You may have wondered why your Perez Auto Repair Service Advisor in Phoenix might ask you every time you get an oil change – conventional, synthetic blend or synthetic? He might tell you that synthetic is best – and it is almost always more expensive – but you probably don’t know why. Is there really a difference, or is he just trying to squeeze more money out of you?
The fact is, there are many substantial differences between conventional, synthetic blend and synthetic motor oils. They all start as crude oil pumped from the ground, but that is essentially where the similarities end.
Synthetic oil is not only refined, but distilled, purified, and further refined into smaller, more basic molecules. This not only removes more impurities from the crude oil, but lets individual molecules in the oil be tailored to the needs of your engine. These customized molecules provide higher levels of performance and protection than conventional oils, resulting in a less stressed, longer-lasting engine. Synthetic oil also typically has more additives to ensure a better overall working of your engine.
Synthetic blend oil uses a mix of conventional and synthetic oils, supplying increased protection from oxidation (corrosion) over conventional motor oil. Other benefits include: seal conditioners for rejuvenating aging engine seals to help stop or prevent oil leaks, additional protection against future engine wear, enhanced removal of sludge and deposits, and longer intervals between oil changes.
The first major advantage of synthetic oils is that they give your engine better protection from wear. Motor oil lubricates parts of your engine that are in constant contact with each other and moving at high speeds. In the extreme environment of an engine, components will wear and break down quickly without lubrication. Motor oil serves as the protective barrier between these components. As conventional oils break down, their ability to prevent wear diminishes. Synthetic oils can retain wear protection abilities for a much longer time and increase your engine life.
Synthetic oil helps keeps your engine cleaner while doing your local errands in Phoenix or stopping in to say Hi at Perez Auto Repair. As oil circulates through your engine’s nooks and crannies, it will pick up deposits from the parts that it flows through. Over time, especially if you don’t change your oil often enough, conventional oils may form sludge by the impurities in the oil binding to these deposits – reducing your engine’s efficiency and ultimately shortening its lifespan. Synthetic oils contain fewer impurities and do a better job of resisting the formation of sludge.
Another advantage of synthetic oil is that they flow better in low temperatures. You may know that, on a cold day, you’re supposed to let your car idle for several minutes to warm it up before driving. This is so that the oil can warm up and flow smoothly through your engine. Synthetic motor oils are engineered to flow quickly even at lower temperatures, and driving a cold car with synthetic oil in it shouldn’t cause any extra stress or wear on your engine components.
Lastly, synthetic oil can also protect a hot engine better. The high temperatures in your engine can cause conventional motor oils to break down or evaporate, risking heavy wear on your engine. Synthetic motor oils are better able to resist this, especially important under the hot Arizona sun.
Now that you have a better idea of the differences between conventional, synthetic blend and synthetic motor oil, take the time to weigh the options yourself – are you satisfied with conventional oil and more wear on your engine, or would you rather spend a few extra dollars every few months for a longer lasting, better running engine? Additionally, many newer vehicles require synthetic oil, so always refer to your vehicles owner manual for your manufacturers requirements.
If you have any questions about your vehicles oil or the intervals in which you need to change your oil please call us at 602-269-3576 or stop in at 429 S. 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009 or schedule your service today online by clicking HERE.