The Pros And Cons Of Fully Synthetic Motor Oil

Posted by Brett Slansky | 2:33 AM | 0 comments »

By Annabelle Holman


Unlike gasoline and windshield washing fluid, your car's engine lubricant doesn't get used up. Unless you have a leak in the system or are burning oil because of an engine flaw, you can change it periodically to keep the engine clean. There are different types of engine lube depending on how they are manufactured. The three types are mineral oil, a mineral/synthetic blend or fully synthetic motor oil.

Many vehicles can survive on run-of-the-mill mineral oil. Prepared from refined crude, it is the least expensive of the engine lubricant options. It works perfectly well in your everyday motor vehicles. The next most expensive lube is a synthetic blend. These are manufactured in a laboratory and designed specifically for high performance motors, as well as those that are getting a little bit long in the tooth.

When it comes to completely synthesized engine lubricants, no crude oils (or animals) are harmed in its manufacture. These are the highest priced products and designed for your fussier eaters, such as the Chevrolet Corvette. They are often selected for industrial use because of their incredible longevity.

What are the driving factors (no pun intended) behind the use of high-grade synthetics over garden variety mineral oils? One of the main benefits of synthetic lubricant is its improved flow characteristics, especially at low temperatures. This feature is particularly useful when starting the engine, when most wear takes place.

Another reason to upgrade your automobile's lubricant is to prolong the time interval in between oil changes. Not only does this save you money in the long term on replacement oil filters and motor oil itself, it makes your life a lot easier if you perform your own vehicle maintenance.

A little bit of folklore concerning artificial lubricants is that they cannot be mixed with the genuine article. This is completely untrue. They are perfectly compatible with conventional oils and may used in cars both old and new in any proportion. You can also switch back and forth from one form to the other. It's not like gasoline versus diesel, where getting them mixed up can ruin your whole day, not to mention your bank account.

One word of warning, however, if you do decide to upgrade from conventional lubricants to the synthetic type. Don't skimp. This is penny wise and pound foolish. Some brands contain additives that could harm your engine. You would be much better off with the cheap stuff than by purchasing a lower-priced synthetic product. It's like anything else. You get what you pay for.

Different types of car require different types of oil. If you are in any doubt about which type you should get for your own vehicle, check with the manufacturer. An artificial lubricant can extend the useful life of a car with more than 100,000 miles on the clock. Prima donna performance cars also prefer the expensive stuff. Remember not to scrimp on the synthetic lubricant or you could be doing your vehicle a disservice.




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