and corrosion (rust) free, dispersants and antioxidants that help the oil to flow in the oilway, friction modifiers, oil viscosity ingredients for improving oil performance and reduce oil’s thinning.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

• Extends engine life – Synthetic motor oil is engineered to have a high degree of natural solvency so it can clean and remove deposits. This keeps your engine soot- and deposit-free so it can run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, as well as prolong the lifespan of motor seals and other parts;
• Maximizes engine performance – There’s a reason why high-performance vehicles and race cars all run synthetic oil — superior motor performance. Users often report that they perceive more power/torque from the motor when they utilize synthetic oil. Plus, it’s slicker than conventional oil, so it’ll definitely make your car runs smooth as glass;
• Enhances fuel mileage – Premium synthetic oil reduces the amount of friction that occurs between key engine components, therefore making your engine runs efficiently and smoothly. This improves the fuel mileage of your ride, so you’ll spend more time on the road and less time/money at the gas station;
• Flows better in hot or cold weather – The proprietary formula of synthetic motor oil makes it flow better in extreme temperatures. During winter, its resistance to viscosity breakdown allows it flows freely regardless of how cold it’s outside, so your vehicle is less likely to break down due to cold starts. Alternatively, synthetic oil works at top performance during hotter weather as well;
• Longer lifespan than conventional oil – The best full synthetic motor oil has a considerably longer lifespan than conventional oil or synthetic blends. In some situations, full synthetic oil features a change interval of up to 15,000 miles, compared to 3,000 miles for the conventional product;
• Saves you money in the long term – Even though synthetic product initially costs more per quart than conventional, it saves you dollars in the long run. You won’t only get more mileage out of motor components and save money on fuel, but you’ll also spare on less frequent oil changes.

Types

• Full synthetic – It’s designed with a unique molecular structure and is infused with additives to provide optimal wear protection and performance for your motor. Unlike conventional oil, it’s not derived from whole, unrefined petroleum, so it’s created without any of the impurities. The best synthetic motor oil brands use a proprietary blend of anti-wear and cleaning additives to make your drive smooth as silk;
• Synthetic blend – This’s a mix of conventional oil and a brand’s synthetic base oil. It’s a conventional oil fortified with synthetic additives for better motor performance and protection. Synthetic blend doesn’t deliver the same level of protection and performance as a top-rated synthetic oil. However, a synthetic blend gives more benefits than conventional oil.

Oil Specifications

API (American Petroleum Institute)

API’s specification consists of a two-letter rating that begins with S, which stands for Service (Petrol engines), or C, which stands for Commercial (Diesel engines). The second letter appoints oil’s quality, beginning with the letter A. The further along with the alphabet, the higher the oil’s quality. The latest API standard is SN from 2011. Categories from SA to SH are obsolete. Currently in use are SJ, SL, SM, and SN.

ILSAC (International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee)

This committee consists of the US, European and Japanese car manufacturers. They often share specifications with API, but the focus is on emission systems and fuel economy. Standard applies to SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, and 10W-30 viscosity grade oils. The latest specification is ILSAC GF-5, ILSAC GF-6 is under development. To recognize that an oil meets ILSAC requirements, API developed a starburst certification mark.

ACEA (The Association Des Constructeurs Européens D’automobiles)

ACEA is a set of standards requested for all oils that are sold in Europe. Specification by ACEA can fall into four categories: A for petrol engines, B for diesel engines, C for engines that are catalyst compatible, and E for heavy-duty diesel engines.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

This set of standards is developed and approved by car manufacturers and are very important for cars under warranty. Check the car manufacturer website to find out what oil brands passed OEM tests.