Car Insurance

It’s a fact of life that behavior is influenced by what people
believe, whether true or not. Numerous cases from history bear
this out. For example, sailors were once fearful of sailing
outside the sight of land lest 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 moved faster than 25 miles per hour, you’d
be traveling too fast to breathe. At a later date, the New York
Times warned that electric light would cause blindness. Microwave
ovens, automobiles and airplanes have had equally vociferous
opponents.

Looking back, it’s easy to laugh at some of the things people
once held as true. But these people were not stupid. They were
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
numerous misconceptions held by the general public. Many people,
including some mechanics, have been misled by these persistent
myths.

PARAMETERS OF THE DEBATE

Synthetic motor oils are fuel efficient, extended life lubricants
manufactured from select base stocks and special purpose
additives. Synthetic oil base stocks are made from organic
compounds or synthetic hydrocarbons using a process that
re-arranges the structure so all the molecules are uniform in
size, shape and weight, a phenomenon that does not occur in
nature. In contrast to petroleum oils which are pumped from the
earth and refined, synthetics are custom-designed to produce, in
effect, the ideal lubricant.

In responding to the 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 lubricants which have been formulated to meet the
performance standards set by the American Petroleum Institute
(API). (The first such synthetic motor oil independently tested
and confirmed 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 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 here 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 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’s 10W-40 petroleum
or 10W-40 synthetic, at -25 degrees centigrade (-13F) and 100
degrees centigrade (212 degrees F) the 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 for 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 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 Mobil 1 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 temperature and oxidation. In the presence of
high temperatures, two things can happen. First, an oil’s lighter
ingredients boil off, making the oil thicker. Second, many of the
complex chemicals found naturally in petroleum base stocks begin
to react with each other, forming sludge, gum and varnish. One
result is a loss of fluidity at low temperatures, slowing the
timely flow of oil to the engine for vital component protection.

Further negative effects of thickened oil include the restriction
of oil flow into 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 respectively, 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
motor oils are similar compounds and neither is damaging to
catalytic converters or oxygen sensors. In fact, because engines
tend to run cleaner with synthetics, sensors and emission control
systems run more efficiently and with less contamination.

Myth#8: Synthetics void warranties.

Untrue. Major engine manufacturers specifically recommend the use
of synthetic lubricants. In point of fact, increasing numbers of
high performance cars are arriving on 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, SJ/CF).
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 twenty-eight 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 base stocks
themselves can be used forever, it is well known that eventually
the additives will falter and cause the oil to require changing.
Moisture, fuel dillution, and the by-products of combustion
(acids and soot) 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 engine 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. This more than offsets initial price differences.
All these elements combine to make synthetic engine oils more
economical than 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.