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Ten Myths About Synthetic Lubrication
First Published in the National Oil and Lube News
by Ed Newman
It’s a fact of life that behavior is strongly influenced by
what people believe, whether true or not. Numerous examples from history bear
this out. For example, sailors were once fearful of sailing outside the sight of
land less 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
traveled faster than 25 miles per hour, you would be traveling to fast to
breathe. At a later date, the New York Times warned that electric light may
cause blindness. Microwave ovens, automobiles and airplanes have had equally
vociferous opponents.
Looking back, it is easy to laugh at some of these things
people so firmly believed. But these people were not stupid. They were simply
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 many misconceptions held by the
general public. Many people, including some mechanics who ought to know better,
have been misled by persistent myths that need to be addresses
Parameters of the debate
Synthetic lubricants are the fuel efficient, extended life
lubricants manufactured from the select basestocks and special purpose
additives. In contrast to petroleum oils which are pumped from the earth and
refined, synthetics are custom-designed in the laboratory, with each phase of
their molecular construction programmed to produce, in effect, the ideal
lubricant.
In responding to 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 synthetic
lubricants which have been formulated to meet the performance standards set by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). (The first such synthetic motor oil 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 specialty 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 of this?
In an effort to set the record straight, we’ve assembled 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 the 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 the 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 lubrication 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 is 10W-40
petroleum or 10W-40 synthetic, at -25 degrees centigrade (-13F) and 100 degrees
centigrade (212degrees F) that 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 to 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 untested 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
the 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. But, beware, many of the other "synthetics" are not true PAO (Polyalphaolefin)
synthetics (i.e.: Castrol Syntec, Penzoil, etc…) they are hydroisomerized
petroleum oil or an ester based synthetic blend.
Myth #6: Synthetic lubricants produce sludge
Untrue. In point of fact, synthetic motor oils are more sludge
resistant then their petroleum counterparts, resisting the effects of high
temperatures and oxidation. In the presence of high temperatures, two things
happen. First, an oil’s lighter ingredients boil off, making the oil thicker.
Second, many of the complex chemicals found naturally in the petroleum
basestacks begin to react with each other, forming sludges, gums and varnishes.
On result is a loss of fluidity at low temperatures, slowing the timely flow of
oil to the engine for vital engine protection. Further negative effects of
thickening oil include the restriction of oil flow to 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 oils are similar
compounds and neither is damaging to catalytic converters of oxygen sensors.
Myth #8: Synthetics void warranties
Untrue. No major manufacturer of automobiles specifically bans
the use of synthetic lubricants. In point of fact, increasing numbers of high
performance cars are arriving on the showroom floors with synthetic motor oils
as factory fills.
New vehicle warranties are based upon the use of oils meeting
specific API Service Classifications (for example SG/CE). 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 over 25 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 basestocks
themselves can be used forever, it is well known that eventually the additives
will falter and cause the oil to require changing. Moisture, fuel dilution and
acids (the by-products of combustion) tend to use up additives in an oil,
allowing degradation to occur.
However, by "topping off", additives can be replenished.
Though good filtration and periodic oil analysis, synthetic motor oils protect
an engine for lengths of time far beyond the capability of non-synthetics.
Myth #10: Synthetics are too expensive
Untrue. Test 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. All these elements
combine to make synthetic engine oils more economical than convention
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 increasing re-evaluation of oil buying habits in this
country as well .
CONCLUSIONS
Since their inception, manufacturers of synthetic motor oils
have sought to educate the public about the facts regarding synthetics, and the
need for consumers to make their lubrication purchasing decisions based on
quality rather than price. As was the case with the microwave ovens or electric
lights, a highly technological improvement must often overcome a fair amount of
public skepticism and consumer inertia before it is embraced by the general
population.
But the word is getting out as a growing number of motorists
worldwide experience the benefits of synthetic lubrication. The wave of the
future, in auto lubes, is well under
way.
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