Synthetic Motor Oil Advantages
Synthetic motor oil originally was developed as a lubrication alternative for high-performance racing engines. In recent decades, synthetic motor oil has become a common option for car owners and mechanics. In many ways, synthetic oil is similar to traditional petroleum-based motor oils, and the two can be used interchangeably in most applications. However, synthetic oil offers certain advantages that make it the preferred choice in some situations.
Synthetic Oil Duration
One of the major advantages of synthetic oil over traditional motor oil is its greater lifespan. In most types of engines and under any driving conditions, synthetic oil has less frequent recommended change intervals than traditional motor oil under similar circumstances. Mobil, maker of some of the first synthetic oils for passenger cars, originally recommended change intervals of as much as 25,000 miles. This figure was soon revised, but even a standard change interval of 7,500 is much greater than 3,000 miles for traditional motor oils. This is because synthetic motor oil is both slower to decompose chemically and less susceptible to evaporation over time. However, it is still likely to become contaminated eventually, and a regular service schedule should still be observed, even if engine oil level readings are normal.
Chemical Composition
The composition of synthetic motor oil is also superior to that of traditional motor oil. Because its components are produced under controlled conditions rather than through a natural process, synthetic oil is free of the impurities that comprise a large percentage of the volume of most traditional motor oils. Substances like phosphorus and sulfur are general contributors to engine wear. They also harm other parts of a vehicle, such as the catalytic converter and the rest of the exhaust system. By being both more chemically stable under changing conditions and containing fewer undesirable additives, synthetic oil causes fewer problems; those that it does cause can be more easily solved through refined engine design and chemical engineering of the oil itself.
Other Advantages
Synthetic oil offers a number of additional advantages. Synthetic oil does not lose its ability to flow well in cold weather, so it is preferred for cars driven in cold climates. Synthetic oils also perform better and more consistently at high temperatures, and so are frequently recommended for high-performance engines. Their chemical stability makes them less prone to long-term changes in viscosity due to temperature or contamination.
The net result of all of these advantages is superior lubrication of the engine. This can result in longer engine life, better fuel efficiency and smoother operation.
Environmental Benefits
As with most products traditionally made from oil, motor oil is a subject of ongoing environmental debates. The rising price of crude oil has a direct effect on the price of motor oil, and oil's natural scarcity (and its status as a non-renewable resource) indicate that it is unlikely for this trend to ever be reversed. Demand for petroleum products leads to increased drilling, which is harmful to the environment. Synthetic oil is immune to this process, so many environmentalist groups advocate its use.
Disposal of motor oil is another concern. Even though a large percentage of motor oil is refined and reused, either as new motor oil or as an industrial lubricant, the recycling process itself consumes much energy. Synthetic oil, which typically lasts longer before needing to be changed, puts less strain on the system by which oil can be recycled.
Disadvantages
Synthetic motor oil has some disadvantages compared to petroleum-derived motor oil. Chemical compounds that comprise certain types of synthetic oil may break down over time, leading to unintended discharge into the environment. Also, synthetic oil is not suitable for new engines, due to its low friction. This is important for drivers who wish to use synthetic oil on a new car with an engine that according to manufacturer specifications must be broken in. In cases such as these, the driver should change to synthetic oil only after the vehicle has been broken in using traditional motor oil.
Synthetic oil is more costly than petroleum-based motor oil, although this cost is generally offset by its longer lifespan. Also, the price of synthetic oil is likely to fall as new methods for its production are created, whereas the price of traditional oil likely will rise, along with the commodity price of crude oil.
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