Dear Tom,
Could you please explain the difference between synthetic oil and regular oil for a car? Is it safe to use synthetic oil? I drive a 2006 Mazda 6. Thank you.
-Monticello, VA
Answer:
Synthetic oil (though not impervious to) is highly resistant to viscosity breakdown from chemical contamination, heat, and friction inside the internal combustion engine. Viscosity breakdown is the loss of ability of the oil to lubricate an engine. This toughness is due to the chemical fortification of the base stock oil at formulation. Non-synthetic oil tends to break down more easily because it lacks this chemical fortification.Synthetic oil also tends to flow easier at sub zero temperatures. At low temps, non-synthetic oil becomes heavy and thus doesn't flow very well. This condition causes dry startup and internal engine wear over time. Finally, because of the robust nature of synthetic oil, you can go longer between oil changes, usually double the recommended drain interval (3,000 miles). Overall, synthetic oil offers several benefits compared 'regular' oil.
With over 27 years in the automotive industry and nearly a decade in automotive talk radio, Tom Torbjornsen makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. Tom has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and tearing down the technical, meeting you at your level of understanding. You will be encouraged as you gain the confidence to deal with problems related to the second most expensive purchase you will make in a lifetime - your automobile.
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Synthetic Oil Vs. Non-Synthetic Oil
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1. I have always used reg.oil in my RX-7(rotary)but on a recent clutch change I discovered that the shop has used synthetic oil. Is this OK?
Posted at 8:19PM on Sep 15th 2008 by Maury Croskery
2. once you start using synthetic oil can you switch back to reg. oil
Posted at 11:59AM on Oct 6th 2008 by henry
3. I spent 20 yrs overhauling transmission for helicopters that ran as hot as any car enging and, had 3000 horse power running through them all day everday. Denpending on the outside operating temp. we used either Delo 30 or the expensive synthetic oil, (both approved by the helicopter manufacture). I made it a point to compare the wear over thousands of hrs of operation but could not tell the a differance wear in the bearings or the gear train/components between the two types of oil.
One can draw their own conclusions but I use just good old motor oil and save my money.
Posted at 5:01PM on Oct 17th 2008 by Sturdevant
4. Those who posted the 3 comments above need to get the FACTS! I have been a AMSOIL Dealer since 1985. The FACT is, Synthetics are INFINITELY SUPERIOR! They may contact me at: dabbssd@aol.com I'll be glad to answer their questions.
Posted at 1:07AM on Nov 20th 2008 by David A. Bess
5. Amsoil has been around since 1972 and outperforms any synthetic oil www.SINCE1972.info
Posted at 6:08PM on Jan 8th 2009 by kraig
6. is it okay to use synthetic oil in a 2004 veh
Posted at 10:08PM on Jan 15th 2009 by julius generette
7. you can use synthetic in any model or year they say use it older cars but thats false information why not start early make car last longer
www.SINCE1972.net
Posted at 7:59AM on Jan 19th 2009 by kraig
8. Synthetic Oils are superior. They give the car more of what it needs.
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Posted at 3:36PM on Mar 15th 2009 by WindshieldGuy
9. The introduction of AMSOIL synthetic motor oil in 1972 set all new standards for motor oil quality.Amsoil lubricants are 100% synthetic. They are specially designed to protect engine components, reduce emissions, last longer, reduce fuel consumption and prevent environmental pollution.From the beginning, AMSOIL Synthetic motor oils have outperformed conventional petroleum motor oils on all counts. http://www.sheriffsynthetics.com
Posted at 2:23PM on Apr 16th 2009 by Jeff Sheriff
10. I was just wondering what the "know it all's" in here have to ay about the new addition of the synthetic blends of motor oil. The fact is that both oils perform the way they are intended to do. Synthetic motor oil has been around since the second world war. it was created as a substitute for regular motor oil. You can argue for days and years and not ever come up with an answer. Long story short, put in the vehicle what the manufacturer specifies. If it calls for synthetic blend do it if not why bother, unless your vehicle is being put through extremes you dont want the breakdown protection and cost asociated with synthetic oils. As for the oil peddlers uptop let them try to sell there junk somewhere else.
any comments? youredone82@aol.com
Posted at 8:04PM on Apr 23rd 2009 by xander
11. To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use or tags.
Posted at 2:51AM on May 18th 2009 by robert
12. Dear All,
I have nissan primera 1997 car. I put the synthetic oil to my car. But my brother add petroleum oil to my car. Brother said me don't worry the oil is no difference. Can you or could you tell me is it bad or not?
Posted at 8:40AM on Jul 28th 2009 by munkhbayar
13. Actually, there's no much different whether you use synthetic or non-synthetic. The point is you have to change your oil frequently as mentioned in the service manual.
http://www.factory-servicemanual.com
Posted at 4:28AM on Jun 3rd 2009 by yrre7
14. is there any difference in synthetic oils. or are brands the same
Posted at 8:33AM on Jul 15th 2009 by vincentlofaro
15. I am currently borrowing an older Mercury (1999?) and the owner puts Amsoil in it. By mistake, recently, someone unknowingly added a quart of non-synthetic oil. And, it needs more oil. I plan to add Amsoil. Does the non-synthetic oil need to be drained? Or, is it all right to just add the Amsoil to the non-synthetic quart and the rest of the Amsoil that it is in the engine now? Please, someone respond.
Posted at 9:08PM on Aug 11th 2009 by Shirley Labrenz
16. I have always used conventional oil in all of my vehicles. My wife just got an oil change in our 2003 F150 with 103000 miles where they used synthetic blend. Are we going to be OK? What will happen if I switch back to conventional oil at the next oil change or as soon as possible?
Posted at 4:34AM on Nov 10th 2009 by John