Full Synthetic Vs Synthetic Blend
Full synthetic oils are better understood as a grade of motor oil. Semi-refined–also called synthetic blend–oils are less refined than full synthetic oil. Semi-synthetic oil blends traditional oil with the more technologically advanced oils. You get the advantage of additives and more refinement. But, the impurities and inconsistent molecular size of conventional motor oil are still in the blend at lower degrees.;
The benefit of synthetic blends is largely a cost-vs-benefit decision. Synthetic blends are cheaper than full synthetic motor oil but higher performance than conventional oil.;
Difference In Regular And Synthetic Oil
Both conventional and synthetic motor oils are derived from petroleum, but they can be very different products. Conventional oil is refined from crude oil. It circulates through the engine to keep it cool and prevent wear by acting as a lubricant. It helps prevent corrosion, keeps surfaces clean, and seals the engine. Synthetic oil serves the same purpose, but it’s tailored for higher temperature and pressure.
Synthetic oil is also refined, but then it’s distilled and purified so that it contains fewer impurities and a smaller, select set of molecules. Synthetic oil also contains additives intended to help keep an engine cleaner and protect it from damage.
The main difference between regular and synthetic oil is the temperature at which it undergoes thermal degradation. In a high-performance engine, regular oil is more apt to pick up deposits and form sludge.
Cars that run hot do better with synthetic oil. For most automobiles, the only real difference you’ll see is that synthetic costs more initially but lasts longer between oil changes.
Is Synthetic Oil Safe In Vehicles
In the past, warnings were given about switching to synthetic oil because it could harm the engine. The reason for this was that many synthetic oils contained esters, which are organic compounds mixed with alcohol. This combination was often hard on seals in the engine, and would cause them to wear down and start to leak.
Synthetic oil technology has improved over the years, and most cars on the road today should be able to use either synthetic or regular oil, so long as the proper weight is used. In fact, some new cars require synthetic oil. However, one exception is with older vehicles, especially those with high mileage. The seals in those engines may not be able to handle the additives in synthetic oil. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to switch to synthetic in an older car.
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What Happens When You Mix Different Oil Brands
While it is not recommended to mix various brands of motor oil , it will not cause any damage to your engine. What is far more important is to stick with the same oil viscosity as recommended by the car manufacturer.
So there you go, this is what happens when you use the wrong motor oil in your engine.
If you are still uncertain about what type of motor oil you should use, consult your owners manual. Your car manufacturer is perhaps the best source of information to identify the best motor oil type for your car.
Benefits Of Switching To Synthetic Oil
Some people may argue that cars manufactured before 1990 were built to run on conventional oil. Theyre right, but conventional oil isnt always the best option for fuel efficiency and engine protection. In fact, synthetic oil was developed to solve some problems created or neglected by conventional oil.
Compared to conventional oil, synthetic oil:
- Lasts longer: You can go 5,000-10,000 miles between oil changes with synthetic oil.
- Performs better in extreme temperatures: It flows better in cold weather. It also doesnt break down or evaporate in hot weather or under trying conditions .
- Helps clear out sludge in the engine: While some conventional oils are formulated to do this too, its a more common feature in synthetic oil.
- Maximizes fuel economy: Synthetic oil is known to boost fuel economy by 2% or 3%.
Basically, synthetic oil prolongs your trucks life, performs much better in abnormal situations, and is more versatile than conventional oil.
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Aloha Auto Repair & Wash Is Your Trusted Mechanic Shop In Allen Texas
Regular oil changes are the single most important part of vehicle maintenance; they can save you money and add more years to the life of your car as well. Come to Aloha Auto Repair& Wash for an oil change to help protect your engine and improve the environment by reducing the carbon put into the air from worn, sludgy oil. We can help guide you through the process of picking the best oil type, so your car runs smoothly for years to come.
What Are The Benefits Of Using It
Although conventional oil ruled the roost for many years within the automotive industry, synthetic oil has had a sudden surge in popularity over time, and its not hard to see why. Synthetic oil can provide most vehicles with more benefits than conventional oil can. As soon as people put synthetic oil into their vehicles, it doesnt take them long to experience most of the benefits.
Here aresome of the benefits that come along with using synthetic oil over conventional oil:
- It handles temperature changes better than conventional oil does
- It lubricates the various parts in an engine more effectively than conventional oil does
- It removes dirt and debris from an engine quicker than conventional oil does
- It often lasts longer than conventional oil does and prevents the need for oil changes every three months
After hearing about these benefits, you might be even more interested in switching to synthetic oil in a high-mileage engine than you were before. It seems like synthetic oil is the slam-dunk choice for any vehicle really. But you should also think about synthetic oil from other angles prior to making the switch to it.
