Understanding the Performance Benefits of Synthetic Oils over Conventional Oils

In today’s day and age, slapping the term “synthetic” on something often implies the quality is sub-par in some way. The general mode of thought is that it might be close in terms of texture and feel, but the “real thing” is almost always better. So, it’s only natural to wonder if this same thinking applies to motor oils.

If you’re the type to read labels, then you’ve likely seen that motor oils can be listed as conventional or synthetic – with the vast majority falling into the latter camp. The high popularity of synthetic oils isn’t on account of it being cheaper to produce and “nearly” as good as conventional options. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: Synthetic motor oils are favored for their ability to perform a lot of things better than conventional motor oils.

You shouldn’t just take anyone’s word for it, though. Knowing why synthetic oils are generally better for your engine is useful information to help you make an educated decision whenever its time to service it.

What’s the Difference Between Conventional and Synthetic Oils?

The differences between synthetic and conventional motor oils are found on a molecular level. Every manufacturer has its own process and proprietary additive packs used to further manipulate oil performance. However, the primary differences between the two types of oils come back to the molecular structure.

Conventional oils, while heavily refined and engineered to perform under specific circumstances, exist much closer to their natural state. This means the molecular structure is chaotic and prone to containing impurities that can limit engine performance.

Synthetic oils, by contrast, are chemically engineered to have a uniform molecular structure. This uniformity allows the oil to perform much more predictively under the various conditions found in an engine. Higher purity is also a benefit that helps extend oil performance and, thereby, engine life.

What Does This Mean for My Engine?

Talking about molecular structures might sound cool, and it gives anyone mentioning it some form of credibility (or so it would seem) but it does little to actually elaborate on how synthetic oil is better. So, let’s lay out the benefits of synthetic motor oil in layman’s terms:

• Extended Wear Protection. Oils break down over time, and that is partly why they must be replaced. Synthetic oils take longer to break down, extending oil life.

• Better Stability Under High Heat. Synthetic oils retain stability under high heat. This allows them to provide your engine with better protection under hard driving.

• Better Flow at Low Temperatures. All liquids thicken up and flow poorly as temperatures drop. Synthetic oils stay closer to their original state than conventional oils will, providing better year-round protection.

• Clean is Smooth and Smooth is Fast. The purity and additives of synthetic oils make them better at reducing carbon deposits and sludge formation. These characteristics alone will vastly improve engine life, performance, and even economy.

It’s Still Important to Pick the Right Oil

Don’t fall under the assumption that these general guidelines mean all conventional or synthetic oils are the same. What makes a good oil goes far beyond just the basic type that’s used.

An unfortunate truth is that only a small amount of motor oil needs to be synthetic for someone to slap that term on the bottle. Furthermore, the additive packs used are just as important to performance as anything else. That’s why you shouldn’t grab just anything off the shelf and throw it in an engine you care about. You really want to take your time and research what you’re using to get the most out of your engine.

A safe bet is always to go with the first. Valvoline is the oldest name in the business – and its founder, John Ellis, is actually credited with inventing motor oil way back in 1866. Suffice it to say, the folks over there know a thing or two about keeping an engine lubricated.

Valvoline = 24X Stronger Protection

In side-by-side comparison tests, Valvoline full synthetic motor oils provide 24X stronger protection against engine-killing contaminants than the industry-leading full synthetic motor oil. These contaminants – namely, water, fuel, and ethanol – can lead to poor lubrication, corrosion, and increased friction which could, in turn, result in catastrophic engine failure.

“At the end of the day, the motor oil circulating in your engine drains back into your oil pan and sits there,” says Dr. Michael D. Warholic, Valvoline Senior Technology Manager for Light Duty Lubricants. “Water is heavier than oil, so if it separates from the oil, it sinks to the bottom of the pan. When you start your car in the morning, the first thing your oil pump sees could be water, which is a terrible lubricant.”

You can see why it’s so important for your engine’s oil to properly emulsify water, fuel, and ethanol to keep the mixture from separating. Through a series of exhaustive in-house tests at Valvoline’s New Product Laboratory and complimentary testing at an independent third-party laboratory, Valvoline’s scientists were able to demonstrate a 24X improvement in emulsion stability versus the leading synthetic.

In layman’s terms? Valvoline’ full synthetic motor oil didn’t just keep those contaminants from separating – it surpassed the industry minimum requirements (by a substantial amount of time) and proved Valvoline’s claim to 24X stronger protection.

To learn more about what’s going on in your engine and how Valvoline can help, head to https://www.valvoline.com.