Oil is one of the most, if not the most, crucial fluids in your automobile. Over time, the oil your engine relies on will start to degrade and accumulate contaminants, containing debris and moisture. And when the time comes to change your car’s oil, knowing the best type of motor oil for your engine will have lasting benefits for your car’s engine life and performance. Discover the various motor oils and determine which one is best suited for you in this article.
What is Conventional Motor Oil?
Conventional motor oil typically contains no additives and is derived from crude oil, which inherently contains impurities. It will accomplish the basic task of lubricating your engine by lubricating the essential parts of your engine that run at high speeds and providing a barrier against engine wear. Conventional motor oil breaks down quicker than synthetic motor oil and requires more frequent oil changes, and as the oil ages, it leaves carbon deposits in your engine, commonly referred to as “Engine Sludge,” which, over time, if left to build up overtime it can reduce the life of your engine.
What is Synthetic Motor Oil?
Synthetic motor oil is made of chemical compounds that are artificially created by breaking down and rebuilding molecules. This process creates oil with optimal lubrication properties. Synthetic motor oil is usually preferred over conventional oil. It offers improved wear, protection, engine cleanliness, fuel efficiency, and cost efficiency.
Types of Synthetic Oil
Synthetic Blend:
Synthetic blend oil mixes conventional oils with a synthetic base. The synthetic base provides higher performance and protection compared to using conventional oil alone.
Full Synthetic:
Full synthetic oil features a synthetic base stock combined with additives that enhance its performance. Synthetic oil offers a higher level of protection than conventional oil and synthetic blends.
Benefits of Synthetic Motor Oil
Performs well in cold and hot temperatures
Synthetic motor oils are known to be resistant to both high and low temperatures due to a higher viscosity index. Thus, creating flexibility for you to drive in any weather conditions and not having to worry about your oil thickening.
Extends overall engine life
Synthetic oils maintain their lubricating properties longer than conventional oils, as they are more resistant to breaking down, which allows the oil to last longer and extend engine life.
Superior Protection
Although premium synthetic oils may cost a few extra dollars than a conventional blend, they contain higher-quality base oils that are extensively processed for better baseline performance. Most synthetic oils contain a mixture of additives compared to conventional oils.
How Do Conventional And Synthetic Motor Oil Differ?
Synthetic oils utilize the highest quality base oils for enhanced overall protection compared to conventional oils. Most synthetic oils use a blend of different base oils to optimize performance. Synthetic oils are carefully designed for specific engines and offer better performance than conventional oil.
Oil & Filter Changes in Puyallup
Old or contaminated oil will lose much of its lubricative properties, reducing its effectiveness in your motor and leading to potential overheating and damage. Oil may also escape the system through internal or external leaks, depriving your engine of lubrication and leading to similar overheating conditions. So when it comes time for your next oil change, come on down to 15th Street Automotive in Puyallup, WA, for excellent repair and fantastic customer service.