The Basics of Engine Oil

Times, They Are a-Changin’

As time goes on, two things become clear about America and its vehicles: our cars remain as important to our daily lives and to our identity as ever, but our relationship with them has changed as they’ve evolved. 

No longer do we belong to a generation where parents and children could bond in the garage by taking apart and reassembling the family vehicle. Cars are simply too advanced and the amount of computer technology embedded in virtually every component is enough to scare off even the most dedicated gear head.

For those with even a rudimentary understanding of how cars work, changes to the brake pads, tires, and oil is about all we can be expected to do before needing to take our vehicle to the nearest Master Muffler car repair center in Sandy to have a professional tune it up.

Motor Oil Mania

Car parts aren’t the only things that are changing with time; an evolution of motor oil has been ongoing for some time, with ever more options to choose from and benefits to consider. For the normal person, visiting Master Muffler hoping for an oil change, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, especially if they have only the slightest understanding of what words like “synthetic” and “conventional” even mean.

Let’s break down what some of these terms mean and what we can expect from using each type of oil.

Conventional Oil

This is your basic bare-bones engine oil, ranging in viscosity and quality from blend to blend. In the old days, when motor oil was first being used, every type of lubricant imaginable was added to the mixture, from crude oils to animal fats. As such, concepts such as quality consistency were figments of the imagination. 

Today, we’ve decided to leave the animal fat alone but a conventional oil is still made up of a number of mineral extracts and meets the basic recommended specifications for engine lubrication, it doesn’t have any of the benefits that synthetic oil does. In fact, with conventional motor oil, one can count on a few baseline facts:

• The oil is less chemically stable than a synthetic mixture.
• It breaks down quicker.
• It has a lower tolerance for resisting acidification.

If given the option while waiting on a car repair, we recommend you request a synthetic oil. 

Synthetic Oil

The differences between synthetic oil and conventional oil are well documented. Synthetic oil derives from more high-quality components, mixing base oils with additives that allow the blend to do more than simply lubricate the various parts of the engine. 

In general, oil manufacturers take greater pains when making synthetic blends to remove impurities from the mixture. This has a compounding effect when added to an engine. Synthetic oil is known for:

• Being an overall better lubricant
• Leaving less dirty residue behind
• Working better in extreme temperatures

By choosing a synthetic blend, you may recognize that you aren’t required to bring your car to our Sandy car repair center as often. This is because the more high-quality mixture is rated for longer intervals between changes. In many cases, you can triple the amount of time you drive before needing to bring the car back to Master Muffler for an oil change.