Is Synthetic Oil Better?

If I've heard one discussion as to whether synthetic oil is better than regular oil I've heard thousands. When it comes to synthetic oil vs. regular oil everybody has their own opinion. To help you form your own, here are some facts.

Synthetic oil is a lubricant just like the regular "run of the mill" motor oil we have been using for decades to reduce the wear and tear of our car, truck and motorcycle engine and transmission parts. However, where regular oil is fossil based often referred to as "dead dinosaur oil" is refined from petroleum, synthetic oil is composed of various compounds including Synthetic Esters, Polyalphaolefin, Hydrocracked/Hydroisomerized based oils.

Other than the fact we are rapidly running out of the old-fashioned kind, there are other reasons to use the manmade version. For one thing, there is little argument that synthetic oil is best at extremely high temperatures where regular motor oil has a tendency to gum up in the motor which as we know, will eventually build up to the point that the flow of oil slows to a crawl and then stops altogether increasing friction.

The friction will in turn increase the engine's bore size resulting in a poor running engine and excessive oil burning. For this reason research began as early as the 1930s and 40s to develop a synthetic lubricant that would prove to be a longer lasting, less problematic lubrication for aircraft engines enabling them to start more readily in cold conditions and eliminate undesirable soot deposits in the oil cooler radiator during World War II.

Research continued on throughout the decades of the fifties and sixties and finally in the early 70s the years of experimentation paid off and the first synthetic motor oil produced to the 10w-40 grade became available to the public.

REASONS SYNTHETIC OIL IS BETTER
There are many reasons to answer YES when asked "Is Synthetic Oil Best" and here are a few reasons why:
Ideal viscosity is steady at both high and temperaturesSludge, which is a common occurrence in regular oils at high temperature is decreasedLess loss due to evaporationSynthetic oil change intervals are more user friendlyBetter lubrication in cold conditionsLess buildup equals less engine wear Diehard fans of regular motor oil are always quick to point out the disadvantages of synthetic oil but the truth is that most drawbacks are invalid due to improved engine designs as well as the modern fuel refinements. In fact, the majority of late model automobiles roll out of the factories with their engines and transmission filled with synthetic oil.

Evo Cummings is an avid motorcycle enthusiast and is the owner of a bike building, customizing and repair shop which has produced more than one award winning custom built motorcycle.
Many of the custom bikes made at his business and an ongoing diary of the activities of this motorcycle shop are featured in his freelance articles and at his website, GoGoCycles.com. Use of this article requires an active link to Strike Lightning Motorcycles for Sale.


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