LO 10-4 Describe the composition of synthetic oil and outline the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic oil

Benefits of Synthetic Oil

Manufacturers claim the following benefits for synthetic oils:

• Lower coefficient of friction (slipperier): Users of synthetic oil have claimed increases in their fuel mileage ranging from 2–5%.
• Improved low-temperature viscosities: Conventional oils tend to include wax molecules that thicken oil at lower temperatures. Typical synthetic 15W-40 oil remains a liquid and flows even at −58° F (−50° C).
• Improved high-temperature performance: Synthetic oils have few light or thin hydrocarbon molecules, which tend to evaporate at high temperatures.
• Greater resistance to chemical breakdown, oxidation, coking, and deposit formation.
• Decreased oil consumption: When synthetic oil is used, 42% less oil consumption occurs. This is due to less evaporation of the thin ends of hot oil and resistance to converting to deposit formation.
• Fewer chemical impurities: This means additives do not adversely react with impurities, prolonging the usefulness of the additive package.
• Reduced friction and engine wear because of a lower coefficient of friction.
• Longer intervals between oil changes due to higher resistance to oxidation TABLE 10-4.