Can i switch back to conventional oil from synthetic

Why is It Important to Use a Motor Oil made from Natural Gas?

All engines generate contaminants such as soot, carbon, and sulfuric and nitric acid. These contaminants are inevitable byproducts of the combustion process, and all of them end up in your motor oil, to varying degrees. So, the question isn’t whether you need an oil that cleans, but how well your motor oil cleans the dirt and deposits your engine generates.

To put it simply, a cleaner engine is better protected, has a higher quality performance, and works more efficiently than a dirty one.

This is why it’s important to use a motor oil like Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, that helps keep engines cleaner than any leading synthetic motor oil.

Want to learn more about motor oil? Check our education section. 

What makes synthetic oil better? The Proof is in the Pennzoil.

Many people wonder about the benefits that come from using synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, especially since they notice the price tag is slightly higher than conventional motor oil. It all comes down to science and innovation.

Base oil makes up nearly 80% of a motor oil formulation and additives make up the remaining nearly 20%. The chemically engineered molecules in synthetic base oil have more uniform properties while the molecules found in conventional base oil differ in shape and levels of impurity. This shift to a cleaner, higher quality product is becoming the norm in the automotive world with 70% of new cars using synthetic motor oil to help maintain performance.

Pennzoil Synthetic motor oil, takes things to the next level of performance because they use base oil made from natural gas, which is purer than base oil made from crude oil. With the help of this revolutionary gas-to-liquid technology, your vehicle can experience complete engine protection including cleaner pistons1, better fuel economy2, horsepower protection3, unsurpassed wear protection4, and extreme temperature performance.

1Based on ILSAC GF-5, Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30, and Ford, Chrysler and GM specifications. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro products.

2Based on pistons from standard V6 engine in ASTM Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro products.

3Fuel economy measurements made using CAFE cycle under FTP75. Avg of 550 extra miles based on mixed city/highway miles and US avg of 13,476 miles driven per year with 4.1% better MPG vs dirty engine. Source fhwa.dot.gov, 2011. Follow OEM recommended oil drain intervals.

4Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30.

In the natural gas drop depicted in the header image, the base oil is crystal clear. We add our unique high-performance additives which gives Pennzoil its distinctive amber color. 

In the natural gas drop depicted in the header image, the base oil is crystal clear. We add our unique high-performance additives which gives Pennzoil its distinctive amber color. 

Q: Can I switch from synthetic oil to regular oil? I read it's a myth, but my mechanic says you can’t. By the way, I still read your column here after I moved to Venice, Florida. 

A: Synthetic oil and regular oil, for the most part, use very similar base stocks.

Synthetic oil varies from conventional oil in the way that it is refined. The molecules in synthetic oil are very uniform, while in conventional oil the molecules vary in size. This is one of the reasons synthetic oil flows more quicker and remains cooler than conventional oil.

Yes, you can switch back and forth with no harm, although, in my opinion, the benefits of synthetic oil outweigh the costs of a conventional oil change. 

Q: I am about to purchase a car — maybe not brand new but probably a couple of years old.

I have a 2010 Toyota Camry and have been very happy with it and want to get the same. What are the benefits of buying from a Toyota dealer? I do see some great deals from other dealerships that are not Toyota dealers.

A: When buying a used car from a new car dealer that sells the same brand of car, in many cases you are getting a “fresh” trade-in. Also, franchised car dealers will have exclusive access to factory auctions.

These recent trade-ins or manufacturer auction vehicles may have lower mileage, may be one-owner vehicles, and may have better overall history.

This doesn’t mean that other new and independent (large and small) dealers don’t have good cars. In fact, some car dealers will extensively recondition a used car — in some cases replacing the tires and batteries — to give that used car a new-car feel.

With any used car, it is always best to have it evaluated by a skilled technician prior to purchase. 

Q: Our 2013 Ford Taurus key fobs are not locking and unlocking the car doors in a regular fashion. The car was a used car bought from a dealership, and the warranty expired in 2019.

Do I need to get the work done at a Ford dealership, or could any repair shop fix the problem? I am not sure whether the fobs, the unlocking receiver or the actual car locks are the problem.

A: Many auto parts stores have a simple device that can check to see if the key fob is transmitting, which will help verify the operation of the fob.

If the fobs are only working intermittently, a very common issue is that the battery becomes loose and loses the connection. In fact, Ford produced a new gasket/shim for the fob that solves this problem.

If the fobs are transmitting, then the issue is with the receiver. Any competent repair shop would be able to diagnose and handle the repair. I have found that the franchised dealer, or an automotive locksmith, are more familiar with these issues. 

Q: I brought my Infiniti Q50 — with 50,000 miles — in to my local dealer for an oil change and alignment. They recommended four other services: transmission fluid change, power steering fluid change, throttle body cleaning and differential fluid change. I decided to go with the transmission fluid change but declined the rest, as none are listed on the service manual and they cost an additional $900.

When would the services I declined be necessary? I have trouble going with expensive services deemed necessary by the dealership that are not in the manual.

A: All of these fluid changes are only required if the fluid has started to deteriorate. As a general rule, according to Infiniti, power steering, transmission and differential fluids are a lifetime fill and, although they should be checked, there is no recommended replacement.

The throttle body cleaning is similar. If the vehicle has a cold-weather hesitation, it could be the result of carbon buildup in the throttle body, which is remedied by cleaning.

It doesn’t hurt to replace these fluids but, in most cases, it is not necessary.

John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.

Can you go from synthetic oil back to regular oil?

Can I switch back and forth between synthetic and conventional oil?

What happens if I put conventional oil instead of synthetic?