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Is It Safe To Put Synthetic Oil In My Older Gm Truck
It’s long been rumored that switching to synthetic oil in an older truck will damage its engine. Is it true? Not anymore.
When synthetic oil was introduced about 50 years ago, it contained esters that later proved to wear down the seals in old engines and cause leaks. The masterminds behind synthetic oil addressed this issue by figuring out how to produce effective synthetic oil without needing esters. As a result, we no longer have to worry about synthetic oil damaging older engines.
However, its worth mentioning that switching to synthetic oil may lead to quicker oil consumption. Due to the smaller and more uniform size of the molecules, synthetic oil is more likely than conventional oil to slip through the rings and cylinder wall. This isnt a big issue, though. You just have to watch the oil levels and consumption rate more closely.
Use Synthetic Oil If You
1. Idle your truck a lot. Your engine needs air flow to stay cool. When you idle your truck a lot, even in stop and go traffic, your engine isnt getting enough air flow and may overheat. Unlike conventional oil, synthetic oil helps alleviate this problem.
2. Live in a desert, high altitude environment, or cold area. All three environments have conditions such as hot weather, thin air, and freezing temperatures that lead to either an overheated engine or decreased oil flow. Due to its versatile nature, synthetic oil is better equipped to perform optimally in these conditions.
3. Use your truck for anything other than regular day-to-day driving. For example, off-roading, racing, or even towing. Any kind of non-normal driving on a regular basis puts a strain on your engine, and synthetic oil is designed to protect it from long-term damage.
4. Wait more than 6 months between oil changes. Synthetic oil lasts much longer than conventional oil. If you drive your truck daily, the resiliency of synthetic oil makes it safe to push a few thousand miles past your suggested oil change mileage. Even if you drive only occasionally, its still a good idea to use synthetic oil because conventional oil will start to break down much earlier, even when not in use.
If you drive your older GM truck, such as this 80s-era Chevy S-10, in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, synthetic oil is the better option. Photo credit: IFCAR
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Safely Changing Your Vehicle From Mineral To Synthetic Oil
Oh no! I put synthetic oil in my engine and now my car exploded, are words the average driver does not want to be in a position to utter. As a result, many drivers staunchly swear by using standard mineral oil in their rides, believing that a switch to synthetic could have some detrimental effect . Some have heard that switching from mineral to synthetic oil could cause an unpleasant shock to their vehicles system.
Are the fears of these drivers justified? Is it safe tostart using synthetic oil in your vehicle if you havent done so before?
Yes, its perfectly fine to switch from mineral oil tosynthetic oil in your vehicle; there wont be any detrimentaleffects on your engine. In fact, experts say that even mixing and matchingdifferent oils is fine, using blended oil is fine, and using multiple oils fromdifferent manufacturers is fine; just ensure that the oils are the same weight.
If you drive a modern car, the rule to follow is thatmineral oil is good, blended oils are better, and synthetic oil is best. Ifyoure driving a 30-year-old machine, using a better oil isnt going to hurt,but its not to going to cause much improvement either.
Can I Use Chainsaw Oil In My Lawn Mower
Nope. Chainsaw oil is often petroleum based, so its stickier than regular motor oil, in order to better cling to the chain and keep it lubricated. You could glue up your engine terribly if you put it in your mower, so be sure you dont use it.
This all might be a bit overwhelming, but remember that you can always consult your owners manual if youre not sure about the oil youre about to use. Just remember that in general, car oil tends to change in viscosity based on what temperature its currently operating in, so you need to keep that in mind should you decide to swap mower oil for car oil. Be sure to check the grade before you make the substitute!
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Motor Oil & Other Product Faq
Whether you have questions pertaining to motor oil performance, synthetic oils or how to recycle your used oil, you can get the answers youre looking for below. First, narrow the options down by choosing the closest-related category to your question.
Oil Types, Weights & Viscosity FAQ
Is it ok to switch motor oil weights, for example, from a 5W-20 to a 10W-30?
It depends. Some vehicle manufacturers provide a range of recommended motor oil viscosity grades based on the outside temperature in which the car is driven. Other manufacturers recommend the use of only one motor oil viscosity grade. For best engine performance, always follow the manufacturers recommendations found in your vehicles owners manual.
Is it ok to use 5W-30 in a car if the owners manual calls for 5W-20?
