You may have heard of synthetic oil or seen ads for it on TV, but not many people really understand what it is. Here is everything you need to know about synthetic oil. Motor oil serves two purposes- to lubricate your engine to run more efficiently and to protect your engine from abrasion. Synthetic oil outperforms conventional oil on both fronts, and it is better for the environment.

Properties of Synthetic Oil

Synthetic Means Man-Made

Crude oil gets pumped from the ground and refined so you can use it in your engine. We all know the problems with refining, transporting, and burning oil. What you may not know is that crude contains many contaminants, even after the refining process, that can erode your engine over time. Because synthetics are man-made, they do not contain these natural contaminants.

Molecular Properties

Synthetic oil molecules can be perfected in the laboratory, whereas crude oil is simply an imperfect natural design. Nature's crude is not always ideal, so scientists design the molecular structure of synthetic oil for optimum performance. Synthetic molecules are smaller and lighter, requiring less energy to move around. They are also of uniform size, rubbing against each other more easily and lubricating better.

Customizable

Synthetic oil is customizable, meaning we can add properties to it that you will not find in natural crude. We can design synthetic oils with built-in additives that help keep your engine clean and maintain viscosity longer. All of this can be done in a laboratory, whereas we are largely stuck with what nature gave us with crude oil with all of its limitations.

History of Synthetic Oil: AMSOIL

Scientists began fabricating synthetic oils way back in the nineteenth century, but it was not until the 1930s that true breakthroughs were made. The strain on resources caused by World War II forced both sides to start looking earnestly for alternative options. Initially, aircraft purposes was the only use for synthetic oil, and it was in this capacity that a jet fighter squadron commander came across it in the 1960s. Al Amatuzio realized that synthetic oil lasted longer, protected better, and held up under harsher conditions than conventional oils. Aircraft needed the extra protection of synthetic oil, but Al thought its benefits could translate to the automotive market as well. In 1972, after years of research, he released a synthetic oil for cars under the brand name of AMSOIL. As the First in Synthetics, AMSOIL remains to this day the best-known name in synthetic oil. Nowadays, of course, AMSOIL does not just make synthetic oil, but offers a wide range of products to meet your automotive maintenance needs including filters, fluids, and additives. Call All Service Oil, your local AMSOIL Dealer in Minneapolis, MN, at (763) 257-3130 for more information.  

Benefits of Synthetic Oil in Minneapolis, MN

Better Temperature Range

Synthetic oil maintains its viscosity in extreme hot and cold where conventional oils are likely to break down. Viscosity measures the "thickness" of a liquid. Molasses, for example, has a much higher viscosity than water. Water's viscosity will not allow it to stick to anything, so it is a poor lubricant, while molasses is so thick that it does not move easily. Oil has a perfect viscosity for lubricating your engine, and ideally its viscosity would never change. When the temperature or the engine gets too hot or too cold, however, oil viscosity changes. The viscosity index, as in 10W-40 for example, represents the oil's range of viscosity when the temperature is normal and when the engine is running. Synthetic oil maintains viscosity at much higher and lower temperatures than conventional oil, so it is the best option for climates with extreme weather, like here in Minneapolis.

Higher Efficiency

Because synthetic oil molecules require less energy to move around, they use less fuel to lubricate your engine. This extra energy can go into your engine performance or gets saved in fuel efficiency. The result is an engine that is running better and using less fuel.

Lasts Longer

Synthetic oil is built tough, so it lasts longer than conventional oil. Indeed, synthetic oil can last as long as 25,000 miles before needing to be changed. The Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of the reserve alkalinity of a motor oil. The higher the number, the longer the oil will last. The bases in your motor oil protect your engine from the acidic components introduced from combustion and other sources. When an oil's alkalinity drops to a certain point, it no longer protects your engine and needs to be replaced. Synthetic oil is manufactured with alkaline additives built in, so it lasts much longer than standard oil.

A Greener Product

Synthetic oil is cleaner for the environment in many ways. First, it avoids all the hazards of oil drilling, refining, and transporting because it can be made in a laboratory. Second, less dirty oil is deposited into the environment since you do not need to replace it as often. And finally, it burns more efficiently, reducing emissions.

For Synthetic Oil in Minneapolis, MN

There are many other benefits to synthetic oil, and you can find out all about them from your local AMSOIL Dealer in Minneapolis, MN, All Service Oil. Call us at (763) 257-3130 with any questions you have. Visit our online store to shop our full range of products.