Understanding Automotive Brake Parts and Services

Do You Need Synthetic Motor Oil

One of the typical services that a car requires is an oil change. While you may be tempted to go with the least expensive oil you can find. This may not be the best option in the long run. In order to get the most from your oil, you may need to look into using synthetic oil instead of a petroleum-based oil. 

The Limitations of Petroleum-Based Oils

Not all oils are created equal. Petroleum is a natural product, and as such it is not engineered for optimum performance. Engineers can add various products to enhance the performance of the oil, but it will always be limited by the petroleum that the oil starts with. One of the problems with traditional oil is that as your engine heats up, the viscosity of the oil breaks down. What does that mean? Viscosity allows your car to cling to the moving parts of your engine and prevent them from grinding and wearing on each other. However, hot oil will not cling to the moving parts of your engine, leaving it unprotected when your engine most needs protection. 

The Advantages of Synthetic Oils

A synthetic oil is purposefully designed to protect your engine. This means that engineers can make sure that even as your engine heats up, the oil clings to your engine parts and protects them to much higher temperatures than traditional oils can. Another advantage of a synthetic oil is that it protects your car at another of the most dangerous times—when you first turn it on. The problem is that when you turn your car off, the oil slowly drains off the moving parts of your engine. Thus, when you first turn the car on, there is no oil to protect the car for the first few moments that it is on. Synthetic oils can be designed to cling to engine parts for hours even when the car is shut off. 

When you add in the fact that synthetic oils can last much longer than traditional oils, you have a plethora of reasons to choose synthetic oil. it may cost you more money to  purchase synthetic oils, but because they will protect your engine better, you can reduce your car maintenance and repair bill. And because you go longer between oils changes, you can end up spending less on oil changes simply because you change your oil less often. Contact an auto servicing company, like Lamb's Automotive Repair with Care, to discuss whether or not synthetic oil could be the right choice for your car.


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