Synthetic vs Conventional Oil near Washington, DC

Synthetic vs Conventional Oil near Washington, DC

If you’re like most people, then you’re probably not too familiar with the differences between synthetic and conventional oil. Fortunately, the Service Department at Pohanka Automotive Group is here to fill you in! Depending on your needs, you might prefer to go with one type of fluid over the other, so we’re here to explain their respective benefits. Feel free to contact our technicians with your questions!

Conventional Oil

Chances are your set of wheels currently uses conventional oil to keep its engine properly lubricated. After all, this is generally the default grade that’s used at most dealerships, as it’s less expensive than its synthetic counterpart. This is due in part to the fact that it’s derived from crude oil and has a less involved refinement process, making it the more affordable option of the two. In addition, since conventional oil has been around for a longer period of time, people are simply more used to using it. As a result, this fluid is preferred by motorists with typical driving needs.

Synthetic Oil

Although synthetic oil costs more, it’s widely believed to have several advantages over conventional. First and foremost, though this grade is also taken from crude oil, it then proceeds to have various impurities removed to enhance its overall performance. Additionally, it boasts more uniform molecular qualities, which allows it to better withstand the intense heat and friction that occurs within your powertrain. As a result, synthetic grades often last longer and don’t need to be changed as frequently, which can even out the higher cost in the long run. Plus, it’s more effective at protecting your engine, keeping it clean, and performing in extreme hot and cold temperatures. As a result, many drivers see the benefit in investing in this type of oil. 

Visit Us for Oil Changes!

If you’re still not sure which grade of oil is right for you, we’ll gladly lend a hand. Our service staff has years of experience and detailed knowledge of all sorts of makes and models, meaning that we can determine which type is best for your specific ride. Moreover, we’ll account for your car’s age, condition, mileage, and even your personal driving habits. In general, if you don’t drive long distances on a daily basis, then you might prefer to stick with conventional oil to save on your visits. On the other hand, if you’re looking to avoid seeing us as frequently, then going with synthetic oil might be the right move. 

To learn more about the differences between synthetic vs conventional oil near Washington, DC, be sure to get in touch with Pohanka Automotive Group. Before visiting us for maintenance, check out our competitive specials for some money-saving deals!

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Testimonials

Thomas Banks
Thomas Banks
GOOGLE
3-9-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Rich P
Rich P
GOOGLE
3-9-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

When I think of my past experience at Pohanka, I think of professionalism, respect, and fair pricing. The staff there, including Steve and Hunter were on top of things from the time we first got there. Sophie Jones, however, was the best! She made the entire experience smooth and fun. Nice job Pohanka!

Tara
Tara
GOOGLE
3-9-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Great staff and service..Thanks

Azita Afshartous
Azita Afshartous
GOOGLE
3-8-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

I am very pleased with my car service and employees that helped. Both service manager and general manager were very positive and helped me with my questions. Thank you

JC Lopez
JC Lopez
GOOGLE
3-7-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

David was an awesome service advisor. Friendly, honest and communicated updates. The work was done well and completed on time, as promised. I highly recommend David at Pohanka Chevy Chantilly!!

Richard Day
Richard Day
GOOGLE
3-6-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Jonah and Stephen were great to deal with, worked with me after hours to make sure I got the corvette and papers were signed, would recommend them to anyone looking to purchase a vehicle

Edward Longwe
Edward Longwe
GOOGLE
3-6-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Quick service in a timely manner

Alex Chrisman
Alex Chrisman
GOOGLE
3-5-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Shady Botros
Shady Botros
GOOGLE
3-5-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Cam at Pohanka Chevy was great to work with. He helped me get into my Corvette and made the entire buying process quick and smooth. Very knowledgeable and easy to deal with. If you’re shopping there, ask for Cam.

Gordon Sweeney
Gordon Sweeney
GOOGLE
3-3-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Jonah was terrific! Extensive knowledge of the various vehicle options, patient to answer questions, and a pleasure to do business with. Met or exceeded all of his commitments, felt like he had a genuine interest in our success. Thanks for having someone like Jonah on your team!

John Tillman
John Tillman
GOOGLE
3-2-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Ian and Stephen were both very knowledgeable and great to work with.

Michael Andersen
Michael Andersen
GOOGLE
3-2-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Mark Holway
Mark Holway
GOOGLE
3-1-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Fantastic experience getting my new C8 Eray from Jonah Kemp at Pohanka ! Expert level Corvette specialist with great transparency and thorough communication every step of the way.

