Synthetic oil costs more — but is it always the right choice? And is mineral oil still sufficient? We compare all three types to help you decide.

Full Synthetic Oil

  • Higher performance and protection at temperature extremes
  • Viscosity stability in extreme heat and cold
  • Longer drain intervals — up to 10,000–15,000 km
  • Best for modern engines and high-performance vehicles
  • Higher upfront cost, but overall cost may be lower due to longer change intervals

Semi-Synthetic Oil

  • A balance between performance and price
  • Better than mineral in heat resistance and protection
  • Suitable for many modern and mid-range vehicles
  • Typical drain interval: ~7,500 km

Mineral Oil

  • Most economical
  • Suitable for older engines that don't require synthetic
  • Requires more frequent changes (~5,000 km)
  • Lower performance in extreme heat

What's Best for Syria & the Middle East?

Given the extreme heat, traffic congestion and dust, the recommendation is:

The rule: always follow what your owner's manual specifies — don't guess.