Changing the oil in your car is a very important part of keeping it in prime condition. But even if you're good at getting it every 3,000 miles, some drivers might not know what the difference between conventional and synthetic motor oil is. Believe it or not, synthetic oils are specially designed to keep your car well-lubricated and working in prime condition.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) traditionally divides motor oil into conventional and synthetic oils. As you probably guessed, synthetic oils are newer, and most are completely man-made. Though this makes some drivers wary, it's important to remember that manufacturers can control exactly what goes into the mix if it's synthetic.

Why should you care?

Besides making your engine last longer, there are other obvious reasons to use synthetics:

1. Better fuel economy - A clean engine is a happy engine. Less resistance simply means better efficiency.
2. Horsepower - Though it won't improve your horsepower, less wear means your car's performance will stand-up longer.
3. Safer - Conventional oils are not specially designed the same way synthetic oils are; sometimes you just can't know what you're getting.

Basically, synthetic oils are designed down to the molecule. This means there are no unknown additives and that all of the molecules are the same size. When you're dealing with lubricants, it's very important that molecules be the same size to reduce friction as much as possible. With synthetics, this is no problem.

So what goes into good synthetic oil? Though it varies among manufacturers, they typically use artificial esters, polyalphaolefin, and alkylated aromatics, as well as detergents, dispersants, antioxidants, and anti-wear additives. While this might sound like gibberish, each of these chemicals is essential and can be carefully blended to ensure they're perfect for your engine.

There are definite advantages to synthetic oils, as noted by leading manufacturer, Exxon Mobil:

1. Increased wear protection - Because they're tailor-made, artificial oils reduce metal-on-metal contact as much as possible.
2. Wider Temperature Range - Synthetics can withstand a wider range of temperatures. Though most oil can withstand extreme heat, the cold temperatures can cause problems for conventional oils. 
3. Long Life - They're more stable, they resist corrosion and degradation better, and they're viscosity is more constant. Simply put, they last longer.

It's not uncommon for drivers to reach for the cheapest oil on the shelf. That's not necessarily the way to go, especially if you want to save money in the long run. Sure, conventional oils are often slightly cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Synthetic oils are a better product because they're carefully designed, contain virtually no impurities, and are better for your car. In the long run, buying synthetic will save you money by keeping you out of the repair shop. 

Sold? Then come by Ed Shults of Warren to get your next oil change today! 

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