|
|
Layman's Guide to Synthetic Oil
Ten Myths About Synthetic Lubrication
It's a fact of life that behavior is strongly influenced
by what people believe, whether true or not. Numerous
examples from history bear this out. For example,
sailors were once fearful of sailing outside the sight
of land less they would fall off the edge of the world.
In the early 19th century, the train was considered
dangerous because it was believed that if you traveled
faster than 25 miles per hour, you would be traveling
too fast to breathe. At a later date, the New York Times
warned that electric light may cause blindness.
Microwave ovens, automobiles and airplanes have had
equally vociferous opponents.
Looking back, it is easy to laugh at some of these
things people so firmly believed. But these people were
not stupid. They were simply misinformed. In many
instances they had simply drawn conclusions before all
the facts were in. How easy it is to make the same
mistake today. In our own time, synthetic motor oils
have been the object of many misconceptions held by the
general public. Many people, including some mechanics
who ought to know better, have been misled by persistent
myths that need to be addressed.
PARAMETERS OF THE DEBATE
Synthetic lubricants are fuel efficient, extended life
lubricants manufactured from select basestocks and
special purpose additives. In contrast to petroleum oils
which are pumped from the earth and refined, synthetics
are custom-designed in the laboratory, with each phase
of their molecular construction programmed to produce,
in effect, the ideal lubricant.
In responding to objections most commonly raised against
synthetics it is important to establish the parameters
of the debate. When speaking of synthetic motor oils,
this article is defending the synthetic lubricants which
have been formulated to meet the performance standards
set by the American Petroleum Institute (API). (The
first such synthetic motor oil to meet these
industry-accepted tests for defining engine oil
properties and performance characteristics was
AMSOIL
100% Synthetic 10W-40 in 1972.)
Many people with questions about synthetics haven't
known where to turn to get correct information. Is it
super oil or snake oil? Some enthusiasts will swear that
synthetics are capable of raising your specialty car
from the dead. On the other hand, the next fellow
asserts that synthetics will send your beloved car to an
early grave. Where's the truth in all this?
In an effort to set the record straight, we've assembled
ten of the more persistent myths about synthetic motor
oils to see how they stack up against the facts.
Myth #1: Synthetic motor oils damage seals.
Untrue. It would be foolhardy for lubricant
manufacturers to build a product that is incompatible
with seals. The composition of seals presents problems
that both petroleum oils and synthetics must overcome.
Made from elastomers, seals are inherently difficult to
standardize.
Ultimately it is the additive mix in the oil that
counts. Additives to control seal swell, shrinkage and
hardening are required, whether it be a synthetic or
petroleum product that is being produced.
Myth #2: Synthetics are too thin to stay in the engine.
Untrue. In order for a lubricant to be classified in any
SAE grade (10W-30, 10W-40, etc) it has to meet certain
guidelines with regard to viscosity ("thickness").
For example, it makes no difference whether it is 10W-40
petroleum or 10W-40 synthetic, at -25 degrees centigrade
(-13F) and 100 degrees centigrade (212 degrees F) that
oil has to maintain a standardized viscosity or it can't
be rated a 10W-40.
Myth #3: Synthetics cause cars to use more oil.
Untrue. Synthetic motor oils are intended to use in
mechanically sound engines, that is, engines that don't
leak. In such engines oil consumption will actually be
reduced. First, because of the lower volatility of
synlubes. Second, because of the better sealing
characteristics between piston rings and cylinder walls.
And finally, because of the superior oxidation stability
(i.e. resistance of synthetics against reacting with
oxygen at high temperatures.)
Myth #4: Synthetic lubricants are not compatible with
petroleum.
Untrue. The synthesized hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins,
diesters and other materials that form the base stocks
of high quality name brand synthetics are fully
compatible with petroleum oils. In the old days, some
companies used untested ingredients that were not
compatible, causing quality synlubes to suffer a bum
rap. Fortunately, those days are long gone.
