Owners of high-performance automobiles are accustomed to using engine lubricants able to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations without losing effectiveness. These are not simply highly refined crude oil mixtures, but are made from other forms of hydrocarbon and organic compounds. Most drivers are aware that there is a difference between the two product types, but do not really know when or whether to buy synthetic oil.
When the German war effort was in danger of losing its oil supplies during World War II, a substitute was hastily developed to keep the machines moving. Human conflicts often speed the development of technology, and these products are one example of an unintended but positive outcome. Over seventy years later the same basic manufacturing principles are used to make a variety of lubricants, from pure synthetics to blended products.
Even though supplies are still comparatively abundant, the price of crude is high due to increased world demand. As is often the case, improving on nature has proven somewhat expensive, and using synthetics in a routine oil change costs about twice as much. This added expense raises consumer eyebrows in a time when middle-class income is barely growing, and the price of gasoline rarely if ever decreases.
Because these products are not made from crude oil from the ground, some people assume that they are also less harmful environmentally. In reality, the chemicals used to create these lubricants are not people-friendly, and their air-quality impact is also measurable. In spite the added manufacturing expense and virtually no real decrease in pollution, auto manufacturers increasingly recommend them as a better way to maintain a vehicle.
In the early days, advertising campaigns for these products stressed questionable claims regarding additives and performance. While that did little to curry public favor, the fact remains that the agencies were actually correct in their overall assessments. Because important internal atomic structures are modified during the manufacturing process, individual molecules become nearly equal in size, creating a superior lubricant.
These artificial lubricants greatly reduce friction, which is an excellent way to increase overall horsepower while cutting down on general wear. More efficient operation can also decrease the volume of gasoline burned, while extending the useful life of the vehicle. Synthetics are able to flow more freely in the cold of winter, and react equally as well under extremely high temperatures and engine stress.
The recommended mileage between oil changes is twice that of standard products, mainly because it has a greater resistance to the oxidation process and the type of thermal degradation that can turn engine lubricants into sludge. These products also often contain cleaning additives to help maintain viscosity, and resist damaging acids. Synthetics are necessary for engines with extremely tight tolerances.
Even when not specifically necessary, using these products can help a vehicle run better and longer. While it is advisable to heed the advice of the manufacturer regarding oil use, mixing synthetic and standard products will not cause damage to most engines. Having a cleaner running vehicle benefits everyone, and until the time comes when hydrocarbon-based lubricants are no longer needed, synthetics are an excellent choice.
When the German war effort was in danger of losing its oil supplies during World War II, a substitute was hastily developed to keep the machines moving. Human conflicts often speed the development of technology, and these products are one example of an unintended but positive outcome. Over seventy years later the same basic manufacturing principles are used to make a variety of lubricants, from pure synthetics to blended products.
Even though supplies are still comparatively abundant, the price of crude is high due to increased world demand. As is often the case, improving on nature has proven somewhat expensive, and using synthetics in a routine oil change costs about twice as much. This added expense raises consumer eyebrows in a time when middle-class income is barely growing, and the price of gasoline rarely if ever decreases.
Because these products are not made from crude oil from the ground, some people assume that they are also less harmful environmentally. In reality, the chemicals used to create these lubricants are not people-friendly, and their air-quality impact is also measurable. In spite the added manufacturing expense and virtually no real decrease in pollution, auto manufacturers increasingly recommend them as a better way to maintain a vehicle.
In the early days, advertising campaigns for these products stressed questionable claims regarding additives and performance. While that did little to curry public favor, the fact remains that the agencies were actually correct in their overall assessments. Because important internal atomic structures are modified during the manufacturing process, individual molecules become nearly equal in size, creating a superior lubricant.
These artificial lubricants greatly reduce friction, which is an excellent way to increase overall horsepower while cutting down on general wear. More efficient operation can also decrease the volume of gasoline burned, while extending the useful life of the vehicle. Synthetics are able to flow more freely in the cold of winter, and react equally as well under extremely high temperatures and engine stress.
The recommended mileage between oil changes is twice that of standard products, mainly because it has a greater resistance to the oxidation process and the type of thermal degradation that can turn engine lubricants into sludge. These products also often contain cleaning additives to help maintain viscosity, and resist damaging acids. Synthetics are necessary for engines with extremely tight tolerances.
Even when not specifically necessary, using these products can help a vehicle run better and longer. While it is advisable to heed the advice of the manufacturer regarding oil use, mixing synthetic and standard products will not cause damage to most engines. Having a cleaner running vehicle benefits everyone, and until the time comes when hydrocarbon-based lubricants are no longer needed, synthetics are an excellent choice.
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