Christopher Burkard
Christopher Burkard
GOOGLE
3-1-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

I got connected to Pohanka through my credit union's car buying service, asked for some pricing information, wasn't given the "well why don't you come in and we'll talk about it", just given exactly what I asked for. I liked the price, liked the car, liked the staff. Easiest car buying experience I've ever had.

Brendan Fitzgerald
Brendan Fitzgerald
GOOGLE
2-28-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Always trustworthy and excellent service. Adam did a great job.

ismael barba
ismael barba
GOOGLE
2-28-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Quick and professional thanks

Jon Mutu
Jon Mutu
GOOGLE
2-28-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Stephanie service advisor is always very genuine at helping customer and ensure complete satisfaction

Victoria Propheter
Victoria Propheter
GOOGLE
2-27-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

I recently had the most positive experience at Pohanka Chevrolet in the service department with David B., and I cannot recommend this dealership — or his assistance — enough! I usually dread dealing with anything related to my car. Since my vehicle is still under warranty, I’ve had to visit several other Chevy dealerships in the area, and unfortunately, I’ve had negative experiences time after time. From poor customer service to unreasonable repair timelines, it was incredibly frustrating. When my check engine light came on again, I decided it was finally time to try Pohanka for the first time — and I am so glad I did. This dealership will absolutely be my new go-to. I walked in without an appointment, and David immediately greeted me and began gathering detailed information about the issues I was experiencing. He was attentive, patient, and made sure every one of my questions was answered thoroughly. From start to finish, he demonstrated exceptional customer service — providing timely text updates and phone calls to keep me informed about the status and diagnosis of my vehicle. Everything was handled efficiently and professionally, and I now feel completely confident driving my car again thanks to David and the entire service team at Pohanka. After I complete some detailing and body work, I already plan to return to Pohanka for my scheduled maintenance. David is truly a class act, and I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience. For the first time in a long time, dealing with a car issue was not a headache — it was genuinely a pleasure working with him and the team.

Sharon Cook
Sharon Cook
GOOGLE
2-27-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Great experience Sophie and fiance team great.

jose escobar
jose escobar
GOOGLE
2-27-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

It was great service and excellent work love it

Brooke Seybold
Brooke Seybold
GOOGLE
2-25-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

I recently bought a Chevy Tahoe from Pohanka Chevrolet. My experience was amazing! They made the whole process seamless. Jonah and the rest of the team were great! They had all the steps in place so there were no long wait times between all the paperwork, etc that needs to get done. I will definitely do business with them again.

Shane Becker
Shane Becker
GOOGLE
2-25-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Stephanie was great to work with, communication was great, service times worked out perfectly.

Deidre Smith
Deidre Smith
GOOGLE
2-23-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Herman Harris
Herman Harris
GOOGLE
2-22-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Very friendly honest and upfront work was done in timely manner and communication went very well

LP Y
LP Y
GOOGLE
2-21-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Excellent service!

Jason Burns
Jason Burns
GOOGLE
2-21-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Johnny was excellent. Top notch service by all!

Dalton Smiley
Dalton Smiley
GOOGLE
2-21-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

They handled my company truck perfectly. Nothing missing from my truck and they even cleaned it! Highly recommend

Tony Panzarella
Tony Panzarella
GOOGLE
2-20-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Amazeing customer service! Adam and David were fantastic their recommendations despite not having to do a repair were spot on. They are courteous and professional!

Flora Benitez
Flora Benitez
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
David Kim
David Kim
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Professional and courteous service rep. Adam greeted me for my appointment promptly.

Parham Parvizi
Parham Parvizi
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Adam at the service department is extremely friendly, professional, and patient. Thanks team for a free service.

Marc Curtis
Marc Curtis
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Great customer service, my new truck was in and out for an oil change in 1 hour.

Barbara Harrick
Barbara Harrick
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Once again, thanks to the Pohanka Chevy Service Team and specifically to David Beltran, my Service Advisor. The engine light on my Tahoe came on and I had AAA tow my Tahoe to Pohanka. David walked me through the service/extended warranty process for a HUGE fix, secured a loaner car while the insurance reviewed everything, kept great lines of communication open, and basically held this nervous lady's hand throughout. I felt like my car, as well as me, mattered. This is my 3rd vehicle I have purchased from Pohanka since 1995, and they secured my loyalty a long time ago and I keep being reminded why when I have such great experiences as this!!! Thanks David and Pohanka!!!!

