Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or however long it says in your handy dandy owner’s manual — that’s how often you have to get your oil changed in your RV. That is, of course, if your RV is diesel. If it’s gas, bump that frequency down to 5,000.
If you’re the average driver, you probably give very little thought to this routine bit of maintenance. All you normally do is tell the repair shop that you’re there to get your RV serviced, and you’ll drive away as always, maybe not even thinking twice about what they did.
But it might help to inquire about what kind of oil your RV is getting. It might be a good idea to ask for the best full synthetic oil when given the chance.
You see, the difference between full synthetic oil and the conventional kind of oil is huge. There’s a reason people ask for it when they go in to get serviced. But knowing the reason why is important, because there’s a lot to learn about the best full synthetic oil.
What Is Synthetic Oil?
image via: unsplash
There’s been a lot of debate about synthetic oil. The problem is, there’s some confusion about what synthetic oil actually is. Many would like to believe that it is any engine oil produced without the use of petroleum.
But if we’re getting technical, that just isn’t true.
An easier way to understand full synthetic oil is by looking at the groups these oils are divided up into. The first two groups are oils that are derived from petroleum, which is pretty standard and probably what you’re used to.
Where it gets a little confusing though, is in the last three groups. Group three, while technically being synthetic, is still produced by petroleum like the first two groups. It’s also known as “semi-synthetic.” More on that later.
The last two groups are four and five, and these are fully synthetic. They do not use any petroleum at all.
The Practical Difference Between Full Synthetic Oil and Semi-Synthetic Oil
When it comes to the best full synthetic oil, don’t settle for anything less. That means, make sure it says “full” synthetic on the bottle. Anything else is either regular engine-clogging oil or semi-synthetic.
But what is semi-synthetic oil?
Semi-synthetic oil, or synthetic blend, is a blend of oil typically containing no more than 30% of synthetic oil. Semi-synthetic does a relatively good job of keeping your engine clean and is actually good for drivers who put heavy loads or intense usage. It’s simply a mix of the full synthetic and standard oils.
There’s nothing wrong with semi-synthetic blends if you’re trying to pay for something cheaper. But at the same time, full synthetic oils allow for your RV to travel longer before needing an oil change. And that might come in handy if you go on long trips.
And synthetic is twice as much as regular and semi-synthetic oils. That, on top of how much cleaner it keeps your engine, meaning its longevity is extended, means that going for full synthetic might save you money in the long run.
The whole point of full synthetic oil is to prolong the lifespan of your RV. It even protects your engine against its most extreme temperatures.
More Benefits of Getting the Best Full Synthetic Oil
There’s a world of difference between conventional oil and synthetic oil. Many people are turned off by the price of it, even if it is not that much more expensive. In fact, if you look at all the benefits of full synthetic oil, you’ll see it basically pays for itself.
A typical oil change in your RV depends largely on how many quarts of oil your RV requires. But, typically, you’re looking at a cost between $25 and $30 for 5 quarts of regular oil, whereas a synthetic oil change will bump up the price to around $50 to $60. That’s not including labor.
That might sound like a big jump — in fact, it’s double — but there are plenty of reasons synthetic oil is more beneficial to your RV than semi-synthetic or regular oil.
Reduction of friction
The most essential purpose of your vehicle’s oil is to minimize wear and tear by literally oiling up the moving parts. By putting oil between two moving parts, you’re cushioning those objects and allowing them to move more freely without trouble.
Too much friction can damage just about anything, and your vehicle is no exception. Too much friction can result in a lot of wear and tear, but if your oil gets too low, it can also start to burn through your engine. If you’ve ever made the mistake of not changing your oil on time, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Your engine overheats and starts to make banging noises. That has a lot to do with friction, but also temperature control.
Temperature control
Oil works to keep the engine cool. Your engine is a lot like your body. It needs to maintain a certain temperature in order to function properly. Oil helps with temperature control in a number of ways.
First of all, as we said before, it reduces friction. That’s one thing that helps keep it cool. It also helps dissipate heat after fuel consumption.
Equipment protection
Those who have gone a long time without changing their oil may have RV troubles. That’s the last thing you want while traveling. Right?
For those who put it off, their RVs all show the same signs after being taken into the shop. Typically, the engine is damaged. Sometimes it can get so bad that the engine becomes warped to the point where it needs replacement.
A good way to combat this is to get your oil changed at the recommended interval, as instructed by the bottle. Again, standard oil is typically every 7,500, and full synthetic can be up to 15,000 or more. It all depends. But keeping up with it will prolong the lifespan of the equipment. Oil simply lubes everything up and makes sure they are working at peak capacity, without causing any damage to the equipment itself.
Longevity of your engine
The only way to ensure a long lifespan for your vehicle is by changing the oil regularly. For all the reasons listed above, changing and maintaining your oil is one of the most basic, and important, ways to properly take care of your RV. If you want to get the most out of it, pay close attention to your oil.
That also means paying close attention to what kind of oil you’re putting in your engine. If available, always choose the best full synthetic oil option.
How to Determine What Kind of Oil Your RV Needs
Before you put anything into your RV, make sure to read your user manual. There’s no better information than what you’ll get straight from the source. This should inform you about what you should and should not do to your RV.
