To be aware of the benefits of high mileage synthetic oill, you first have to appreciate how it differs from typical oil.Conventional lubricants are produced from crude oil.After being extracted from the ground, it is extensively refined to get rid of impurities.Then it is combined with other chemicals before finding its way to your local auto-parts store.But regardless of the process used, conventional oils always retain a certain level of insolubles, such as silicon, paraffin and other contaminants, which, under specific conditions, may form deposits inside an engine.
On the other hand, high mileage synthetic oils are generally manmade, though not essentially.They are normally sourced from natural gas or alcohol, meaning they’re pure from the get-go, with zero contaminants of any kind.They’re also more stable at different temperatures. They don’t thin out as much when exposed to hot temperatures or thicken excessively in colder weather.Higher VI (viscosity index) equals better oil, meaning viscosity doesn’t change as much with temperature fluctuations, which is a desirable trait.
As well, note that a lot of refiners make synthetic blends, which are less expensive than pure synthetics but provide less protection.
Benefits of High Mileage Synthetic Oil
Another key benefit of high mileage synthetic oil is molecular constancy.Being impure substances, conventional lubricants are composed of molecules having different lengths.Hydrocarbon chains can be small, medium and long.Synthetic oil only has medium-length molecules.
The problem with conventional oil’s short, lightweight hydrocarbons is that they make it burn in high temperatures. The longer the oil remains in an engine, the more it thickens.On top of that, synthetic oils are able to handle high temperatures much better than their more conventional equivalents.And they’re better in terms of transferring heat, meaning synthetic oils can help keep a vehicle’s engine cool while running.
Because they are more resistant to “shearing” or breakdown, synthetics are just richer than conventional lubricants, which can pay off big time.The drain interval can stretched safely from 10,000 to 12,000 miles, which is three to four times normal oil, while the extra cost of synthetic is far from that.
Some niche oil companies promote even longer drain intervals – up to 25,000 miles – but this is rather extreme and not something experts would actually risk.
Greater Fuel Economy
Better fuel economy makes another way drivers can save cash with synthetic oil. There won’t be a big increase after you switch, but you will likely see get a 2-3% efficiency boost.
Of course, synthetic oil benefits don’t come free.They’re generally several times pricier compared to old-fashioned lubricants.The expense is extremely well justified however.Then again, not all synthetic oils are created equal, so it’s important to choose the right product.