Valvoline does not recommend doing this. Using a heavier grade than recommended may cause decrease in fuel economy, higher engine loads and eventually shortened engine life. Using a lighter grade than recommended may result in excessive mechanical wear and reduced engine life. For maximum engine performance, follow the recommended motor oil viscosity and maintenance schedule provided in your vehicles owners manual.
What does the w in a grade of motor oil stand for?
Is thicker oil better?
When does it make sense to use straight weight oil versus a multigrade oil ?
Is switching types of motor oil harmful to my vehicles engine?
Is it true that older cars must only use conventional oil?
So What Are The Different Types Of Oil
As there are a many different types of engines, there are also different types of oils to suit these engines. The oil companies and car manufacturers collaborate to agree on the performance specifications of oil.
The different types of engine oil are:
- Fully synthetic premium oil for high performance vehicles
- Synthetic blend blended premium synthetic with conventional oil
- Conventional oil the most common type of oil used and the most cost effective for motorists.
Oil is measured by its resistance to flow. This is known as viscosity. The oil viscosity is graded and given the number and letter combinations we see on bottles of oil i.e. 5W-30 etc. The higher the viscosity, the more resistant the oil is to flowing around the engine.
So an engine oil that is graded 10W-30 will flow more slowly that oil that is graded 5W-30 at the engines start-up temperature.
- 10W = The number is the viscosity/thickness at colder temperatures and the W stands for winter.
- 30 = How thick the oil is at the engines normal operating temperature.
Engine oils thin out as they are heated up and thicken again as they cool back down.
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What Happens If You Use The Wrong Motor Oil In Your Engine
by Aloha Auto Repair | Jun 2, 2020 | Auto Repair | damageOil
We spend a great deal of money on our cars, so it is very important and more economical in the long run to take good care of your car. In addition to routine servicing, choosing the right motor oil during an oil change is the most important thing you can do to prolong your cars life and make your driving more enjoyable and safe.
Motor oil is, effectively, the heart and soul of your car engine it is what keeps your car functioning smoothly. How motor oil works is pretty simple: it protects your cars engine by preventing or reducing heat and friction by acting as a lubricant.
Considering the importance of motor oil, it is pretty obvious that you should use the car manufacturers recommended oil type when it is time for an oil change. But what happens if you put the wrong motor oil in your engine? In todays blog, we are going to take a look at the potential damage you can do to your car by using the wrong engine oil.
Your Mileage May Vary
Naturally, every situation is different. However, if a vehicle has been well maintained and is in good running condition, synthetic oil may very well prolong its life. After all, some mechanics have said to this author that engine oil is more important than fuel. The belief centres around the fact that if you run out of fuel, one can simply put some of it in the tank and theyre good to go. On the flip side, if one runs out of the oil, the cars engine could be severely damaged.
If you decide to select synthetic oil for your high mileage car, talk to a professional mechanic first. Theyll inspect your vehicle and carry out any necessary repairs or replacements before making the switch, helping to protect your older model vehicle and ensure a long life.
At least until the other elements of Canadian winter do their job.
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Tips For Using Synthetic Oils In Older Models
When using the term older to refer to cars, it means those manufactured before 1990 or so. The risk with these models is that the seals, gaskets, and other components often arent as tight as with newer models. Because synthetic oil does a better job of cleaning out sludge, it could remove deposits that are acting as seals. This could result in leaks that cause the engine to burn oil and require you to monitor your oil levels and replace it more often. If you don’t, you risk damaging the engine or other components.
Its not accurate to say that you should never use synthetic oil in an older car. In fact, Castrol EDGE High Mileage is a synthetic oil designed specifically for high-mileage cars. If the car has been maintained and is in excellent running condition, the synthetic oil may protect the vehicle and prolong its life. Also, anytime you change from conventional oil to synthetic oil, always make sure to change the oil filter with every oil change.
Dispose Of Oil Appropriately
If you change the oil yourself, make sure to store the used oil in an airtight, safe container that wont spill. Contact your town and find out when the scheduled hazardous waste day is a day when the town accepts engine oil and other waste that gets appropriately disposed of according to State and Federal laws.
For more information about maintaining your car, check out:
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Can I Use Motorcycle Oil In My Lawn Mower
Once again, it depends on your mower and the climate you live in. Motorcycle oil comes in all different kinds, a lot like automobile oil. If the oil is of a reasonable thickness like SAE 30 or 10w40, you can use it, but you should usually stick to something with a slightly lower thickness, since a lot of motorbike fuel is made quite thick due to being close to hot asphalt. But, again, if your mower is older, you live somewhere with scorching summers, or youre using your mower often for heavy jobs, you might want to give something thicker a try.
