When you purchase a vehicle, you’re not only signing up for the vehicle that you’ve been looking forward to driving, but you are also signing up for the responsibility of keeping up with the vehicle’s maintenance needs. One regular service that every vehicle needs is the flushing and replacement of motor oil. Why is this? With every mile put onto your odometer, the vehicle is utilizing motor oil to function as it should. As a result, motor oil needs to be replaced.
Let’s begin by explaining the purpose of motor oil to illustrate why it’s so important to maintain motor oil properly.
What Does Motor Oil Do?
Motor oil is essentially a lubricant for the internal workings of a combustion engine. More specifically, motor oil provides lubrication to reduce friction among engine parts, as well as keeping the engine clean, cool and protected.
The cleaning properties in motor oil are important. Every time a vehicle’s engine runs, motor oil collects the debris and by-products of the combustion in the engine. As this starts to build up, the oil can no longer function as well as it should and therefore begins to encounter issues. A driver may notice differences in vehicle performance, efficiency, and drive quality when this occurs for your motor oil.
Motor Oil: Regular or Synthetic
Not every motor oil is the same, however. There is the standard motor oil that is largely just a mixture of oil and some additives. In contrast, synthetic oil is made up of a larger number of substances, including base oils and additives (such as friction modifiers, corrosion inhibitors and anti-wear additives) that do more than just lubricate. In addition to lubrication, synthetic oil can:
- Enhance fuel efficiency
- Assist in protecting the emission system in a vehicle
- Provide protection to combustion engine from varying temperatures
- Cool engine parts and reduce engine wear
- Reduce friction among separate engine parts
Benefits of Synthetic Oil to All Drivers
Synthetic is certainly the popular choice among car owners and mechanics these days, as the specific combination of oils and additives provide significant benefits in addition to a longer life before needing to flush and replace the oil. This is partially due to synthetic oil’s ability to withstand both higher and lower temperatures.
For example, in cold temperatures regular motor oil has the tendency to thicken which causes it to be significantly less effective than at warmer temperatures. In contrast, synthetic oil is not as affected by cold temperatures, which means that there is less friction even when the engine is just started.
- Keep the engine clean for better performance
- Better operation under extreme conditions (including temperature and heavy towing loads)
- Extended engine life due to added protection
- Doubled service life in comparison to petroleum-based oils = approximately 7,000 to 15,000 miles.
- Superior performance limits compared to petroleum-based oils
The only major downside that many car owners notice for synthetic oil is the price. Because of the extra additives and added longevity of synthetic oil, the price of an oil change is typically higher. However, since synthetic motor oil can be used for a slightly higher amount of miles than typical motor oil, the price difference doesn’t work out to be that much higher in the long run.
The Importance of Motor Oil and Oil Changes
So, does motor oil deteriorate with time? The answer is a definite yes. And, because of that, maintenance of motor oil is needed for your vehicle. Motor oil is a non-negotiable service for your vehicle, whether you drive an Audi, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes. Get better fuel economy and car longevity when you keep up with your motor oil maintenance.
Not every vehicle and driver is in need of synthetic oil – it’s based both on the type of vehicle and the driver’s driving style. If you’re wondering if synthetic motor oil is better for your vehicle than the petroleum-based oil equivalent, come to our team to help determine which oil is best for your vehicle and driving habits.
For simple and quality motor oil replacement, visit us at AutoScope. AutoScope’s team of expert mechanics serves the Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Flower Mound, and Irving areas with high-quality auto service for European vehicles such as Audi, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes. We can help you keep up with regular maintenance schedules and get the most out of your vehicle.
Schedule your appointment with one of AutoScope’s dedicated mechanics today! Contact us online here to get started.