Anyone who grew up with cars is likely to remember many debates between synthetic and conventional oil proponents. Although this argument still rages in some circles, synthetic lubricants have unquestionably won the day. Most manufacturers now recommend only synthetic oil for their cars, and it's the standard option found on many store shelves.
In most cases, selecting a synthetic oil is the right choice. If you aren't yet convinced, then here are three reasons why synthetic oil can benefit nearly any car.
1. Beneficial Additives
You may want to avoid extra additives when buying food, but they are entirely beneficial for your car's oil. Although your car's oil does not permanently wear out, it can break down and lose its ability to lubricate over time. The constant heating and cooling cycles that oil experiences inside your engine can hasten this process.
The additives used by synthetic oil manufacturers help to combat oil breakdown by increasing its temperature tolerance. Some manufacturers also use detergent additives that can help prevent build-up on your motor's internal parts. Beneficial additives such as these can reduce wear on your engine and ultimately help your car to last longer.
2. Longer Change Intervals
Slowing the oil breakdown process benefits both your engine and your wallet. Although synthetic oils still tend to be more expensive than their conventional counterparts, they can last for much longer. The long life of many modern synthetics is the reason that so many vehicle manufacturers are now recommending much longer oil change intervals.
As with most maintenance tasks on your car, always adhere to your manufacturer's recommendations for oil change intervals. In most cases, however, these recommendations will now include 7,500-mile or even 10,000-mile (and higher!) oil changer intervals when using the correct synthetic oil.
3. More Effective Cold Weather Protection
Let's face it: nobody likes getting out of bed on a cold morning, and that includes your car. Cold starts can be rough on your engine's internal components since oil viscosity tends to be higher in frigid weather. Most modern vehicles now recommend oils with a lower cold-weather viscosity (the number before the ''W") to ensure adequate lubrication on cold starts.
Just as synthetic oil offers better high-temperature protection, it also holds up better to cold weather. When it's especially cold outside, synthetic oils can better protect your internal engine components by maintaining their lower viscosity. Ultimately, this means that cold weather starts will produce less wear on your motor and help your car to age gracefully into its high mileage future.
If you are interested in synthetic oil, talk to a supplier, such as an AMSOIL synthetic lubricant dealer.
