Should I Use Synthetic Oil In My New Car?

Many drivers are unsure whether they should use synthetic oil in their new cars. Synthetic oil has a number of pluses over regular oil: it can maintain integrity in heat; lubricates better; has fairly good purity; and rarely ever becomes sludge, even after abuse. Most drivers will see the obvious benefits synthetic oil has to offer and decide to use it in their car. However, even with the synthetic oil's numerous benefits, the real difference is made in how you care for your car.

To start with, do you change your oil regularly? Oil needs to be changed before it breaks down and puts your engine at risk. But if you're good at changing your oil on time every 3-5k miles, you'll never experience one of the benefits of synthetic oil. Synthetic is resistant to breaking down, even after extended use. For instance, if you forget an oil change, or even if you just put one off for a few weeks, synthetic is the best oil to have in your engine. But if you're changing your oil regularly and at the proper mileage, you'll never be in a situation where your engine is at risk from worn-out oil.

Synthetic oil can last a long time without deteriorating. If you're changing your car oil based on mileage, then switching to synthetic could save you money. Regular oil needs to be replaced after 6 months or after 5K miles. If you drive less than that distance in 6 months, then you're not getting the full mileage out of your oil. Switching to synthetic oil which lasts for a longer amount of money will help you get the most out of each oil change. You might save money by having to change your oil less frequently, and you'll definitely save time.

Synthetic oil can withstand heat better than regular, which is one of the most common reasons people have for switching to synthetic. Regular oil starts to break down as the temperature increases, and continues to deteriorate as it gets hotter. If you regularly put your engine into situations where it will be in high heat, synthetic will help protect your engine against damage. Idling your engine for long periods of time and driving in high temperatures or altitudes will overheat your engine. Hot climates and thin mountain air won't cool your vehicle's engine very well, so people living in these climates should definitely consider synthetic oil. High performance vehicles will also benefit from synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is often recommended even to people who don't especially need it. Synthetic is recommended for people driving in stop-and-go traffic, but that's everyone at some point in time. The recommendation should only really apply to those who drive everyday in stop-and-go traffic for long enough for the car engine's cooling fan to turn on. Drivers who only use their cars only for short trips are also advised to use synthetic oil in order to protect. However, short trips will be bad for your engine no matter what oil you decide to do, since your engine was really designed to run for at least 20 minutes at a time. Using synthetic instead of regular oil in this situation might make a difference, but it'll be a very minor change.

If you determine that one of the above situations applies to you, take care when you purchase synthetic oil. Many places will suggest a synthetic blend as a way to save money (instead of full-synthetic), but the "blend" is oftentimes a mystery. Maybe you're getting a 50-50 blend, or maybe you're getting 1% synthetic and 99% regular oil. My recommendation is to go full synthetic or not bother with it - unless the blend suggested is provided and produced by your vehicle's manufacturer.

Last but not least, what do auto manufacturers have to say about synthetics? Most state that "any oil that meets API standard specifications can be used in your vehicle." That means normal oil is just fine. For most people, new cars will operate for a very long time without the benefit of synthetic oil so long as they are properly maintained and used normally.

Article by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 13 | Word Count: 689

About the Author

Author Jason Lancaster, a car business veteran, created AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate car buying tips and auto advice.