Oil 101 - Revised and Expanded Chapter 4

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Originally Posted By: Solarent
I think it is time to update Motor Oil 101. It gets quoted a lot and has helped many people begin to understand some of the basics. Without getting too technical I’ve followed the same general format, but re-written the topics so it is more accurate.
No disrespect to AE Haas, his article has helped many and will continue to do so.
I welcome your comments and input and hopefully if this ends up replacing the current Motor Oil University, the powers that be at BITOG will also take them into consideration.


Chapter 4 – Conventional vs Synthetic Oils

So far we have been talking about engine oils in a very general sense, focusing mostly on the viscosity/temperature relationship and how this has changed to include a complex mixture of base oils and viscosity modifiers. But we also need to talk about some of the differences between Synthetic Oils and Conventional oils. We won’t talk about the chemical differences, but rather some of the functional differences.

You will often see high performance cars recommend Synthetic oils only in their owners’ manuals. People equate synthetic oils as high performance oils. There are lots of great benefits to using a synthetic oil over a conventional one. They typically take longer to oxidize, which means the oil change interval can go longer. They also can do a better job of maintaining the right operational viscosity as the temperature changes, they don’t thicken as much at lower temperatures which means greater flexibility in meeting the oil grade targets needed by the engine manufacturer. They are also more expensive and might be overkill for the average person driving to and from work, getting groceries and taking the kids to soccer practice and school.

Synthetic oils are different from conventional oils. One of the big differences is in their natural ability to maintain a similar viscosity as the temperature changes. In a conventional oil blend that meets 10W30, if you were to swap out the conventional base oil with a synthetic 1:1 without making any changes to the ratios or viscosity modifier you might end up with a 0W30 or a 5W30. That is because synthetic base oils do not thicken as much and so it would have better cold temperature performance. This also means that it will be lighter at start-up which means less wear and less wasted energy. Having this greater flexibility also means that the oil maker can change the blends to make higher performing products that allow for new engine technologies as well – like having a robust oil that meets the regular engine needs but can also help lubricate a turbocharger which runs at much higher speeds and temperatures than the rest of the engine components.

At temperatures below zero you may not be able to start your car with mineral oils while the synthetic oils may be used to -40° or -50°F. An except from the web about Mobil 1 oils: They compared a 5W-30 synthetic Mobil 1 oil to a mineral based 10W-30 and a 10W-40 in ice cold conditions. The engine turned over at 152 RPM with the synthetic 5W-30 Mobil 1. The 10W-30 and 10W-40 mineral oils turned over at 45 and 32 RPM respectively. Neither of those engines started.

Start-up temperatures aren’t the only reason to use synthetic oil. Do you remember how we talked about oil thickening over time while it’s being used? This is caused by oxidation. Oil, exposed to heat and air goes through a chemical reaction that creates oxidation particles which makes the oil thicker. Some of these get filtered out with your oil filter, some stays dispersed in the oil and changes the oil color to black, some of it gets left behind on engine components in the form of varnish and sludge. The best way to combat oil oxidation is to change your oil regularly. That said, synthetic oils not only are better at maintaining viscosity as the temperature changes – but they are also more resistant to oxidation. This means that in general a synthetic oil can run longer oil drain intervals, in more harsh conditions than their mineral oil counterparts. For some people this is an important factor, for others it might be overkill. Whatever you choose – make sure you follow your owner’s manual recommendation and match the type of oil you buy to the oil drain interval you follow.

You don’t have to use synthetic oil, but there can be some real advantages to doing so. There are lots of people use synthetic, just like there are a lot of people that don’t. It also doesn’t really matter which brand you choose either. There is a lot of competition to get us the best working engine oils. Some car manufacturers like you to use a specific brand (or their own special branded product) because they test and design their engines around those products. It doesn’t mean that those brands are better, especially because lots of brands meet the same specifications (like the API specifications or an OEM spec like Dexos1). If you are looking for a good oil to use first check your owner’s manual, then make sure you pick the right viscosity grade – and don’t be afraid to go for something that has better cold temperature performance because that is only going to help with better startup and reduced energy consumption, Pick a brand you are comfortable with and start to learn about the different specifications and applications oils are designed for.
 
Good stuff man, keep it up.
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Quote:
An except? [excerpt] from the web about Mobil 1 oils:
 
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Is it worth it to mention the in between "synthetic blend?" You can mix conventional and synthetic because the mfg's are doing it. And while it's not preferred, there's no emergency issue with mixing different blends and grades if you are in a pinch and need to add oil. Much of the public still believes you can't mix anything.
 
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
Is it worth it to mention the in between "synthetic blend?" You can mix conventional and synthetic because the mfg's are doing it. And while it's not preferred, there's no emergency issue with mixing different blends and grades if you are in a pinch and need to add oil. Much of the public still believes you can't mix anything.

We could maybe add a section in the last chapter (or a whole new chapter) that deals with variation in oils on the market today and include things like synthetic blends, High Mileage oils, etc.
 
What is the difference between the max temps of todays conventional oils and syn oils before they start to degrade from the high temps?
 
Originally Posted By: Solarent
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
Is it worth it to mention the in between "synthetic blend?" You can mix conventional and synthetic because the mfg's are doing it. And while it's not preferred, there's no emergency issue with mixing different blends and grades if you are in a pinch and need to add oil. Much of the public still believes you can't mix anything.

We could maybe add a section in the last chapter (or a whole new chapter) that deals with variation in oils on the market today and include things like synthetic blends, High Mileage oils, etc.


I agree with an extra chapter for the practical side. Keep the theoretical first, in the chapters as they are, then put everything in practice.
 
I take exception to the talk about synthetics and start-up wear and turbos. There are no technical papers that I know of that prove a wear superiority for synthetics under any normal operating condition including start-up. And truckers and marine have been running tubos on mineral oil HDEO's for decades at 1,200*F and the oils have not fallen apart.

There is some coking in turbos (excessive oxidation) when they are shut down hot and synthetics can help with that. But that is 1.) operator error, and 2.) poorly designed oil flow system for the turbo where oil remains pooled in the hot mid-section without draining completely away on shut down ...

Lets not put bad practices in here as proof of something it's not ...
 
Originally Posted By: BrocLuno

...Lets not put bad practices in here as proof of something it's not ...



It is not bad practice to use synthetics.

The main target here is the education of the daily driver or newbie (not the diesel, aviation, or marine engineer) and giving him/her the information to make an educated decision.


[quote-Solarent]Pick a brand you are comfortable with and start to learn about the different specifications and applications oils are designed for.[/quote]

I think that is the main message.
 
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