Advances in oil refining technology have brought to the forefront a relatively new type of oil – synthetic oil. You might have heard about synthetic oil and all its benefits but you are probably wondering whether you should make the move to replace the regular oil your fleet uses with synthetic oil. Read on to learn more about synthetic and regular oil to determine which type of oil is suitable for your fleet.
Regular oil, also known as conventional oil, is still the most widely used type of engine oil. The main difference between regular and synthetic oil is the refining process. Regular oil is derived from naturally occurring crude oil, whose hydrocarbon molecules are refined and transformed into a lubricant. This basic refining process does not create uniformity in the hydrocarbon molecules.
Synesthetic oil is created from an artificial process that entails extensive manipulation of chemical compounds. The result is oil that constitutes hydrocarbons with a higher consistency. This uniformity makes synthetic oil more resistant to friction, pressure, and harsh conditions.
ENGINE EFFICIENCY. Engine parts constantly move against each other at high speed and are particularly prone to wear and tear. Regular oil breaks down much faster and is less effective at protecting these engine parts.
On the other hand, synthetic oil has a longer life and is, therefore, able to protect engine components for much longer. Additionally, synthetic engine oil has greater pumpability and can flow through and lubricate engine components faster than regular oil, thereby slowing down engine wear and tear.
ENGINE CLEANLINESS. The process of manufacturing synthetic oil eliminates plenty of impurities, leaving behind an impressively clean lubricant that can keep your engine in good shape for longer. On the contrary, regular oil contains a considerable amount of impurities, which can accumulate over time, coat engine components, and diminish engine efficiency.
FUEL EFFICIENCY. Synthetic oil can withstand extreme weather variations. Because of its higher fluidity, synthetic oil flows faster through the moving parts of an engine even in cold weather. This rapid flow of oil ensures timely lubrication and prevents the engine from overworking and consuming more oil. Synthetic oil has a higher evaporation point, greater stability, and will adequately protect engine components during the hotter months too.
Admittedly, a synthetic oil change will cost slightly more and the cost could add up quickly for a fleet of trucks. Expect to pay an additional $25-$32 on average for a synthetic oil change. Nevertheless, considering its benefits, synthetic oil will pay for itself in terms of better engine efficiency, greater longevity for engine parts, and lower engine repair costs.
Before switching to synthetic oil, find out what your engine manufacturer recommends. If you usually change your vehicles’ engine oil often, regular oil could still get the job done. Consider synthetic oil if you want to minimize oil change visits to your mechanic. Due to its properties, you do not need to change synthetic oil as often as you would regular oil, to ensure optimal engine performance.
Oil is the lifeline of an engine. Using poor-quality oil for your fleet can drastically minimize the engine efficiency, create unnecessary downtime, and impact your bottom line. If you decide to switch to synthetic oil, be sure to have a professional truck mechanic perform the oil change for you.
We strive to be ready and accessible to service and maintain vehicles at all major locations of trucking traffic across the greater Portland Metro area and Vancouver, WA. This includes Troutdale, Hillsboro, Salem, and Wilsonville, OR. If your semi-truck or commercial vehicle acts up – call S&T Truck Repair for fast and reliable truck repair.
