Hello fellow BITOG members!
I'm Chris, and I've been around cars for most of my life. However, I have a few questions on certain aspects of engine oils that I'd love your input on. It's always great to get a range of perspectives from the wealth of knowledge on this forum.
Chris
I'm Chris, and I've been around cars for most of my life. However, I have a few questions on certain aspects of engine oils that I'd love your input on. It's always great to get a range of perspectives from the wealth of knowledge on this forum.
- Conventional vs. Synthetic Oil: I understand that there's been a considerable shift from conventional to synthetic oils over the past couple of decades. The science of it still eludes me though, so I'm hoping someone could clarify what the actual benefits and upsides are for each type.
From what I've read, conventional oil comes from refined crude oil and is suitable for normal, everyday driving conditions. It's cheaper and gets the job done. On the other hand, synthetic oil, created through a synthetic process, seems to be resistant to high temperatures, provides better engine protection and performance, and flows better in cold temperatures. It's more expensive, though. I'm wondering if there are more specific benefits or drawbacks to each that I should consider?
- High Mileage Motor Oils and Seal Conditioners: Now, this is something I've always wondered about. How exactly are high mileage motor oils made differently compared to their regular counterparts, and what are these "seal conditioners" they often mention?
My guess is that high mileage oils have additives that help preserve and protect the engine components, but I'd love to know more. Are there significant benefits to switching to high mileage oil once your vehicle crosses a certain mileage?
- Oil Change Interval: Lastly, I'm curious about the ideal oil change interval. I know that the common recommendation is every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for conventional oil and 7,500 to 10,000 miles for synthetic. But what if our primary concern is maximum wear protection and engine longevity? Would the interval be different in this case?
Chris