Can I switch between synthetic and conventional oil?

Yes, it’s possible to switch between them, although it’s best to follow your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations. If your car is older, consult a mechanic before making a switch.

Is synthetic oil worth the extra cost?

In most cases, yes—especially if you want longer intervals between changes and better protection. For frequent drivers or those in extreme climates, the investment often pays off.

How often should I change synthetic oil?

Many full synthetic oils are rated for up to 10,000 miles between changes, but always check your vehicle’s maintenance guide for specifics.

Petroleum Product of the Week: Halloween Edition

By Sarah Simonovich on Oct 28 2016

When you think of Halloween, you're probably not thinking of petroleum.

You think of candy, right? And costumes. All the fun stuff.

Now, while Halloween itself might not have any major impacts on the petroleum industry, it's no trick to say that the petroleum industry plays a role in the production of your favorite Halloween treats.

Petroleum is found in everything from the costume makeup you wear to the candy you get going door-to-door.

Don't believe us? Check out our breakdown of a very petroleum Halloween below.

Petrol the Dancing Clown "

Clowns are all the rage lately, for better or worse. And with the rise of clown sightings a 'la urban legend, we're predicting the popularity of clown costumes (unless if you're in Kemper County, Mississippi, where clown costumes are banned until November 1).

If you are going out as something completely horrible a clown, here are some of the elements of your costume that are likely made with petroleum:

Wig

If you're going for a vibrant, poofy wig for the ultimate clown hair, chances are it's made from synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, modacrylic, nylon or polyester, which are made from crude oil.

Makeup

If you're using Halloween makeup, chances are at least some of the products contain parabens, mineral oil, paraffin, or fragrance, " which are all made from oil. And that iconic plastic clown nose? You guessed it: petroleum.

clown shoes

Clothing

If your costume is off the rack, it's all but a guarantee that your ensemble is made from synthetic material. Like your perfect clown wig, these fibers are likely polyester. If you're decked out with any kind of plastic buttons, plastic zippers, or Velcro , those are also petroleum products.

Shoes

Whether you're wearing your own normal " shoes or obnoxious clown shoes, if they contain synthetic rubber, they're made from oil. Synthetic, man-made materials? Oil.

Mask

Ditching the full face of clown makeup? Then you'll need a terrifying clown mask. Most Halloween masks are made from latex. And while latex is found in nature (it's a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants), synthetic latex is made from polymerizing a monomer such as styrene (which is derived from, petroleum and gas by-products).

Props

Since all plastic is made from petroleum, any plastic Halloween prop you use this Halloween is made from petroleum. Using some fake blood for that truly authentic killer clown look? While fake blood recipes vary, most will contain some type of petroleum product, such as synthetic red dye.

Do you want a balloon? They Float... and some are even made from petroleum.

Did you carve a jack-o-lantern? Chances are the candle you're using a petroleum product, too.

Candy bag/bucket

If you're collecting your candy in a classic plastic pumpkin head, a plastic bag, or any other container made from plastic, nylon, or synthetic fibers, you've got oil.

Did you know that your trick-or-treat bag contains petroleum in two ways? When you fill it up with all your delicious candy, you're likely adding some petroleum-derived treats.

Yes, candy is also a petroleum product.

Those gum balls you like to blow, snap, and pop? Gum isn't really made from natural rubber anymore, but rather High-Purity Iso-Butylene (HPIB), which is made from petrochemicals.

Chocolate often contains paraffin wax to keep it from melting at room temperature and give it a shiny appearance. While not necessarily a Halloween " candy, treats like jelly beans are often coated in wax (sometimes paraffin) for that finished " look we know and love (or hate).

Love brightly colored candies? Red No. 40 is prevalent in foods, including things like gummy bears, M&M's, and CANDY CORN. Artificial food colorings are made from petroleum.

Approximately 0.4% of a barrel of crude oil is made into miscellaneous products. " Each barrel " contains 42 gallons of crude oil, but once its refined, it becomes 45 gallons of product. If approximately 94 million barrels of crude oil are produced a year, then that means 16.9 million gallons of refined oil are used for miscellaneous products " each year.

Now, we're not saying that Halloween alone requires 16.9 million gallons of oil, or that this one particular holiday can singlehandedly affect petroleum consumption ...but we're certainly not not saying that, either, if you know what I mean.