Synthetic Oil

Synthetic lubricants are usually manufactured using chemically modified
petroleum components rather than whole crude oil, but they can also be
synthesized from other raw materials. Synthetic oil is used as a substitute
for lubricant refined from petroleum when operating in extreme temperatures
because, generally speaking, it provides superior mechanical and chemical
properties to those found in traditional mineral oils.

Part-synthetic oils

Part-synthetic (also called synthetic blend or semi-synthetic oils) are blends
of conventional mineral oil and synthetic oil.

Synthetic-blend oils offer the best of both worlds. They provide better
overall performance than conventional oils at a lower price than fully synthetic oils.

Advantages of synthetic oils

There are five main advantages synthetic oils have over conventional oils:

Superior temperature resistance – Synthetic oils can safely handle higher
operating temperatures without breaking down. Synthetic oils are thus
recommended for hot climates as well as heavy-duty, turbocharged or
hard-use applications.

Better low-temperature performance – With easier engine starts in cold weather,
synthetic oils are ideal for cold climates. Synthetics flow freely at extremely
low temperatures (-30 to -40 degrees Celsius) unlike synthetic oil, which tends to thicken in cold weather.

Better engine protection – High-speed engine parts can shear additives as
motor oil travels through the engine, thinning the oil. Full synthetic motor oils
resist shear under heavy loads better than conventional oils. This helps
synthetic motor oil maintain its viscosity grade, enabling it to withstand more
extreme engine conditions and offering better engine protection.

Lower oil consumption – Synthetic oils experience less “boil-off” than
conventional motor oils. A good synthetic will lose only about 4% of its weight
when run at 400 degrees for six hours, compared to a 30% loss for
conventional petroleum-based oil. The lower evaporation rate translates
to less oil consumption and higher oil-drain intervals of up to 30,000km.

Cleaner engines – Synthetics don’t break down or sludge up as fast as
ordinary mineral-based oils. This maintains lubrication efficiency during
short city trips in winter.