Nobody wants their car to break down. To keep your vehicle running well, you need to provide it with regular service. Have the oil changed a few times per year, rotate the tires, and check and replace the brakes as needed. A good auto care service will take care of all these maintenance tasks for you. However, you may still want to know more about the processes they follow, when service is needed, and what other types of services may help your car last longer. We've build this website for people like you — responsible car owners who just want to learn more. Enjoy!
The motor oil you use in your vehicle serves various purposes. It lubricates, cools, and cleans a range of parts as they work together. While conventional motor oils were the norm for a long time, you can now use a synthetic product if you prefer. How is a synthetic motor oil different and what are the benefits of using it?
What Are Synthetic Motor Oils?
Standard motor oils are usually made from crude oil. This oil is refined to separate out its parts by weight. This makes it more suitable for use in vehicles. The crude oil becomes more of a mineral oil. It contains fewer contaminants and substances that it doesn't need to do its job.
Synthetic motor oils are modified in a more targeted way. They don't simply work on molecular weight but go through different processes to refine them more effectively. For example, they may be put through additional chemical processes that ensure that all the molecules in the oil are uniform and useful.
What Are the Advantages of Using Synthetic Motor Oils?
Conventional motor oils aren't as pure as synthetic alternatives. They won't necessarily lose all their contaminants in the refining process. Their molecules aren't all up to the job they need to do. So, while standard oils do lubricate, they don't work well in all conditions. They contain substances that affect their performance in certain conditions. For example, an oil might run too thinly when things are hot and too thickly when things are cold. If this happens, then the oil can't lubricate as effectively as you need it to. The parts that it should protect may rub against each other too much. This leads to problems like wear and overheating.
These oils can also degrade relatively quickly if they contain too many contaminants. Substances like oxygen and nitrogen can turn some of the oil to sludge. When this happens, it can't run smoothly and it clogs up moving parts. On the other hand, a synthetic motor oil is much purer. Its molecules don't work against each other to cause problems, they work together. So, this kind of oil keeps its consistency much more effectively. It contains fewer contaminants that might affect its naturally viscous state. So, you should see less wear or damage to your engine. Your oil should work better and last for longer.
To find out more, look for manufacturers and products that specialize in this kind of refining. For example, local AMSOIL synthetic motor lubricant dealers can tell you more about suitable oils for your vehicle.
Share13 July 2020
