Synthetic versus mineral engine or component oil
It is common knowledge that regular servicing of your car will not just keep its performance and fuel consumption in top spec, but it will in fact extend its longevity
And with the current trend of extended trade-in or replacement of periods, consistent and quality maintenance becomes even more important.
The question of which oil one should use, or which is the best and the viscosity of the oil, is an age old one. Then there is the issue of mineral oil versus synthetic or semi synthetic.
Engine and gearbox oil needs to be replaced at regular intervals. The latter – depending on whether your drive a diesel or petrol engine car, can be between 10 000 and 20 000km.
Viscosity refers to how easily oil pours at a specified temperature. “Thin oils have lower viscosity and pour more easily at low temperatures than thicker oils that have a higher viscosity. Thin oils reduce friction in engines and help engines start quickly during cold weather.”
10W30 is thicker than 5W30 and has a higher viscosity in low temperatures. The engine oil will flow slower than 5W30 during the cold season. Thicker or higher viscosity metal oil has a better seal compared to low viscosity oil.
The main difference between mineral and synthetic oil lies within the manufacturing process. Modifications to synthetic oil are more refined and sophisticated producing oil with fewer impurities than that of mineral oil. Synthetic oils are chemically modified and thus more suitable to modern high-performance engines.
Be that as it may, synthetic oil can be interchanged with mineral motor oil, although it is not advised.
The use of mineral oil – especially in older model cars, dictates shortened intervals in between oil replacements – usually every 5000km which will then also reflects as higher consumption of oil. It is, however, possible to use synthetic oils in older cars if it meets the OEM requirements for a particular engine.
Mineral oils are derived from the refining of crude petroleum and although this may sound like a contradiction in terms, the latter can in fact provide equal and even a higher level of protection for particular engines than synthetic oil.
Thus – Because of fewer impurities, synthetic oil requires less frequent replacement.
Diesel engines, because of its higher compression ratios, dictate the use of synthetic oil.
One should also be considerate of the fact the engine pressure and the condition of the oil filters, age and condition of the engine components will determine oil usage.
As in life, there are also many myths when it comes to engine/oil performance. Adding or treating your oil with external additives, is not advised as these may well interfere with the chemical composition of the oil in the engine. It may in fact, some sources suggest, decrease the effectiveness and protection provided by the untreated (no additives) oil.
Is synthetic oil safe? Is it safe to switch your engine oil to synthetic – if the current oil is not synthetic? There are those sources that suggest that it may be risky in older vehicles with high mileage simply because the seals in those engines may not be able to handle the additives in synthetic oil.
The biggest disadvantage of switching to synthetic oil, is in the cost. It is way more expensive but then – it dictates less frequent replacement and it will most probably improve the longevity of your car’s engine.
Golden rule though – always, always use oil which synchronises with the prescribed specifications of the OEM.
