Technological advances in the auto industry haven’t just been happening to car parts. In fact, specially designed products that are molecularly engineered and far purer than conventional motor oils are now readily offered.
All that high tech effort does come with some reported benefits—but is synthetic motor oil really that much better than the regular stuff? Here’s a quick look at the benefits and drawbacks of both options for aspiring mechanics.
Pros with Auto Mechanic Careers Know Synthetic Oil Is Good for Performance and Longevity
Modern synthetic oils begin, like conventional oils, as a raw extract taken from the ground. However, there are a multitude of processes that this extract is then subjected to. These processes are designed to create a far more engineered product, which interacts with a vehicle’s engine in a much more efficient manner than standard oil.
The benefits offered by synthetic oil include a far more reduced likelihood of the formation of engine “sludge” or oil deposits that can affect the engine’s long-term performance. Synthetic oils have also been proven to positively impact the efficiency of an engine by reducing the overall resistance of moving parts, resulting in overall better output and reduced wear and tear on components. For these reasons, many mechanics consider synthetic oil an excellent option for any car owner who cares about longevity.
Synthetic Oil Also Offers Several Other Benefits, Too!
Anyone who wants to become a mechanic might already know that oil changes should be carried out every 5,000km, or every three months on a well-driven car. However, that’s for conventional oil. An additional benefit of synthetic oil is that it reduces the frequency of oil changes required.
Synthetics can happily lubricate and last in a vehicle for upwards of 10,000 km. This raises the prospect of a vehicle potentially only needing a handful of oil changes in its working life—music to the ears of many busy drivers. Furthermore, synthetic oils have been proven to provide better fluidity and better engine protection on start-up in cold weather conditions, which is a benefit that doesn’t go unnoticed during the winter!
Become a Mechanic and You’ll Soon Spot Synthetic Oil’s Main Downside: Cost
The reason that conventional oil is still very much a presence in the auto care market is largely the same reason that more basic products persist in any market: the limits that consumers are willing to pay to meet minimum needs. At the end of the day, opting for a synthetic oil change can cost twice as much as regular oil. It’s a cost that those with auto mechanic careers know will be hard to swallow for many car owners.
The maintenance appeal of synthetics also declines sharply when servicing an older vehicle that’s been driven on conventional oil long-term and has already racked up serious mileage. Other experts point out that changing to synthetic oils is a bad idea for brand new cars, which will contain factory-provided oil to “break in” the engine. Some will even recommend waiting until after the car has been driven for 8,000 km before any change is made to the oil. While synthetic oil results in evident benefits to a mechanic’s expert eye, for owners the choice will really depend on the vehicle in question, and their evaluation of the costs associated with this newer product.
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