Synthetic oil, unlike conventional oil, is made artificially, they are not made from crude oil but from modified chemical petroleum components.
Over the years, synthetic oil has been used in vehicles either because it is recommended by the manufacturer or because the car owner decides to switch to it.
As a result of the many benefits of using synthetic oil, people use it in high mileage vehicles but some people are of the opinion that once you switch to using synthetic oil in your engine, you can’t go back to using regular oil. This however isn’t true.
Can you Switch to Synthetic Oil with High Mileage?
Yes, you can switch to synthetic oil in a high-mileage vehicle although it isn’t advisable to do so in older vehicles.
Some people have decided to switch to synthetic oil in their high-mileage engines because of the many benefits of the oil. Before switching, however, you should be aware of the risks that come with doing so.
In order to switch to synthetic oil in high mileage cars without any problems, there are steps that you should follow to reduce or prevent any risks.
It is important to know that despite the possibility of switching to synthetic oil with high mileage car, you shouldn’t do so in all cars.
Some cars will not work effectively if do not use the recommended oil while older cars generally do not work well with synthetic oil.
Is Synthetic Oil Good for Cars with High Mileage?
Yes and No. There is no one answer to whether synthetic oil is better for high mileage cars.
Whether it is better depends on the type of synthetic oil you are using (semi or full) and if the car is older or new. However, synthetic oil is regarded as high mileage oil.
If you are using full synthetic oil, it is considered to be good for high mileage cars while semi-synthetic oil will not make the car run well.
Full synthetic oil is said to be better because you do not have to worry about engine wear and tear and it definitely performs better than semi-synthetic oil.
Will Synthetic Oil Damage a High-Mileage Engine?
No, synthetic oil will not damage a high-mileage engine if the oil is gotten from a reliable source and the car is not old.
As a matter of fact, there is synthetic oil specially designed for high-mileage engines. The oil in this case is produced with an extra seal conditioner that protects the engine seal from getting worn out.
However, if the car is older or the oil is not compatible with the engine seal type, damage can be done to the engine.
Some engine seal does not support synthetic oil and doing so will only cause damage and even leakage as a result of residue cleanup by the oil.
Also, if a car engine is designed to use non-synthetic oil and you use synthetic oil, the damage will be done to the engine.
Pros of Switching to Synthetic Oil in Higher Mileage Vehicles
The advantages of switching to synthetic oil in higher mileage vehicles are:
1. It Keeps the Engine Running for a Much Longer
One advantage of switching to synthetic oil is that it keeps the engine running for longer. This is because synthetic oil doesn’t break down easily in the engine all things being equal.
The conditioning agent and additives used in the oil in a way help to make the engine last longer.
2. It Reduces Engine Wear
Unlike regular oil, using synthetic oil in the engine helps to reduce the rate at which it wears out.
Some parts of an engine like the seal can easily wear out if conventional or regular oil is used but the same cannot be said of synthetic oil, because of its level of effectiveness, it keeps all engine parts from wearing out quickly.
3. It Doesn’t Form Sludge
Synthetic oil doesn’t form sludge in the engine rather it breaks up and dissolves sludge formed by other oils.
Sludge are formed when oil breaks down, it tends to block oil passages and can lead to an engine going off quicker than it should.
Cons of Switching to Synthetic Oil in Higher Mileage Vehicles
The disadvantages of switching to synthetic oil in higher mileage vehicles are:
- Clears Out Useful Deposits in the Engine: Although sludge are said to be bad because they block oil passages, they also have some advantages. In older cars, sludge helps to keep the engine sealed tightly. Using synthetic oil in such engines will break down the sludge thereby leaving the engine seal susceptible to damage.
- Causes Leakages: Switching to synthetic oil could also cause leakage in the engine, especially in older cars. This is because the engine seals in older cars are not as strong as they used to be therefore, they won’t be able to handle the additives in the oil. A broken seal will result in oil leakage.
Why Can’t You Go Back to Regular Oil After Synthetic?
Whether you can go back to regular oil after synthetic is a myth that some people find to be true and others untrue.
Some are of the opinion that going back to regular oil after synthetic will change the engine performance.
Other than a possible change in engine performance, there are no other effects of going back to regular oil.
There are only slight differences between regular and synthetic oil since both are made with lubricants that help to keep the engine performing smoothly.
In summary, you can go back to regular oil after synthetic oil, no harm will be done.
Do You Get Better Mileage with Synthetic Oil?
Yes, you can get better gas mileage with synthetic oil depending on your type of vehicle and how sound the engine is.
Synthetic oil helps you get better gas mileage by reducing viscosity. The lower the viscosity of the oil, the more easily it flows and it easily flows and pumps through the engine thereby offering reduced resistance to its moving parts and increasing fuel economy. When engine parts aren’t forcibly functioning, less oil is consumed.
Conclusion
It is worth noting that some vehicles will not perform well with synthetic oil therefore before switching to synthetic oil check your owner’s manual. Checking the owner’s manual is a way to know what oil is recommended for use by the manufacturer.
