- Synthetic motor oil is an entirely man-made substitute for traditional petroleum motor oil. Rather than using a petroleum base for the oil, synthetic motor oil bases are man-made. Lubricants such as methane GTL (gas-to-liquid), polyalphaolefins and esters are used. Because synthetic oil is entirely man-made, its production can be highly controlled to produce oil that withstands extreme temperatures more effectively than petroleum-based motor oil.
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Synthetic oil and conventional oil after use. Synthetic has no sludge.Synthetic motor oil is a popular alternative to petroleum-based motor oil because it is often less expensive. When the price of petroelum goes up, so does the price of all things made with petroelum, including motor oil--so when there is a shortage of petroleum or the price escalates, synthetic oil becomes a better, more economical choice.
Another advantage of synthetic oil is that it can withstand extreme temperatures better than traditional motor oil which, in turn, causes less wear and tear on the engine.
Vehicles using synthetic oil can also extend the time in between oil changes. Petroleum-based motor oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles or so, while synthetic oil can last between 10,000-15,000 miles before an oil change. Synthetic oil is also shown to reduce engine sludge. - The decision to switch from using petroleum-based motor oil to synthetic oil is completely up to the vehicle owner. Many people believe that synthetic oil is a better option because it can prolong the life of and protects the engine more effectively than traditional motor oil. Making the switch is as easy as telling the repair shop that changes the oil in the vehicle to start using a synthetic oil. Or, if the owner changes the oil at home, she can just purchase synthetic oil instead of traditional oil.
