Synthetic Oil

If you aren’t currently using synthetic motor oil in your vehicle, maybe now’s the time to consider it. Need more information?

Well, synthetic motor oil is a substitute for petroleum based oil.

European and Import vehicle manufactures started to recommend or require the use of synthetic oils in 1998. Domestic vehicle manufactures started to recommend or require the use of synthetics in 2000.

Today almost every vehicle on the road is required to have synthetic oils used in place of conventional oils.

Why do you think the manufactures have raised their drivetrain warranties from the usual 36,000 miles up to 100,00-200,000 miles on many of their vehicles? They know how powerful these synthetic fluids are and installed them into your vehicle when it was manufactured.

In order to maintain your warranty and extend the life of your vehicle the correct synthetic fluid must be used when performing any fluid replacement service. Make sure you ask whomever is changing the fluids in your vehicle to replace with the original brand fluid or better.

Here is a short video about fluid replacement.

Synthetic oil doesn’t gel or gum-up like petroleum based oil and it doesn’t vaporize as easily. It protects better in severe driving conditions like stop and go driving around Lansing, as well as in very hot or very cold conditions. More and more new vehicles are being delivered with full synthetic motor oil; with the recommendation to use synthetic for the life of the vehicle.

Why is this? Synthetic motor oil maximizes engine power and fuel economy. To see why; we’d need a microscope, so we’ll have to settle for using our imaginations.

The molecules of conventional motor oil are long hydrocarbon chains. Synthetic motor oil, on the other hand, has uniform, round molecules. Which is more slippery, a pile of pencils or a pile of marbles?

Synthetic motor oil lubricates better because there’s less friction. That means better wear protection, cooler operating temperatures, more power and better fuel economy. And synthetic oil doesn’t sludge up like conventional oil, so it prevents those small oil passages from clogging up. This is so important on todays engines. The size of the hole that oil flows through in your engine is the same size as the point of a needle!

Some manufacturers are extending oil change intervals. The added protection of synthetic oil covers you for these longer intervals. Talk with Sam or your service advisor about how you drive and see if he thinks you can benefit from synthetic oil. Also ask about the appropriate oil change interval for synthetic, because it may very well be longer than for conventional oil.

Most of us here in Lansing have a busy life and might occasionally miss an oil change; go ahead admit it. Since we’re not perfect, doesn’t it make sense to use a motor oil that’s got your back?

Now synthetic oil costs more. But it lasts longer, protects better and increases fuel economy. You’ll likely save money in the long run. If you’re serious about making your car last longer, start using synthetic motor oil right away.

Give us a call at 517-316-7999 to schedule an oil change, or visit us at our Professional Fleet Services website.

You can also read an article We wrote on this exact same subject a year ago.