Idris Somoye
Idris Somoye
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Bcias 1611
Bcias 1611
GOOGLE
2-18-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Josh Beegle
Josh Beegle
GOOGLE
2-17-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Preet was absolutely phenomenal in helping my family and I find our dream car for the best price! He was super helpful and patient and answered all of our questions!! He went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable throughout the whole process! Highly recommend him and the whole team!

Matthew Hart
Matthew Hart
GOOGLE
2-17-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Christian was great. Fast service, listened and helped overcome blockers in a quick manner. 100% going back to this location for future services.

Pedro Jimenez
Pedro Jimenez
GOOGLE
2-17-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Jeyhun Mammadov
Jeyhun Mammadov
GOOGLE
2-16-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Great experience! The staff was professional, friendly, and very helpful throughout the whole process. Everything was smooth, clear, and well organized. I truly appreciate the service and would definitely recommend this dealership to others.

Mike Reese
Mike Reese
GOOGLE
2-14-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Looking for a new/used car? Go ask for Jhony at Pohanka in Chantilly. He knows his stuff and is very fair and honest. It was a pleasure working with him and the rest of the Pohanka team. Highly recommended car dealership.

Richard Glueckert
Richard Glueckert
GOOGLE
2-12-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

I had a Family Death in NY on a Sat .The Service Advisor was so Professional. I love Pohanka Service Team. I would recommend your Dealership to all of my Family and Friends.

pam flail
pam flail
GOOGLE
2-11-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Great service!

Donna Kautz
Donna Kautz
GOOGLE
2-11-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Muwafaq Ali
Muwafaq Ali
GOOGLE
2-11-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

I want to give a big thank you to Josh at Chevy Chantilly for taking great care of me during my recent service visit for my 2023 Chevy Suburban. Josh was very kind, professional, and excellent with customer service. He made the entire process smooth and stress-free, and I truly appreciated his communication and attitude. I also want to recognize the service manager (I didn’t catch his name). From the moment they opened, it was clear how well he runs the department checking in with customers, supporting his team, and staying on top of everything. You could really see the leadership in action. Everyone in the service area was moving quickly and working hard to help customers. It wasn’t just Josh the entire team was hustling, which really stood out to me. The only issue I noticed was after I got home, I saw that my Suburban was leaking oil. Unfortunately, my schedule is very tight, so I won’t be able to bring it back until next weekend. I also noticed some oil spots on the door and interior. Even though seat covers were used, I believe the technician could be more careful about keeping hands clean when handling the vehicle. That said, I’m confident this is something they will address, and it doesn’t take away from the excellent customer service I received overall. Because of Josh and the hardworking team, I’m still giving five stars and would absolutely recommend this dealership. Thank you again I appreciate the effort and professionalism.

U. Duane Spence
U. Duane Spence
GOOGLE
2-10-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star
Richard Jollon
Richard Jollon
GOOGLE
2-9-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Sophie was great. The purchase process was super easy. I called ahead we agreed on a price. The car was waiting and I was out the door with my new Tahoe in 2 hours.

Kevin Powers
Kevin Powers
GOOGLE
2-9-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Our sales person welcomed us into the dealership, listened to our vehicle needs/expectations, and found us a vehicle that met our budget. Management was helpful as well.

Justin Wallace
Justin Wallace
GOOGLE
2-8-2026
Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star Full Star

Great experience and prompt professional service. Adam was great.

Moe
Moe
GOOGLE
3-6-2026
Full Star Empty Star Empty Star Empty Star Empty Star

I bought the truck almost a year ago and today my first service appointment, Albert Kearns was great very professional and detailed regarding the type of service and the waiting time, he definitely deserve 5 stars, but here’s why I put one star review acutely I wish if I can do ZERO STAR For WENDY (customer service desk maintenance department ) so rude and very bad attitude , not professional at all , no respect even more, never said Thank you or have a good day even when I ask about my truck and I provide her with all the information she couldn’t find it!!!!!

Blake Morrison
Blake Morrison
GOOGLE
2-20-2026
Full Star Empty Star Empty Star Empty Star Empty Star

Told us there was a no hold policy and then they proceeded to hold a car for someone else as we were trying to buy it, after they already ran our credit but withheld financing details. Plenty of GM dealers - recommend looking elsewhere.

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