But when it comes to the best full synthetic oil, there’s very little margin of error. In other words, you can’t really go wrong with synthetic oil.
However, by reading your manual, you’ll be able to find out just what thickness or viscosity your engine will be able to handle. That absolutely matters in either hot or cold climates where the temperature of your engine determines how well your automobile will function. Typically, full synthetic oils do come in different viscosities. The higher the viscosity, or thickness, the more resistance it has in the engine.
Synthetic oil is great for all engines. But just how great it is, depends on how great your engine is. Older, less efficient, RVs usually get the typical 5,000 miles out of synthetic oil (with cleaner results), but newer RVs can get as much as 10,000 miles out of it — maybe more. That’s more than three times longer than conventional oil, for a much cleaner and healthier engine.
The 5 Best Full Synthetic Oil Options
It’s hard to go wrong with any full synthetic oil options, but you should never settle for anything less than the best. Choosing the best option will only extend the lifespan of your vehicle even further, which, as we discussed, is actually the most logical way to save money in the long run.
Since you’re here, you’re looking for the best full synthetic oil options, so you’re already making the right decision.
So, here are the top five options for the best full synthetic oil.
[amazon box=”B00JMCCG8Q,B007G7PWYY,B00GZKC36S,B006P0WNMW,B078JP39VT” template=”table”]
1. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40
[amazon box=”B00JMCCG8Q”]
Pennzoil’s patented PurePlus synthetic oil technology involves a process that converts natural gas into high quality full synthetic oil. That’s made of mostly pure natural gases. It’s one of the best full synthetic oil options because it’s considered very high quality by customers.
Using the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40 keeps your engine’s pistons 40 percent cleaner than what is required by industry standards. When compared to leading synthetic brands, this one competes with how well it keeps the engine clean. It also offers, according to Pennzoil, an overall better fuel economy than many of its competitors, which means an average of five hundred more miles a year. The product has an Amazon customer rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars.
If you’re confident in changing the oil yourself, you can pick up a bottle from $10 to $18.
2. Castrol Edge Professional OE Full Synthetic 0W-20
[amazon box=”B007G7PWYY”]
Technology and engineering both progress and it warrants all new ways of creating the best full synthetic oil types. The Castrol Edge Professional has what’s called “Fluid Titanium technology,” which Castrol claims means more power and more efficiency than normal full synthetic brands. According to the highest global standards, the Castrol Edge is certified CO2 neutral, making it cleaner for your engine and the environment.
The Castrol Edge greatly reduces metal to metal friction and contact the whole time it’s in your RV’s system. It also greatly reduces engine deposit and left-over residues.
You can purchase this oil anywhere from $10 to $40. It has an Amazon customer rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars.
3. Valvoline SynPower 5w-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
[amazon box=”B00GZKC36S”]
The focus of the Valvoline SynPower synthetic oil is to target the three main causes of engine breakdown: heat, deposits, and wear. The best full synthetic oil should expertly handle those things by lubricating, cooling, and cleansing your engine.
The Valvoline SynPower is formulated with durable anti-wear additives that stay in your engine the whole time. So if you’re looking for something that takes care of your engine with ease and no stress, the Valvoline SynPower is one of the best. Amazon customers rated it 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.
You can purchase this full synthetic oil for around $8 to $23.
4. Mag 1 Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
[amazon box=”B006P0WNMW”]
The Mag 1 Full Synthetic oil is, according to Mag 1, amongst the purest formulas of full synthetic oil out there. This oil exceeds all warranty requirements. The idea is to improve fuel mileage and claims to offer longer engine protection than competitors.Horsepower and acceleration and improved over time with the use of this oil.
In hot and cold driving conditions alike, your vehicle will perform excellently. The Mag 1 Full Synthetic comes in many different viscosity levels. But even their lowest viscosity (thinnest) oils compete with the thickest ones. Customers on Amazon rated it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Luckily, the Mag 1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil is only $6 to $26.
5. Mobil 1’s 0W-40 Synthetic
[amazon box=”B078JP39VT”]
The highest rated and what is considered the best full synthetic oil is the Mobil 1’s 0W-40 Synthetic. Mobil is a very trusted brand in the world of motor oil. Even the most high profile vehicles and race cars use this as their chosen brand of full synthetic oil.
Their full synthetic oil delivers great performance and is designed for engines of all types. It is rated very high for its great cleaning capabilities, performance enhancement, and protection against wear and tear.
Remarkably, this is one of the best full synthetic oil for any temperatures. Especially in low temperatures. The 0W-40 can still pour in temperatures as low as -53 degrees and temperatures as high as 400 degrees.
For the best full synthetic oil, you’ll only have to pay around $8 to $25. Amazon customers rated it 4.8 out of 5.0 stars.
Why It’s Important to Pick the Right Oil
Bottom line, if you want your vehicle to last, choosing the right oil is a good place to start. Your best bet is looking for the best full synthetic oil on the market. As you can see, the highest rated product out right now is the Mobil 1’s 0W-40 Full Synthetic. It is a customer favorite.
Think about your RV every step of the way. Think about the performance of your RV and how much money you’ll be putting into it for the next few years. It’s important to choose the right oil because you want to save money and extend that lifespan. So consider only the best full synthetic oil.
What kind of RV do you own? Which oil do you use in it? Let us know in the comments!