Think of motor oil as cheap insurance. Regular oil changes prevent the buildup of carbon and sludge, extending engine life. Guarding against thousands of dollars in damage for the relatively tiny cost
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Think of motor oil as cheap insurance. Regular oil changes prevent the buildup of carbon and sludge, extending engine life. Guarding against thousands of dollars in damage for the relatively tiny cost of oil changes is a no-brainer, but what makes one engine oil better than the rest?
Oil creates a protective film between an engine’s moving parts, which rotate or move thousands of times every minute. In this razor-thin space where every molecule counts, an engine oil’s distinctive additives enable oil to give protection with minimal resistance. The less drag on the engine’s moving parts, the more power and fuel economy are realized. For the oil itself, the longer it maintains its chemical stability, the longer it’s able to effectively protect against friction.
Synthetic and conventional oil both start life as crude oil. Conventional oils use additives to achieve the desired viscosity range, but when those additives deteriorate, the oil’s ability to adapt to changing temperatures is diminished. Synthetic oils are created by breaking down crude oil on the molecular level and rebuilding them to a specific innate and uniform structure, which nearly eliminates deterioration.
Synthetic tends to stand the test of time much better than conventional oil. However, because engine oil naturally absorbs harmful particles such as dirt, carbon and metal shavings, it’s still important to regularly change the oil and filter.
Each oil brand closely guards their proprietary chemical formulas as a trade secret, with promises to protect longer, better and across a wider range of environmental conditions. The one that’s right for your vehicle can vary just as much, as different engines, driving habits, and vehicle uses call for different solutions. That said, many manufacturers specify a recommended brand and viscosity, typically called the oil weight. We chose five outstanding engine oils known to deliver reliable protection at a great price. Each is suited for a specific application.
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