Synthetic Oil: Scam or Real Deal?
So what's the difference? Synthetic oil is produced in a lab, which means the only stuff in it is what they put in it. Despite the high-tech refining of crude oil, there are still contaminants in the oil that can build up and eventually damage an engine. Changing your oil and filter removes any loose particles that form, but often the build-up occurs in an isolated area of your engine, usually where it gets really, really hot. This build up can clog oil passages and valves, which can eventually lead to reduced engine life.
There are also ecological benefits to using synthetic oil. Its viscosity (ability to lubricate) stays higher than mined oil at high temperatures, enough to even affect your gas mileage. Since it breaks down much more slowly than petroleum-based oil, you can greatly extend the time between oil changes. One truck driver drove his semi 409,000 miles on synthetic without changing the oil! Think of how much less oil would have to be collected and recycled if we used half as much every year.
The bottom line is synthetic motor oils are an easy choice. The extra couple of bucks you spend for an oil change will be returned in no time at all. Better is better, whether its engine life, gas mileage or environmental impact.
photo courtesy Amsoil.
Comments
While it’s still a little too early to show any definative results, I just changed the dino-lube oil in my manual transmission to GL-5, and already it’s like day and night.
I own a ‘93 Jeep Wrangler with the 2.5 4 cyl. These come with a barely adequate 5-speed trans that are known for grinding and getting “notchy” by their 100,000th mile. Mine was. After I put in the GL-5, shifting became easier, the downshift grinding went away, and it seems a lot cooler. I think that I am getting better mileage too, but It’s too soon to tell.
I have been using Mobil 1 in all my cars since the mid 1980s. That was before high performance automakers like Porsche and Corvette put Mobil 1 in their cars at the factory. I buy the best filter money can buy, and change the oil every 20-25,000 miles on my Porsche and my Ford Escort. Before you think I’m crazy, hear me out.
The Escort now has over 150,000 miles and it only uses a quart every 7000 miles. The compression is as good now as it was at 25,000 miles and fuel economy is still 35-40 mpg at 75 mph on the highway. What more could you ask for?
Used this way, synthetic oil is much cheaper than conventional oil changed every 3000 to 5000 miles. I’m a chemist and I’ve studied the technology of synthetic oil. It doesn’t form the same kind of corrosive carboxylic acids in the combustion chamber as does conventional motor oil. It doesn’t break down and continues to provide good lubrication throughout it’s useful life.
When Mobil tells you their oil can now be changed at 15,000 miles, you can bet their lawyers know there are guys like me who’ve been going much longer for many years. They are finally realizing they should use this as a marketing tool.
I used to use 100% synthetic oil and synthetic blends in my vehicles until I started changing it myself and returning used oil in a barrel for recycling. The used oil collector told me not to mix used synth with used regular oil. Regular used oil can be re-distilled. It can also be used as heating fuel. Because synth has a high breakdown temperature, it messes up fractioning towers and oil burners. I am not certain about what can be done with used synth unless, maybe,it can be cleaned and reused. I haven’t seen any effort being made to recycle synth. So, I would rather just change my oil with an organic product every 3000 miles and maybe use an engine flush every tenth oil change. (The flush can be recycled with the oil.)
Does anybody know how used synth is diposed of?
Used synthetic oil raises the quality level of used petroleum oil in a collection barrel. Looking out for the used oil collector is beyond my range of reducing operation and maintenance expenses with synthetic lubes. My guess is that he is selling it for recycled heating oil.