or does conventional motor oil serve just as good?
2006-12-23 22:47:44 · 7 answers · asked by shortstoperic7_2000 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
One thing most people do not realize is that synthetic oil is not "synthetic" per say, it is regular oil that has been more refined. A popular misconception is that synthetic oil is magically created in a beaker. The truth is, all oil comes in a natural state, and all oil starts as crude. The difference between a synthetic and a mineral based oil is just a matter of how that crude is processed. Synthetic oil is highly refined crude with molecules that have been realigned by man. This makes them significantly different from what they were in the ground. As a result, synthetics have a uniform molecular size and lower traction properties, reducing friction. Crude has lots of impurities, but they are removed during refining when formulating a synthetic oil. However, that's not to say synthetic oils are always better than mineral-based oils. These days, additives are even more important then whether base oils are mineral or synthetic.
m-t-nest is also correct, modern formulations have smaller amounts of ester, but they can promote solubility and clean up deposits that were left behind by mineral oils. If those deposits had become part of the tolerances around a gasket or seal, then synthetics can clean that out and expose those areas. In a situation like that, the oil itself isn't so much causing the leak as it is exposing an existing problem.
2006-12-23 23:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Gearhead 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Consumers report did a study on synthetic oils vs standard. The findings were interesting. Synthetic oil does not break down. It only needs changed when it gets dirty. It can be filtered and put back in. It decreased friction and increased fuel economy. Based on this data, I started using it. I run it 10,000 miles between changes. One thing to know about it though is that if you put it an older car, it will find a leak.
2006-12-23 22:55:14 · answer #2 · answered by m-t-nest 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They're all good. I've used them all and found little difference among them. I used to sell Amsoil and I truly believe it's the best, but not enough better to justify the extra cost. Make sure a new or newly rebuilt engine is broken in before you switch from "normal" oil. And if you have more than about 60,000 miles on your engine, synthetic will loosen up all the built-up crud deposits from "normal" oil and could mess the engine up.
2016-05-23 03:38:28 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes synthetic works, if you have a new car and start with synthetic your supposed to stay with it. You are not supposed to put it in an old engine with like 100k miles on it. I use regular oil and change it every couple thousand miles, I change it when the oil gets a brown color. Dont think that you will get more miles out of an engine because you use synthetic oil. You will get the same miles with regular oil. My dad has over 250K on his 2001 intrepid and uses regular oil, it dosent leak or burn any oil. Its all in how well you take car of your car. ;)
2006-12-24 00:12:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you plan on keeping your vehicle for a long time then yes use it. If not then use conventional motor oil. Mobil one is the best. A friend of mine has used mobil one in his 88 Chevy S-10 truck for years since he bought it new back then and now the truck has over 300,000 miles on it and still runs like a top. He swears by mobil one. All Corvettes from the factory have mobil one oil in them and that's what GM recommends that consumers who buy them use.
2006-12-23 23:38:32 · answer #5 · answered by guitardan 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, all aircraft with turbine engines use synthetic oil, and have for years. They don't do it for no reason.
2006-12-24 02:15:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Synthetics are better as they don't break down as quickly. Most high performance cars use them from new.
2006-12-23 22:52:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