Anytime there is anything new that enters the consumer market, you will have your believers and non-believers. Synthetic lubrication is no different from any other new item to hit the market. With anything new, people have a tendency to believe whatever the manufacturer claims the product can do, much like the magic elixirs that were sold by snake oil salesman in the old days.
The difference today is you have any information you want at your fingertips, allowing you to research a product for yourself before you try it. If something is too good to be true, chances are it is, but the more educated you are about a product the better decision you can make to try it or not.
Stating the facts and dispelling the myths
There are many facts and myths about synthetic lubrication, which with a little research can be proved or disproved. Unfortunately, even mechanics have been drawn into some of the misconceptions as the public about synthetic lubrication as well, so they may not even be able to help you make an educated decision. In the case of synthetic lubrication, most of the negative points that are circulating about it are untrue, but without a little research, you may be swayed against it when it really could be as good as it is claimed to be. On the other hand, you may believe that it is the best thing for your car, and then realize it may not be. Doing your own research and making your own judgment is the easiest way to know that you have made a decision you are happy with.
One of the important facts to remember about synthetic lubricants is that they are manufactured from organic compounds that are chemically rearranged to produce the ideal lubricant. To make a more common comparison, it is like sugar versus artificial sweetener. Artificial sweetener contains the same molecular compounds as real sugar, yet they care chemically altered to change some of the effects sugar has on the body. Synthetic oil is created through the same process. They are simple taking what nature has provided and improving on it, creating the ideal lubricant. In addition, all oils are independently tested to make sure that they live up to their claims.
As I mentioned before, most of the negative arguments about synthetic oil are simply myths. One of the most common myths is that synthetic oil damages seals. This one really does not require any research, just a little common sense. What benefit would an oil company get by producing something that causes damage, none, so this is not true. Some people think that synthetic lubricants are too thin in consistency to work as well as regular oil. This again, is not the case. All oil, whether synthetic or regular must follow a certain criteria to be considered a specific grade, so 10W-40 in synthetic oil is exactly the same viscosity, or thickness, as 10W-40 in regular oil. Another concern many people have is the synthetic oil not being compatible with any residual regular oil that may remain in the engine during an oil change. This is another myth, at least today it is. When synthetic oils were first introduced, some brands contained components that would cause them to separate from regular oil. As more research was done and the synthetic oil perfected, this is no longer a problem. Today there are even synthetic blends available that are a combination of regular and synthetic oil. Perhaps the biggest myth is that synthetic oil will void your warranty. This could not be farther from the truth; in fact, some manufacturer’s now recommend synthetic oil to prolong the life of the engine. These are only a few of the myths associated with synthetic oil, an online search will provide you with many more. Take the time to read them and make sure you find both sides of the argument. With a little research, you can decide, based on facts if synthetic oil is right for you.
Be an educated consumer
Since synthetic oil appeared on the market, manufacturers have tried to educate the public to give them all the facts and dispel all the myths. Like any other new product, it usually has to cross the hurdle of gaining consumers trust before the public accepts it. Consumers need to base their decisions on the benefit of a product, not just the price. If something is expensive, it does not necessarily mean it is the best, and just because it is inexpensive does not mean it is inferior. It is predicted at some point that all vehicles will be using synthetic oil, until then, do your research and make the decision for yourself based on facts.