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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-04-12, Page 20(MS) -— Over the years, the automotive industry has undergone many changes, some of which have seemingly happened overnight. While station wagons used to be the car of choice for families, minivans and SUVs have now made those wood- panel wagons a distant memory. Another more subtle change has been the steady rise in the use of synthetic motor oil. While that change isn’t as noticeable to the naked eye as a road filled with small trucks or minivans, it’s nonetheless a change that more and more motorists are making. • Synthetic oils enhance vehicle performance. Whereas conventional lubricants are refined from crude oil that consists of thousands of types of molecules that each boast a different set of physical properties, synthetic oils are made by reacting specific chemicals with a catalyst. The outcome is a fluid with exceptional molecular uniformity, resulting in improved properties and performance when compared to its petroleum counterpart. Because of this uniformity, synthetic oils excel in reducing friction and wear, offer improved fuel economy and function in both high and low temperature extremes, far beyond conventional oils. • Synthetic motor oils are better for the environment. The environmental benefits of synthetic lubricants are most apparent when you consider their extended drain capabilities. High quality synthetic compressor oils last up to eight times longer than their petroleum counterparts. This means eight times less waste oil to dispose of. Synthetic motor oils for cars and light trucks have drain recommendations of two to 10 times conventional petroleum, depending on the product and the manufacturer. Fewer oil changes means less waste oil as well as less container waste disposal. However, motorists should know that synthetic motor oils require the same disposal care as traditional petroleum motor oils. In addition to drain capabilities, synthetic oils help the environment in other ways as well. For example, oil volatility is the measure of how susceptible an oil is to boil-off under high heat conditions. Most petroleum oils experience significant boil-off during high temperature engine operation and are expelled into the environment. The thicker oil left behind contributes to damaging deposits, sticky piston rings and oil blow-by, all contributing to reduced engine life, reduced fuel economy and drag on performance. Thanks to their relatively low volatility, synthetic oils are more impervious to this kind of degradation. • Synthetic motor oils can save you money. Though petroleum-based motor oils have an initial price advantage over synthetics, in the long run synthetic oils could save motorists a substantial amount of money. Consider that even the most expensive motor oil is cheaper than engine repairs caused by inadequate metal-to-metal protection or general lubricant failure. Synthetics have been proven to give superior year-round protection and performance. Furthermore, many motorists, upon evaluating their lubricant costs on a per year or per mile basis, rather than on the basis of cost per oil change, have found synthetic motor oils with extended drain intervals actually cost less than conventional motor oils. • Some manufacturers recommend the use of synthetics. Some vehicle owners fear synthetic motor oils might void their warranties. That’s not the case, and some manufacturers actually recommend the use of synthetic motor oils over conventional oils. In a typical warranty, manufacturers call for API SL-rated motor oil of specific viscosity grades and do not distinguish between conventional or synthetic lubricants. On the other hand, some high-performance cars are filled with synthetic motor oil at the factory and require the use of synthetics. • Synthetic lubricants can be used throughout the drivetrain. Along with synthetic greases, you can find synthetic gear lubes, transmission fluids and two cycle oils. Racers have seen increased horsepower throughout their equipment by using synthetics throughout the drivetrain. Synthetic lubricants should also be used in the transmission of your tow vehicles as well. Towing, whether boats or RVs, puts extra demands on transmissions, and petroleum transmission fluid breaks down more quickly under these conditions. Synthetic-based transmission fluids last up to twice as long as their conventional counterparts. PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007. 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