Three Reasons Why To Use A Synthetic Engine Oil
Posted on: 15 September 2015
The term "synthetic oil" may remind you of plastic and make you think it's something you want to keep far away from your engine at all costs, but in fact, synthetic oils are often higher-quality than petroleum based oils and can incur many benefits for your car. Their performance at high temperatures is smooth and elegant, and they often achieve a lower winter viscosity as well. Here are three of the most important reasons why you might consider using synthetic oil in your engine.
1. Viscosity
Because they're specifically engineered to lubricate and cool engines, synthetic oils are often more technologically advanced than the oils we're used to using. For example, their winter viscosity is often more suitable to their high-temperature viscosity than that of petroleum-based oils. This ensures that your engine can get optimal oil flow when you first start the engine, minimizing or eliminating the period of running cold without proper lubrication. Because an unlubricated engine can wear itself down dozens of times faster than normal, eliminating this period can extend the life of your engine considerably.
2. Purity
Petroleum-based oil, though it's processed and filtered, still often contains minute traces of other compounds. This is an artifact of its organic origin. Synthesized oils are, of course, put together without these impurities. In addition, synthesized oils don't rely on additives as much as petroleum-based oils do. Fewer additives means fewer impurities to react together and create sludge.
3. Lifespan
Although no oil lasts forever, synthetic oil has the ability to lubricate your engine for much longer than another oil might. This is because it degrades more slowly, due to factors such as fewer impurities, fewer additives, less reliance on additives, less change in viscosity, and others. Increased oil lifespan means you can adjust your oil change schedule, paying for new oil less often.
These three reasons demonstrate that investing in a synthetic oil is the best oil decision you can make for your vehicle. This is especially true if you have a modern car, many of which are designed to run on synthetic oil. If you have a very old car, synthetic oils can still help the engine. However, cars were engineered differently in older decades, so ask your mechanic before switching; you may need to replace some seals or oil hoses (old oil systems weren't designed to hold the smaller molecules of synthetic oil) to facilitate the switch.
So next time you have your oil changed or need an auto repair, talk to a specialist, such as those at Prairie Tire And Auto Center, for more information about the benefits of synthetic oil.
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