Is Synthetic Oil Best For Your Vehicle?
Traditional motor oil is made of petroleum while synthetic motor oil is made of chemical compounds that are synthesized or produced artificially from other compounds. Synthetic oil is used to replace standard motor oil for a few reasons. Synthetic oil provides superior protection in a larger range of temperatures, it is more cost effective over time, and it does not require crude oil for production.
One of the advantages of synthetic oil is that it is more resistant to heat and deterioration than traditional oil. Because it is produced artificially, the properties of synthetic oil can be produced to exceed traditional oil in overall performance. Synthetic oil was originally developed for industrial engines that operated at higher temperature than normal engines because people needed oil that was capable of withstanding higher levels of heat than traditional oil would be able to function at without burning.
Although synthetic oil was produced to function at hotter than normal temperatures, it also performs well in colder than normal temperatures as well. In extreme cold normal oil can solidify making it hard to start an engine and even causing damage in some cases. Synthetic oil is less vulnerable to both hot and cold temperature, flowing and protecting engines much easier at a larger range of temperatures.
The price of synthetic oil is what prevents many consumers from using it in their vehicles regularly. Because of the complex synthesizing process used to create synthetic oil it is more expensive than traditional oil by twice as much or more. However, because synthetic oil is designed to be more durable than traditional oil drivers do not have to perform oil changes as often with synthetic oil which can end up saving them money in the long run.
For many people traditional oil works fine to protect their vehicle provided it is changed at the recommended interval. Synthetic oil will extend the oil change interval in any engine and provide better protection in a larger range of climates. Synthetic oil is best for use in vehicles that need special considerations such as race cars, trucks that haul heavy loads, cars that operate in very hot or cold temperatures, and any vehicle that requires extended engine life.
There are many reasons why synthetic oil is best, and initial price aside it usually saves consumers money while giving their engines longer life and better performance. If you want to go longer between oil changes and give your vehicle’s engine the best protection possible choose synthetic oil.
