When to Choose a Synthetic Lubricant
“What is best way to make these choices?”
- Benefits Of Synthetic Oils.
- Reduced friction/heat
- Engine wear
- Lubricant breakdowns
- Lubricant change intervals can all lead to lower costs for repairs and even better gas mileage in some cases.
- When to choose an expensive synthetic oil over a lower priced mineral oil, the truth is that it depends on the way the engine is used and how many miles it has.
- Synthetic oils may not be ideal for a vehicle that has very high mileage (engine hours) and has only used mineral base oils during its lifespan.
- The oil’s natural detergent action could wash off varnish and other soot deposits that are sometimes left behind with certain mineral oils.
- This action of cleaning deposits off cylinder walls not only can cause the engine to use more oil but also can reduce cylinder wall thickness and allow small amounts of oil to bypass the piston rings and burn up in the cylinder head.
- Older cars:
- Synthetic oils can even affect the seals or elastomers.
- Causing them to shrink and leak.
- Synthetic oils are a wise choice for vehicles and engines that experience frequent stops and starts.
- Operate in extreme heat and cold , or
- Have extended lengths of service between oil change.
7. If you were to buy a new vehicle :
- Consider using a high-quality synthetic oil from the start.
- Make a big difference in the life of the engine, especially if you use the oil in conjunction with a high-grade, low-micron filter.
8. So while synthetic oil does not always make sense, when it does, there can be significant cost savings in the long run.
Source from Machinery Lubrication