Over and over again, the question comes up, of whether it is better to use synthetic oil for high mileage cars, or whether to use regular oil.
The argument for synthetic oil is that it lasts longer and has a way of improving the efficiency of the engine it greases, whereas, all the regular oil simply does is the traditional greasing of engines as they function. So, is synthetic oil better for high mileage cars?
Yes, synthetic oil is better for high mileage cars because it provides better stability in chemical properties, lasts for a longer period, is good for long trips, it improves gas mileage, and also provides protection for the car engine.
What is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic oil is an engine lubricant that was made by experts, consisting of artificial chemical compounds. These artificial chemical compounds are produced from materials that were modified by chemicals like petroleum modules.
However, even though it consists of artificially modified materials, its primary material is still the usual distilled raw or crude oil. Also, there are other materials added, asides from artificial chemical compounds that are not known to the public. The combination of all these materials makes up what we all know as synthetic oil.
Synthetic oil help vehicles perform better by increasing the efficiency of their engines as a result of its high quality and more refined base oils. The oil is much more chemically stable and harder to wear off or break down than normal, regular oil.
Physically, there is no difference between synthetic oil and regular, traditional oil. The only major difference is the difference in materials that exist in both oils.
Experts, trying to control and better the petroleum-based regular oil added a few more man-made, artificial chemical materials to change the properties of the oil, reduce its stickiness or thickness under low temperatures and increase its stickiness or thickness under high temperatures.
This then brought about the creation of synthetic oil. This means the synthetic oil’s properties differ from those of regular oil.
Several artificial additives in synthetic oil are absent in the regular oil, and these additives make the synthetic oil a much better option for greasing vehicles generally, whether they are high mileage vehicles, old vehicles, or low mileage vehicles.
Is Synthetic Oil Better for High Mileage Cars?
Yes, synthetic oil is better for high mileage cars. Synthetic oil, usually called full synthetic oil as well, is a better option for high mileage cars than regular oil.
This is because synthetic oil provides better stability in chemical properties, lasts for a longer period, is good for going on longer journeys without you having to worry about greasing your car, it improves gas mileage, and it also provides protection for the engine of your vehicle.
With synthetic oil, there is a lower probability that your car will consume a lot of fuel as it is well greased and functions a lot more effectively.
Full synthetic oil will always be a better option for your high-mileage vehicle. Traditionally, the belief going around is that synthetic oil will have a bad effect on the rubber surfaces and seals of a high mileage vehicle, making them break down and less effective, but this is not true.
Synthetic oil will provide better protection, cause lesser friction in the engines of your car, last longer, and increase the performance of your engine. This is why it is highly recommended for high-end, high-performance cars.
Benefits of Synthetic Oil
The advantages of using a full synthetic oil to a high mileage car are:
1. It Provides Better Protection
It provides better and more assured protection for the engine of your car, increasing its working integrity. The high speed of cars requires it to have a better greasing system, and the synthetic oil, being the one responsible for the moving parts on parts, making connections with different parts of the vehicle will ensure that it is little or no friction between these parts, making your vehicle better protected.
2. It Lasts Longer
As a result of the additives, the artificial chemical components added to the synthetic oil, make the oil last much longer, freeing you of worries about replacing the oil for a longer period. With synthetic oil, you can go longer hours, drive longer distances without thinking about replacing your oil.
3. Its Cleaner than Regular Oil
Clean oil makes for a clean engine. Unlike regular oil, synthetic oil is very clear and very clean. You can easily spot dirt inside a bottle of synthetic oil and extract it before greasing your car.
Since the oil is clean, then your engine will also be clean, and it will reduce the messiness and stickiness around your car’s engine, making it more efficient.
4. It Enhanced Stability and Viscosity
Viscosity is the ability of the oil to thicken in high temperatures and soften in low temperatures. It helps for the stability of the vehicle, irrespective of the temperature it is experiencing at a particular time.
5. It Improves All-round Performance of Vehicle
With its great performance characteristics, synthetic oil improves the performance of the vehicle. With cleaner properties that can ensure a lasting greased engine and also stability amid temperature changes, your vehicle will continue to perform at a higher level than it would have if it was using regular oil. To avoid car shaking terribly while you drive.
Can I Put Synthetic Oil in My Car After Using Regular Oil?
Yes, you can put synthetic oil in your car even after using regular oil. If there is no more regular oil, and you don’t have any other option, it is okay to top up the regular oil with synthetic oil. There is no rule that is against doing it.
They have no bearing and won’t react against one another since they are both made of the same materials, crude oil, and several additives. Therefore, they are compatible, and you can use them together.
Does Synthetic Oil Prolong Engine Life?
Yes, synthetic oil can prolong engine life. Since synthetic oil protects the engine, improving lubrication and making the engine cleaner, this protection can certainly lead to an increased lifespan of the engine. With synthetic oil, you get better oil, and your vehicle gets a better, longer-lasting engine.
Final Thoughts
Although synthetic oil is much more expensive than the normal, traditional oil, as a driver, if you can afford to go for synthetic oil instead of regular oil, then you should.
It gives your engine more integrity, increases its efficiency, makes sure your engine is more protected, improves lubrication, ensures stability, and generally enhances the overall performance of your vehicle.
With this information, the question beckons again; is synthetic oil better for high mileage cars? Yes, it is, and not just for high mileage cars, but for any and every other vehicle.