Your motor oil serves two main functions: to lubricate your engine to run smoother and to protect your engine from corrosion and abrasion. Synthetic oil is the best at both of these functions, and here is why.

AMSOIL: The First in Synthetics

Although various forms of synthetic oil were researched since the 1890s, it was the heavy resource toll of World War II that really heralded the beginning for synthetics. Both sides in the war employed synthetic oil in aircraft, and it remained exclusively for aviation purposes until the 1970s. Seeing the benefits of synthetic oils, a jet fighter squadron commander, Al Amatuzio, began to develop a synthetic oil for the general public. After years of research and development, in 1972, AMSOIL released the first synthetic oil for automobiles. Call your local AMSOIL Dealer in Ann Arbor, MI, Dwight Smith, at (702) 561-3706 to find out more.

Properties of Synthetic Oil

What Al saw in aviation was that synthetic oil protected better, lasted longer, and was more efficient than conventional oil. Rather than pulling petroleum from the ground and refining it, Al designed a synthetic lubricant in the lab. The product had molecules that were free of crude, more uniform, smaller, and lighter than natural petroleum. Synthetic oil required less energy to lubricate, improving engine performance. It did not break down in extreme conditions, and could last as long as 25,000 miles without replacement.

Natural vs Man-Made

Usually, natural products are better, but when it comes to petroleum, that is clearly not the case. Drilling and refining crude oil are very taxing on the natural environment, but synthetic oil is made in laboratories.

Uniform Molecules of Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oil molecules are uniform, so they slide against each other and your engine parts more easily. This makes sure that your entire engine is protected from friction and rust.

Smaller ; Lighter Molecules

Molecules in synthetic oil are also smaller and lighter, requiring less energy to move inside your engine. As a result, your engine uses less fuel.

Benefits of Synthetic Oil in Ann Arbor, MI

Better Temperature Range

Synthetic oil maintains its viscosity in extreme hot and cold where conventional oils are likely to break down. Viscosity measures the "thickness" of a liquid. Molasses, for example, has a much higher viscosity than water. Water's viscosity will not allow it to stick to anything, so it is a poor lubricant, while molasses is so thick that it does not move easily. Oil has a perfect viscosity for lubricating your engine, and ideally its viscosity would never change. When the temperature or the engine gets too hot or too cold, however, oil viscosity changes. The viscosity index, as in 10W-40 for example, represents the oil's range of viscosity when the temperature is normal and when the engine is running. Synthetic oil maintains viscosity at much higher and lower temperatures than conventional oil, so it is the best option for climates with extreme weather, like here in Ann Arbor.

Higher Efficiency

Because synthetic oil molecules require less energy to move around, they use less fuel to lubricate your engine. This extra energy can go into your engine performance or gets saved in fuel efficiency. The result is an engine that is running better and using less fuel.

Lasts Longer

Synthetic oil is built tough, so it lasts longer than conventional oil. Indeed, synthetic oil can last as long as 25,000 miles before needing to be changed. The Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of the reserve alkalinity of a motor oil. The higher the number, the longer the oil will last. The bases in your motor oil protect your engine from the acidic components introduced from combustion and other sources. When an oil's alkalinity drops to a certain point, it no longer protects your engine and needs to be replaced. Synthetic oil is manufactured with alkaline additives built in, so it lasts much longer than standard oil.

Environmental Benefits of Synthetic Oil

No More Drills, No More Spills

Synthetic oil gets produced in a lab, so requires no more offshore oil drills, no more fracking, no more pipelines, and no more oil spills. Producing synthetic oil is much better for the environment than the processes for drilling, refining, and transporting petroleum.

No More Crude

Contaminants found in natural petroleum not only corrode your engine, but also burn out your exhaust pipe. Synthetic oil is crude free, using less energy to lubricate and protect your engine. The energy savings means improved performance at the cost of less fuel. Lower emissions and better mileage are clear environmental pluses.

No More Dumping

Maybe not no more dumping, but synthetic oil lasts five times as long as conventional oil, so five times fewer oil changes, five times less oil to dispose. Even small improvements have big impacts in this respect. Increasing your drain interval from 5,000 miles to 7,500 reduces your oil dumped by 33%.

Peace of Mind

Synthetic oil lasts longer and tougher than conventional oil. Being free from impurities, it takes longer to break down, going as long as 25,000 miles before needing an oil change. Synthetic oil also maintains viscosity in extreme weather and harsh conditions, where conventional oil will generally fail. You can always rest assured that your oil is working and will continue to protect better and improve performance.

For Synthetic Oil in Ann Arbor, MI

For the best synthetic oil in Ann Arbor, MI, call Dwight Smith at (702) 561-3706. Our full line of AMSOIL products go beyond synthetic oil to include filters, additives, fluids, and more. Visit our online store to shop for yourself.