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There is a lot of misunderstanding about what constitutes driving styles: Normal vs. Extreme. You may believe that severe driving entails racing the engine and driving aggressively, but this is not the case.
While the definition of severe driving varies by the vehicle manufacturer, it generally means you encounter at least one of the following scenarios:
Summary:A contentious topic in the automotive industry is synthetic versus conventional oil. There are different kinds of engine oil.Synthetic oils are made from higher-quality base oils and contain petrochemicals that slow the breakdown process.The only time you should use synthetic oil is if your vehicle requires it, which we’ll discuss shortly. Mixing synthetic and conventional oil is possible, but losing most of the synthetic oil benefits.
Here’s everything you need to know about the different kinds of engine oil:
Weight of oil:
Modern vehicles use multi-weight oil with two viscosity ratings for changing temperatures. 10W-30 is a common example of multi-weight oil. The oil has the viscosity of a 10-weight oil when the engine is cold. The lower viscosity allows the oil to flow more easily at startup, ensuring that all of the engine’s moving parts receive the lubrication they require as soon as possible. As the engine warms up, the viscosity rises to 30 weight, improving the engine’s ability to lubricate and dissipate heat.
Another contentious topic in the automotive industry is synthetic versus conventional oil. Let’s start with the pink elephant in the room: synthetic oil isn’t entirely man-made.
Like conventional oil, synthetic oil begins with distilled crude oil. It differs in terms of base oil quality and processing. Synthetic oils are typically made from higher-quality base oils and contain petrochemicals that slow the breakdown process, allowing them to retain their lubricating and heat-dissipating properties for a longer period. Conventional oil, on the other hand, lacks petrochemicals and may begin with lower-quality base oils.
There are also synthetic blend oils, which frequently combine high- and low-quality base oils with a lower petrochemical mix. The issue with synthetic blends is that the blend ratio is never known.
Here are some common questions about synthetic oils answered.
Is synthetic oil superior?
Yes, in theory. Synthetic oil is more lubricating, lasts longer, and reduces gunk buildup. As a result, it’s a better option for almost any vehicle.
Is it possible to mix synthetic and conventional oil?
Yes! Contrary to popular belief, synthetic and conventional oil mix just fine without causing any problems. Mixing them is counterproductive because you will lose most of the synthetic oil benefits, but it is otherwise safe.
Can synthetic oil help you go longer between oil changes?
No. While synthetic oil degrades more slowly than conventional oil, the longevity of the oil is determined by your vehicle’s engine, not the other way around. This is especially important if your vehicle is still under warranty from the manufacturer. The manufacturer may void your warranty if you change your oil too infrequently because you use synthetic oil.
Will using synthetic oil result in a leak?
This is yet another story about old mechanics. No, switching to synthetic oil will not cause any additional leaks.
When is synthetic oil appropriate to use?
While synthetic oil is technically superior to conventional oil, the benefits will not significantly increase the lifespan of a vehicle. Add to that the fact that synthetic oil can cost up to four times as much as conventional oil, and the case for using conventional oil becomes even stronger. The only time you should use synthetic oil is if your vehicle requires it, which we’ll discuss shortly.