Posts tagged synthetic lubricants

Better Fuel Economy
As gasoline and diesel prices keep rising, putting a major strain on businesses that rely on vehicles and heavy equipment in their daily operations, fuel economy is becomes increasingly important with each passing year. Synthetic lubricants improve fuel economy by allowing moving parts to move more freely, creating less friction, thereby, using less energy when compared to conventional lubricants. The use of synthetic motor oil, gear lubes and transmission fluids can have a profound impact on fuel economy. Industry tests demonstrate an average conservative decrease in fuel consumption by two to five percent by switching to synthetic lubricants. Many AMSOIL customers report even larger gains in fuel economy.

What makes synthetic oil superior to conventional oil?

All motor oils are made up of base oils and performance additives. The base oils used in synthetic motor oils are of much higher quality than those used in conventional motor oils and are chemically converted to provide consistent and predictably superior performance. Synthetic oils are engineered with specialized performance additives to provide superior protection in extreme driving conditions and to help fight off deposit formation created by the damaging by-products of fuel combustion such as water, acid, wear, metals and dirt.

Fully synthetic motor oils contain non-conventional, high-performance fluids and a system of additives to help prevent wear, keep an engine clean, flow easily, maintain viscosity, prevent rust and reduce friction. The result is a lubricant that remains liquid and slippery under the widest possible range of temperatures and engine conditions. Synthetic formulas can be engineered to meet tough performance targets, as well as wider grade ranges, that can’t be delivered with conventional motor oils. There are also synthetic blend motor oils, which are a blend of synthetic oils and conventional mineral oils.

The reason for synthetic oil’s increased resilience stems from its uniform molecular structure. Conventional base oil is composed of several sizes and shapes of hydrocarbon molecules. This variation brings with it a range of evaporation, oxygenation, and burn points. Included in the mixture are some comparatively unstable molecules, some of which break down very soon after the conventional oil is poured into your car. This forces the remaining oil to work harder.

When compared with conventional oil, synthetics offer increased performance in these areas. Synthetic oil is virtually free from contaminants as opposed to refined petroleum oil, which may include contaminants such as sulphur. Synthetic oils also generally include higher quality additives for improved performance and greater resistance to consumption versus their conventional oil alternatives

Conventional oils lack the performance of synthetic oils in the areas of low-temperature performance and high-temperature oxidation stability. Conventional motor oil is made up of an inconsistent mixture of long and short chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms. In the extreme heat of an engine, short-chain molecules can evaporate, and unstable molecules can oxidize and break down. Conventional oils also contain much greater amounts of impurities, such as sulfur, reactive and unstable hydrocarbons, and other undesirable contaminants that cannot be completely removed by conventional refining of crude oil.

Synthetic motor oils – such as Mobil 1, AMSOIL, Quaker State Ultimate Durability, Pennzoil Platinum – contain more highly refined base oils than those used in conventional mineral oils, which can offer you better protection and performance. Synthetic oils provide a variety of benefits, such as excellent high- and low-temperature performance, that can provide excellent engine protection. While it is possible to extend oil life past manufacturer’s specifications with careful monitoring, oil filter life will not be extended beyond a maximum of 25,000 miles based on the filter manufacturer’s specifications.

Automakers have begun recommending synthetic oils in their cars. Mercedes, Ford and BMW are just a few of that recognize the benefits of using this synthetic lubrication.

You should follow the same environmentally sound procedures for disposal of synthetics that you do with conventional motor oil.

“Video on Synthetic Oil Basics”