Is Synthetic Oil Change A Good Idea?

Every motorist most likely knows how important an oil change is for the
wellbeing of his or her car. Most individuals have been taught from an
early age that if you regularly perform this one automotive task, your
vehicle will last years longer. Oil is like the lifeblood of a vehicle.
If it’s clean and filled up to the proper amount, the machinery will run
like a charm. If it runs low or gets dirty, this can create havoc
within the mechanical systems. Imagine not having enough blood in your
body or having it clogged up with crud. This actually does happen when
humans eat too many foods that contain saturated fats; it clogs the
works and a heart attack occurs. The equivalent in a car is a blown
engine, thrown rod or an early burial in the junkyard. There are now
synthetic and non-synthetic lubricants on the market and many drivers
are wondering which is preferable for their car. Here are some things to
think about:

- Synthetics are replacing non-synthetics: If you go to your local auto
supply store, you’ll notice more synthetic products being sold. If a
customer inquires about the pros and cons of each, he or she may get
conflicting answers:

- Artificial lubricant: These products are similar to petroleum but
contain manmade artificial components. These have different qualities
from crude oil’s raw natural ones, and it might affect your oil change.

- Early products ineffective: The early artificial lubricants had
swelling qualities that were different from natural products. These
early types caused leaking because seals shrank and a proper fit
disappeared due to the shrinkage. This difficulty has been resolved and
shouldn’t occur with today’s products.

- Mixing types: There are differing opinions on whether it’s acceptable
to go back and forth between artificial and natural products. This would
be a discussion a motorist may want to have with his or her mechanic.

- Semi-synthetic: There are lubricants on the market today that are a
blend of natural and artificial. These are known as semi-synthetics and
usually have a ratio of 70% mineral to 30% manmade.

- Pros: The artificial products are reported to evaporate less, promote
longer engine life, work better in extreme temperatures, improve fuel
efficiency, and be more environmentally friendly because they don’t have
to be changed as often.

- Cons: They are not recommended for rotary engines, they may break down
certain types of plastic components, and some erratic decomposition has
been noted in certain situations.

Whether a person should use synthetic or non-synthetic lubricants in his
or her vehicle is still debated. Sometimes this will depend on the
brand and model of the car, the climate it’s driven in, how old it is
and what the history of oil change products has been. A wise consumer
will research all of the options and discuss it with his or her most
trustworthy mechanic. One fact that no one quibbles over is whether this
car maintenance task is necessary. Lubricants are the lifeblood of a
vehicle. Keeping them clean and filled up will ensure more road time for
the vehicle.