When To Buy Synthetic Oil

People who drive high-performance vehicles today must use engine lubricants that will remain completely effective during extreme temperature fluctuations. These substances are not directly derived from petroleum, but are actually formulated using organic compounds and other types of hydrocarbons. Although everyday drivers understand that there are differences, most people are unsure whether or not to buy synthetic oil.

When the German war effort was in danger of losing its oil supplies during World War II, a substitute was hastily developed to keep the machines moving. Human conflicts often speed the development of technology, and these products are one example of an unintended but positive outcome. Over seventy years later the same basic manufacturing principles are used to make a variety of lubricants, from pure synthetics to blended products.

Even though supplies are still comparatively abundant, the price of crude is high due to increased world demand. As is often the case, improving on nature has proven somewhat expensive, and using synthetics in a routine oil change costs about twice as much. This added expense raises consumer eyebrows in a time when middle-class income is barely growing, and the price of gasoline rarely if ever decreases.

Potential users assume that a lubricant not derived from crude oil does not present the same environmental hazards, but that is only true up to a point. While not actually a refined petroleum product, it still has certain properties of hydrocarbons, and can have a measurable impact on air quality levels. Even with these additional costs and less healthy by-products, synthetics are increasingly recommended by auto makers as better vehicle maintenance.

Advertisers initially tried to sell synthetics using extravagant and often-disputed claims. Even though that style of marketing proved counter-productive, the products available today are superior to petroleum derivatives in a number of ways. During the manufacturing process, the molecules that comprise certain synthetic hydrocarbons and organic compounds become roughly equal in size, greatly reducing friction.

These artificial lubricants greatly reduce friction, which is an excellent way to increase overall horsepower while cutting down on general wear. More efficient operation can also decrease the volume of gasoline burned, while extending the useful life of the vehicle. Synthetics are able to flow more freely in the cold of winter, and react equally as well under extremely high temperatures and engine stress.

The interval between recommended oil changes is twice as long when synthetics are used. Thermal degradation and ongoing oxidation can turn clean standard weight oil into sludge fairly quickly, but the additives and atomic structure in synthetics helps to retain viscosity, while protecting from acidic damage. These lubricants are not only recommended, but necessary for engines with ultra-precise tolerances.

Even when not specifically necessary, using these products can help a vehicle run better and longer. While it is advisable to heed the advice of the manufacturer regarding oil use, mixing synthetic and standard products will not cause damage to most engines. Having a cleaner running vehicle benefits everyone, and until the time comes when hydrocarbon-based lubricants are no longer needed, synthetics are an excellent choice.