Saturday, 9 August 2014

The Pros And Cons Of Fully Synthetic Motor Oil

By Annabelle Holman


Engine lubricant is something that many people consider to be a consumable, much like gasoline. The truth is, fully synthetic motor oil is more of a car part than something that gets used up. The level goes down over time because oil burns and leaks, but if it is regularly changed, the level is more or less constant. Using the incorrect engine lubricant for your vehicle can be extremely costly. This applies whether you have a middle-aged banger or a delicate sports car.

Many vehicles can survive on run-of-the-mill mineral oil. Prepared from refined crude, it is the least expensive of the engine lubricant options. It works perfectly well in your everyday motor vehicles. The next most expensive lube is a synthetic blend. These are manufactured in a laboratory and designed specifically for high performance motors, as well as those that are getting a little bit long in the tooth.

Then there are the totally synthetic lubes. These are caviar for the prima donnas of motoring, your Corvette Sting-Ray and others of that ilk. They have a price tag to match. One reason for choosing these types of oils is because of their high longevity.

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.

Another reason to upgrade your automobile's lubricant is to prolong the time interval in between oil changes. Not only does this save you money in the long term on replacement oil filters and motor oil itself, it makes your life a lot easier if you perform your own vehicle maintenance.

There is a bit of an old wives tale going around about manufactured lubricants; this is the notion that they cannot be mixed with the real thing. Not true. The two types of lubricant are perfectly compatible at whatever ratio and in old cars as well as new. You can even swap back and forth from one type to another. It isn't the same thing as diesel versus unleaded gasoline, where making a mistake can be costly and embarrassing.

There is one particular word of warning when considering using artificial lubricants. If you are going to go for it, go for the best. Sometimes manufacturers add junk to the mixture, which contains harmful additives. Your engine would be better off with a cheap mineral oil than if you skimp on the good stuff.

Different types of car require different types of oil. If you are in any doubt about which type you should get for your own vehicle, check with the manufacturer. An artificial lubricant can extend the useful life of a car with more than 100,000 miles on the clock. Prima donna performance cars also prefer the expensive stuff. Remember not to scrimp on the synthetic lubricant or you could be doing your vehicle a disservice.




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