Is Synthetic Oil Better?

You’ve seen the television commercials. They all tout the advantages of the latest synthetic oil. Ah, but is synthetic oil better or is this just a marketing pitch?

Synthetic oil is basically exactly what the name suggests. It is chemical blend created in a lab. Some synthetics are entirely artificial and others are combined with the more traditional petroleum that you grandfather used. The traditional oil is known as mineral oil by the way.

So, is synthetic oil better? It is much better than what your grandfather used. That being said, it is not much better than the normal mineral oil you can buy today. It is not a case of synthetic oil being a fraud of some sort. It is a case of the oil companies improving the mineral oil substantially. Put another way, both are much better than what your grandfather was using.

You really don’t need synthetic oil if you live in an area with a mild climate. “Regular” oil is going to be able to handle the strain you put on your engine just fine. Yes, it has improved that much over the years. That doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions to this rule. Three basic ones apply.

The first has to do with the specs for your car. Simply put, some engines are designed in a manner that creates massive stress on the parts. In such cases, the manufacturer will call for the use of a synthetic oil to handle the higher heat and friction levels. Going with a mineral oil in such a situation is a big mistake.

The second exception has to do with the climate. Synthetic oil has repeatedly been found to be better than mineral oil in harsh climates. If you live in Phoenix, synthetic oil is going to be the best choice when summer temperatures climb above 100. Conversely, the same is true for a vehicle in Minnesota in the winter.

The third exception has to do with the life of your car. My grandfather had a RV that he drove though the desert from San Diego to Las Vegas and back time and time again. The engine was pulled and broken down at 200,000 miles. The internal components of the car looked nearly new. The mechanics were shocked until they found he used Mobil 1 religiously. If you want your car to last a very long time, synthetic is definitely worth the money.

Is synthetic oil better than regular oil? Yes. The difference, however, is more pronounced when the conditions are more extreme. Personally, I use synthetic oil in my cars. Better safe than sorry!

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