Unlike gasoline and windshield washing fluid, your car's engine lubricant doesn't get used up. Unless you have a leak in the system or are burning oil because of an engine flaw, you can change it periodically to keep the engine clean. There are different types of engine lube depending on how they are manufactured. The three types are mineral oil, a mineral/synthetic blend or fully synthetic motor oil.
A lot of cars run perfectly happily on garden variety mineral oil, the lowest grade of engine lubricant. This is derived from crude oil that has been through a refining process. At a slightly higher tier are the synthetic blends. These are made in a lab and tend to be designed specifically with the high-performance motor in mind. They can also coddle an engine that is getting delicate as it approaches retirement age.
Then there are the totally synthetic lubes. These are caviar for the prima donnas of motoring, your Corvette Sting-Ray and others of that ilk. They have a price tag to match. One reason for choosing these types of oils is because of their high longevity.
What are the driving forces behind changing to a more expensive kind of engine lubricant? One notable advantage is for its better flow characteristics, particularly at low temperatures. You really don't want to coax your engine to start on a cold, snowy mornings! Engine start-up is also the most demanding scenario in terms of wear.
Synthetic oils can extend the length of the time span in between oil changes. If you tend to do your own work, this alone can make it worth the extra expense. Over time, it obviously saves you money on oil and filters.
A little bit of folklore concerning artificial lubricants is that they cannot be mixed with the genuine article. This is completely untrue. They are perfectly compatible with conventional oils and may used in cars both old and new in any proportion. You can also switch back and forth from one form to the other. It's not like gasoline versus diesel, where getting them mixed up can ruin your whole day, not to mention your bank account.
One word of warning, however, if you do decide to upgrade from conventional lubricants to the synthetic type. Don't skimp. This is penny wise and pound foolish. Some brands contain additives that could harm your engine. You would be much better off with the cheap stuff than by purchasing a lower-priced synthetic product. It's like anything else. You get what you pay for.
Different engines need different engine oils. If you are a bit unsure or have any questions about what to put in your vehicle, the Internet is a good place to educate yourself. Check the manufacturer's website. Mooch around the forums to see what people are saying about the different products.
A lot of cars run perfectly happily on garden variety mineral oil, the lowest grade of engine lubricant. This is derived from crude oil that has been through a refining process. At a slightly higher tier are the synthetic blends. These are made in a lab and tend to be designed specifically with the high-performance motor in mind. They can also coddle an engine that is getting delicate as it approaches retirement age.
Then there are the totally synthetic lubes. These are caviar for the prima donnas of motoring, your Corvette Sting-Ray and others of that ilk. They have a price tag to match. One reason for choosing these types of oils is because of their high longevity.
What are the driving forces behind changing to a more expensive kind of engine lubricant? One notable advantage is for its better flow characteristics, particularly at low temperatures. You really don't want to coax your engine to start on a cold, snowy mornings! Engine start-up is also the most demanding scenario in terms of wear.
Synthetic oils can extend the length of the time span in between oil changes. If you tend to do your own work, this alone can make it worth the extra expense. Over time, it obviously saves you money on oil and filters.
A little bit of folklore concerning artificial lubricants is that they cannot be mixed with the genuine article. This is completely untrue. They are perfectly compatible with conventional oils and may used in cars both old and new in any proportion. You can also switch back and forth from one form to the other. It's not like gasoline versus diesel, where getting them mixed up can ruin your whole day, not to mention your bank account.
One word of warning, however, if you do decide to upgrade from conventional lubricants to the synthetic type. Don't skimp. This is penny wise and pound foolish. Some brands contain additives that could harm your engine. You would be much better off with the cheap stuff than by purchasing a lower-priced synthetic product. It's like anything else. You get what you pay for.
Different engines need different engine oils. If you are a bit unsure or have any questions about what to put in your vehicle, the Internet is a good place to educate yourself. Check the manufacturer's website. Mooch around the forums to see what people are saying about the different products.
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