subject: Everything You Need To Know About Synthetic Oils [print this page] Synthetic oil is simply manufactured lubricants that are designed with various properties. They are constructed in a laboratory that uses chemical additives to produce uniformed molecular combination. If all goes well then it can enhance engine performance and be more efficient than petroleum and mineral based oils.
You can go as far back to the 18th and early 19th century in regards to the history of synthetic oils. It was then that two huge companies in the industry made a monumental discover. Both developed their own lubricant design to help with automobile engines. Fast forward about 20 years and others had begun to synthesize their own oils and release them to the market.
The three major industries you find synthetic oil today is; automobile, aviation, and aerospace. Due to the huge advancements in our technology, chemical additives have become strong enough to create high performance lubricants.
In the beginning, synthetic oil was built to solve issues that were associated with petroleum and mineral based oils. Each one of the ingredients is screened extensively, which ensures that the product will not be contaminated.
Synthetic lubricants have a number of advantages over petroleum and mineral based oils. The first benefit is that synthetic oils are used for a longer period before replacement becomes necessary. It is used for longer drain intervals because its uniform molecular structure gives it better heat control, thus reducing friction within the engine. Standard motor vehicle practice dictates that petroleum based engine oil is changed after every 3,000 miles. However, engines using synthetic oils cover a distance of 10,000 miles before oil replacement becomes necessary. This efficiency translates to reduced operational costs and higher profits for business.
You also have to consider the wear and tear that can occur to any engine. When using synthetic oil it gives you the opportunity to reduce heat on the engine. If you take the alternative route (petroleum and mineral based oils), the engine is much hotter and puts stress on it. This can easily turn into problems and repairs that cost tons of money to fix.
Another benefit you get from the use of synthetic oil is it's not affected by colder weather. Since paraffin is present in mineral oil, it doesn't offer the same advantages. This causes it to condense under low temperatures, but this doesn't occur in synthetic options. What it comes down to is you alleviate a lot of wear and tear on your vehicle's engine.
Synthetic oil has strong thermal and oxidative properties that ensure the engine remains impressively clean. Petroleum oil on the other hand is inefficient and leaves the engine covered with sludge and varnish deposits. The operating performance of the engine is thus diminished making it necessary to undertake continuous repairs to keep it in working order.
Synthetic oils were developed with the aim of addressing shortcomings related to use of petroleum oil products. Over time, synthetic oil has proved much more efficient than petroleum oil. It has served to make machines more productive by optimizing their performance.
