Quote:
Originally Posted by Prius2Camry
I do not use synthetic oil because I do not drive my hybrid every day or two. Synthetic oils are so slippery that if a vehicle sits unstarted for 3 or more days, the oil will drain off those critical and not quite so critical parts. The thought of starting the ICE without many of the parts being properly lubricated makes me shudder! Can you say rapid, excessive engine wear?
|
Synthetic Oil is synthetically blended hydrocarbons that is virtually identicle chemically to Fossil / Dino / (insert your favorite term) oil with the exception of having less impurities and inert ingredients in it.
Synthetic oil is more stabile over a more broad temperature range since its blending can be controlled to a far greater degree.
Synthetic oils viscosity index improvers are blended in during the process of it's creation rather than after is being refined.
Synthetic oil will cling longer to metal than will it's non-synthetic counterpart due to it's smaller and more precise molecular makeup.
This makes synthetic lubricants more resistant to dry starts than non-synthetic lubricants.
This came from a senior petro-chemical engineer for Ashland Oil Company. The oils they blend are sold under a variety of labels. The most common are Valvoline and Quaker State (licensed producer).
My money's on Synthetics. I use them exclusively in my racecars and street driven vehicles. Matter of fact, I've even taken to using synthetics in my Air-Compressors in the shop and trailer.