Compatibility is something to keep in mind, however,
whether using petroleum oils or synthetics. It is
usually best to use the same oil for topping off that
you have been running in the engine. That is, it is
preferable to not mix your oils, even if it is Valvoline
or Quaker State you are using. The reason is this: the
functions of additives blended for specific
characteristics can be offset when oils with different
additive packages are put together. For optimal
performance, it is better to use the same oil
throughout.
Myth#5: Synthetic lubricants are not readily available.
Untrue. This may have been the case two decades ago when
AMSOIL
and Mobil1 were the only real choices, but today nearly
every major oil company has added a synthetic product to
their lines. This in itself is a testament to the value
synthetics offer.
Myth #6: Synthetic lubricants produce sludge
Untrue. In point of fact, synthetic motor oils are more
sludge resistant than their petroleum counterparts,
resisting the effects of high temperatures and
oxidation. In the presence of high temperatures, two
things happen. First, an oil's lighter ingredients boil
off, making the oil thicker. Second, many of the complex
chemicals found naturally in petroleum basestocks begin
to react with each other, forming sludges, gums and
varnishes. One result is a loss of fluidity at low
temperatures, slowing the timely flow of oil to the
engine for vital engine protection. Further negative
effects of thickened oil include the restriction of oil
flow to critical areas, greater wear and loss of fuel
economy.
Because of their higher flash points, and their ability
to withstand evaporation loss and oxidation, synthetics
are much more resistant to sludge development.
Two other causes of sludge - ingested dirt and water
dilution - can be a problem in any kind of oil, whether
petroleum or synthetic. These are problems with the air
filtration system and the cooling system resoectively,
not the oil.
Myth #7: Synthetics can't be used with catalytic
converters or oxygen sensors.
Untrue. There is no difference between synthetic and
petroleum oils in regards to these components. Both
synthetic and petroleum oils are similar compounds and
neither si damaging to catalytic converters or oxygen
sensors.
Myth #8: Synthetics void warranties.
Untrue. No major manufacturer of automobiles
specifically bans the use of synthetic lubricants. In
point of fact, increasing numbers of high performance
cars are arriving on the showroom floors with synthetic
motor oils as factory fill.
New vehicle warranties are based upon the use of oils
meeting specific API Service Classifications (for
example SG/CE). Synthetic lubricants which meet current
API Service requirements are perfectly suited for use in
any vehicle without affecting the validity of the new
car warranty. In point of fact, in the over 25 years
that
AMSOIL
Synthetic Lubricants have been used in extended service
situations, over billions of miles of actual driving,
these oils have not been faulted once for voiding an
automaker's warranty.
Myth #9: Synthetics last forever.
Untrue. Although some experts feel that synthetic
basestocks themselves can be used forever, it is well
known that eventually the additives will falter and
cause the oil to require changing. Moisture, fuel
dilution and acids (the by-products of combustion) tend
to use up additives in an oil, allowing degradation to
occur.
However , by "topping off", additives can be
replenished. Through good filtration and periodic oil
analysis, synthetic motor oils protect an engine for
lengths of time far beyond the capability of
non-synthetics.
Myth #10: Synthetics are too expensive.
Untrue. Tests and experience have proven that synthetics
can greatly extend drain intervals, provide better fuel
economy, reduce engine wear and enable vehicles to
operate with greater reliability. All these elements
combine to make synthetic engine oils more economical
that conventional non-synthetics.
In Europe, synthetics have enjoyed increasing acceptance
as car buyers look first to performance and long term
value rather than initial price. As more sophisticated
technology places greater demands on today's motor oils,
we will no doubt see an increasing re-evaluation of oil
buying habits in this country as well.
CONCLUSIONS
Since their inception, manufacturers of synthetic motor
oils have sought to educate the public about the facts
regarding synthetics, and the need for consumers to make
their lubrication purchasing decisions based on quality
rather than price. As was the case with microwave ovens
or electric lights, a highly technological improvement
must often overcome a fair amount of public skepticism
and consumer inertia before it is embraced by the
general population.
But the word is getting out as a growing number of
motorists worldwide experience the benefits of synthetic
lubrication. The wave of the future, in auto lubes, is
well under way.
|
|
|
