8/04/2014

The Pros And Cons Of Fully Synthetic Motor Oil

By Annabelle Holman


Many motorists view engine lubricant as a consumable item, like gasoline or windshield washer fluid. This is not the case. Engine oil is more like a part than it is a consumable. While the level can deteriorate over time, especially if you have a leak in the system or your car starts burning it. Fully synthetic motor oil is often a good choice, especially in an older car that has clocked up a lot of miles. These oils are, however, very expensive.

A lot of cars run perfectly happily on garden variety mineral oil, the lowest grade of engine lubricant. This is derived from crude oil that has been through a refining process. At a slightly higher tier are the synthetic blends. These are made in a lab and tend to be designed specifically with the high-performance motor in mind. They can also coddle an engine that is getting delicate as it approaches retirement age.

Fully synthetic lubricants are the most expensive. We tend to save these for your more picky eaters like high-end sports cars. They are the lubricant of choice in industry because they have a much longer useful life than ordinary mineral oils.

What are the driving forces behind changing to a more expensive kind of engine lubricant? One notable advantage is for its better flow characteristics, particularly at low temperatures. You really don't want to coax your engine to start on a cold, snowy mornings! Engine start-up is also the most demanding scenario in terms of wear.

Synthetic oils can extend the length of the time span in between oil changes. If you tend to do your own work, this alone can make it worth the extra expense. Over time, it obviously saves you money on oil and filters.

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.

There is one little word of warning, however. If you do decide to go upmarket, make sure you go all the way. Cheaper variants of synthetic engine lubricants may contain harmful additives. This could make you worse off than if you just used simple, low-rent mineral oil. There are some things you shouldn't skimp on, and engine lubricant is one of them. Learn how to darn your own socks to save money, but don't scrimp on your motor oil.

Different engines need different engine oils. If you are a bit unsure or have any questions about what to put in your vehicle, the Internet is a good place to educate yourself. Check the manufacturer's website. Mooch around the forums to see what people are saying about the different products.




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