Thursday, July 11, 2013

Synthetic oil: To use or not to use

I mentioned in my emergency home generator review of the DuroStar DS4000S that some owners recommended using synthetic oil because it makes the engine run better.

That got me thinking, is synthetic oil really all that great?  I admit, I know nothing about it, so I did a bit of research.  I wanted to know exactly what it is, what guys think about it, and why it’s better.

Here’s what I found on a Ford forum:

1)  The subject of synthetic oils is a touchy one.  One guy said if you say anything positive about it, those against it will “throw stones at you until you’re not breathing anymore.”

2)  Another guy likes the “thermal stability and wide temperature range.  They work well in –35 to 100 degrees.”

3)  A lot of guys like doing their own experiments.  How well does it run in hot and cold weather?  Does it improve fuel mileage?  Does it need changed more often then regular oil?  What’s it’s effect on my engine in general?

I also came across this really great article by Joe’s Slinger Service in Wisconsin.  Joe covers:

1)  What it is.

2)  What Mobil Oil says about it.

3)  Whether you should use it or not.

4)  Does it work better in some cars than others.

5)  Pros and cons

6)  Does it make your engine last longer.

It’s a great read and very much worth checking out if you’re like me and really don’t know much about it.

Read here: What is Synthetic Oil? | Joe's Slinger Service from Oils:

Synthetic oil is a lubricant consisting of chemical compounds that are artificially made (synthesized). Synthetic lubricants can be manufactured using chemically modified petroleum components rather than whole crude oil, but ...

 


Here’s another couple really good short posts on the subject:

Check this post out Synthetic Oil For Seaside Autos « Sullivan's Tire Pros :

Synthetic oil doesn't gel or gum-up like petroleum based oil and it doesn't vaporize as easily. ... More and more new vehicles are being delivered with full synthetic motor oil; with the recommendation to use synthetic for the life of the vehicle.

Check this post out: Natural vs. Synthetic Oil; Which One Is Better For Your Vehicle ... - Blog:

This is unfortunate, because oil is every bit as vital as fuel to a properly functioning automobile. One step many car owners are taking to save money is to use synthetic oil instead of natural blends. But are synthetics worth their ...

 

 


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