Synthetic Oil - Factory

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

> From: "Meron" <phwomp@cosmoslink.net>

Original title: "Synthetic MYTH"

[snip]
> Do any of you
> know of an OEM automotive that uses and recommend synthetic oil for the
> engine? is it that we are the only ones that are discovering the benefits
> of synthetic oils and the OEM are stupid to follow us?
> Avi Meron
> 86 5K cstq

Most of the smart car enthusiasts I know who are technically sharp 
SWEAR by synthetic oil.  This is true in the autocrossing circles 
down here, and among those on the Datsun/Nissan Z-car list, which is 
my other automotive hangout.  LOTS of synthetic users!

As has been pointed out here, synthetics are *required* to keep the 
warranty in force on the Corvette, and this has been true for at 
least three years.  I recently heard of two additional cars which 
require synthetics as per the manufacturer's specs.  I believe that 
one is the RX-7, but can't swear to it.  I also think the other was a 
BMW model.  Can't swear to either, sorry...BUT....

The reason is simple: the synthetic IS A BETTER LUBRICANT.  I freely 
grant you that all modern motor oils are excellent lubricants and 
vehicles driven using them are capable of traveling hundreds of 
thousands of miles.  No one HAS to use synthetics.  They are a 
judgement call based on knowledge and your driving situation.

However, the facts are:

1)  Synthetic is a better heat dispersant.  This is a critically 
important factor in high performance engines, especially turbo 
engines.

2)  Synthetics are engineered so that the polymer chains stand up to 
physical pounding longer and break down later than petro oils.  This 
may not be a factor in engines run 3K miles between oil changes. but 
what if the engine is overheated?  What if a component is marginal?  
What if the drain plug falls out?  Synthetics give one an edge.  

3)  Synthetics are less volatile under engine heat conditions. Under 
the normal engine heat cycles EVEN at 3K change intervals, the 
synthetic will lose significantly less (and I mean this both in
scientific statistical terms and in the common-sense use of 
"significant") of the volatile constituents in the oil. The result is 
that at the oil change, the synthetic is still flowing correctly and 
behaving as it was designed to.  The petro-oil has lost volatility 
and is no longer behaving in the same way it was when new.  Fact.  
Under extended oil change intervals, this becomes a very important 
consideration.  (But no one on this list EVER forgets to change their 
oil for 2 or 3K extra miles, right???)

4)  Synthetics perform significantly (both meanings intended again) 
better in flowing at low temperatures than petro-oil.  If you believe 
that much engine wear occurs at start-up, I would think you would 
beat a path to a store for synthetic oil when the temperature drops 
under 30 degrees or so.

Having said all this - there are reasons that Car & Driver magazine 
(not a paragon of all knowledge, but their technical people do 
understand cars reasonably well) said, in one of the first articles 
which mentioned the Corvette's use of synthetic oil, suggested 
(opined, I suppose I should say) that within 10 years, it was likely 
that many or all new cars would require synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is NOT a myth.  It out-performs petroleum oil in most 
respects.  My position is that the only question to be debated is 
whether the owner feels that the extra short-term cost of running 
synthetic oil is justified **for his or her vehicular application**.  
Barring specific mechanical problems or bad luck, petro-oil is great 
stuff.  But given some mechanical problems or bad luck, synthetic oil 
can provide a valuable edge.  Running a car to 100K or 200K miles is 
such a situation...in which synthetics give one an edge.  Not a 
miracle cure, an edge.

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Al Powell                        Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.          Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843      
Http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm

"Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the
sun...but I have never been able to see the numbers."
             [From 5th/6th grade essays....]