Is Synthetic Oil Worth the Extra Cost?
You get asked at every oil change: Synthetic or conventional? According to Consumer Reports, there is a 70 percent chance you answered “Conventional”. Then, part of your brain wonders if you should have given the other answer.
You may know little more about synthetic motor oil beyond its higher cost and the fact that it is manufactured. Can the manufactured be better than the real thing? Let Rockdale Speedy Lube give you the facts.
Both conventional (or mineral) oil and most synthetic motor oil start as crude oil. However, mineral oil is created in a refinery through separation, conversion, and treatment, while synthetic oil comes out of a lab, broken down to the molecular level and rebuilt as a man-made lubricant consisting of artificially made chemical compounds. Synthetic oils, particularly those known as polyalphaolefins (PAOs), show molecules of nearly identical size and structure under a microscope, compared to the varied shapes and sizes of mineral oil molecules.
Synthetic Oil Advantages
Although synthetic oil was first primarily used for high-performance racing vehicles and jet engines, it has found applications in more mainstream engines over the past few decades, especially with the rise of turbocharged engines. A highly respected study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) has become the gold standard reference for the mineral vs. synthetic debate. Their conclusions are clear:
“Oil protects critical engine components from damage and AAA found that synthetic engine oils performed an average of 47 percent better than conventional oils in a variety of industry-standard tests,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “With its superior resistance to deterioration, AAA’s findings indicate that synthetic oil is particularly beneficial to newer vehicles with turbocharged engines and for vehicles that frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, tow heavy loads, or operate in extreme hot or cold conditions.” Here are some of the specific synthetic oil advantages:
**Greater Engine Protection**: Both high heat and heat over time will cause mineral oil to break down, necessitating regular changes. Fully synthetic oils maintain their integrity under higher heat levels and for longer periods, thus more effectively protecting your engine in harsh or high-load conditions.
Cleaner Engine: All mineral oil contains impurities that, over time, form deposits. These deposits can accumulate debris, forming sludge that reduces the oil’s lubricating and cooling effectiveness. Synthetic oil contains almost no impurities, practically eliminating sludge formation. It is also designed to combine with more additives that have specific engine-cleaning properties.
More Stable Viscosity: Mineral oil is very temperature sensitive, thinning in the heat and thickening in the cold. Synthetic oils maintain their viscosity better as temperatures rise and fall, protecting your engine consistently despite changes in ambient and engine temperature.
Longer Lasting: With greater resistance to temperature changes and a tendency to stay clean, synthetic oil maintains its integrity longer than mineral oil. If you change oil every 3,000 miles, the difference might be negligible. But if you wait until 10,000 miles, synthetics will be performing more effectively at the end of the period. Some synthetic brands tout change intervals as long as 15,000 to 25,000 miles. However, it’s important to have a high-quality oil filter if you wish to extend your miles between changes.
Turbocharger Protection: Turbochargers, powered by hot exhaust flow, become very heated, which challenges the oil trying to cool and lubricate the moving parts. Being more heat resistant, synthetic oil is more effective in protecting turbocharged engines.
Synthetic Oil Disadvantages
Higher Cost: Synthetic oil can cost twice as much as conventional oil. Even with longer durations between oil changes, the overall cost will be higher.
It’s important to dispel the myth that once you have synthetic oil in your engine, you can never go back to mineral oil. This is a complete myth. It is perfectly safe to switch between or mix synthetic and conventional oil at any time. In fact, 70% of new cars leave the dealership with synthetic oil. Mineral/synthetic blends are also available, bridging the gap in effectiveness and cost.
The single-word answer as to whether synthetic oil is better for your engine is: “Yes”. The single-phrase answer is: “Yes, but it will cost more”. Many of the advantages of synthetic oil help your engine last longer. If you plan to keep your vehicle for a long time, possibly passing it down through the family, synthetic oil is a good first step towards that goal.
If you don’t plan on keeping your vehicle for 4-5 years, it may not be worth it, though it could be a point of interest on your maintenance records at resale. If you still have questions regarding synthetic oil, our Rockdale Speedy Lube service professionals are here to help.
And remember, new residents can enjoy a free oil change at Rockdale Speedy Lube!
Use this link to get your free oil change: https://www.rockdalespeedylube.com/blank
Opening Hours:MONDAY - FRIDAY: 8 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAY: 8 AM - 5 PM
SUNDAY: Closed
512-446-3993
1205 West Cameron Ave.
Rockdale, TX 76567
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