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.