Ten Myths About Synthetic Lubrication
Introduction
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 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 would
be travelling too 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's easy to laugh at some of the
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 numerous 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 addressed.
Parameters of the Debate
Synthetic lubricants are fuel efficient, extended life lubricants manufactured
from 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 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 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 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 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 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 happen. First, an oil's
lighter ingredients boil off, making the oil thicker. Second, many of the complex
chemicals found naturally in petroleum basestocks begin to react with each other,
forming sludges, gums and varnishes. 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.
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 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, 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 twenty-five 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. 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. 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.
Conclusion
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 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.