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mardi 5 août 2014

A Risk Benefit Analysis 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.

A lot of cars run perfectly happily on garden variety mineral oil, the lowest grade of engine lubricant. This is derived from crude oil that has been through a refining process. At a slightly higher tier are the synthetic blends. These are made in a lab and tend to be designed specifically with the high-performance motor in mind. They can also coddle an engine that is getting delicate as it approaches retirement age.

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 factors (no pun intended) behind the use of high-grade synthetics over garden variety mineral oils? One of the main benefits of synthetic lubricant is its improved flow characteristics, especially at low temperatures. This feature is particularly useful when starting the engine, when most wear takes place.

Synthetic oils can extend the length of the time span in between oil changes. If you tend to do your own work, this alone can make it worth the extra expense. Over time, it obviously saves you money on oil and filters.

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 engines need different engine oils. If you are a bit unsure or have any questions about what to put in your vehicle, the Internet is a good place to educate yourself. Check the manufacturer's website. Mooch around the forums to see what people are saying about the different products.




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