Jiffy Shop Talk #4: The Benefits of Synthetic Oil

Here we are, our fourth #JiffyShopTalk blog! The topic this month is right up our alley: the benefits of Synthetic oil. Most people are unaware of how beneficial Synthetic oil can be for your vehicle. Often when you hear the word “synthetic”, especially in relation to your clothing, you think cheap and low quality. But when it comes to car maintenance, that’s not always the case!

Read on to learn more about the Synthetic oil and the benefits for your vehicle.

The cleaner your engine, the better!

The engine is the heart of your car, and keeping it clean and healthy is a top priority at Jiffy Lube. A clean engine will provide you with the performance that was designed by your engine manufacturer. A dirty engine will cause loss of performance, fuel economy and wear of critical engine parts, so regular changes and a better motor oil will assist in keeping your engine running like it should.

The big difference between Conventional motor oils and Synthetics? Conventional motor oil starts with a base oil refined from crude oil, consisting of 80% crude oil and 20% additives. Some of those additives are designed to protect and clean the engine, while others are required to address the impurities of the crude oil. Synthetics are man-made and developed with very specific planned, predictable properties. The base oils used for Synthetics have virtually no impurities, which means the base oil starts at a high level of performance and only requires additives to give it the performance characteristics to protect the engine.
The gist of it? A top Synthetic oil will:
Provide protection of critical engine parts, such as pistons;
Provide better fuel economy;
Reduce loss of horsepower;
Protect against wear caused by friction;
Provide protection from the coldest to the hottest temperatures.

Fact: High Heat can cause oxidation which causes Conventional oils to break down faster than Synthetic oil and produce sludge.

Can your oil adapt to Canada’s constantly changing weather?

From freezing winters to scorching hot summers, you must be prepared to adapt to whatever weather comes your way, as should your oil! The morning flow of your oil is a crucial aspect to your vehicle startup process. Most car owners just fire up and leave, especially on a busy Monday morning, but Conventional oil takes some time to get flowing through your engine – and in the cold seasons, even longer! Switching to Synthetic oil will reduce your wait time no matter what temperature it is outside. In fact, in your owner’s manual, there are two recommendations: one for normal and one for severe driving conditions. Based on the Canadian climate, Canadian drivers should go by the Severe Service Interval.

You can only use Synthetic oil in new cars.

Negative; because of Synthetic oil’s advanced formula it’s often perceived that it would only be compatible with newer cars, but that’s not the case!  Whether your ride is old or new, Synthetic oil benefits any engine to provide it a longer, healthier lifespan – it can even handle those turbocharged engines! You’ll hear about Synthetic oils being recommended for use on newer vehicles mostly because of the evolving government mandates on fuel economy, modernized engine designs or even as a remedy for reoccurring performance issues.

Does Synthetic oil need a special filter?

Nope, it’s up to you! Your vehicles filter is like a kidney; they manage to screen out any imperfections regardless of oil type. We know it can be confusing because you have the option of purchasing a “Synthetic filter” or a regular filter, but all this means is that the fiber content has Synthetic material built in vs the normal paper filters. Since filter efficiency is the real measure – the amount of impurities it can filter out of the oil, which is down to the tiny microns (smaller than the human hair) – a Synthetic filter and a Synthetic oil can be a smart solution to keep your engine clean and ensure top engine performance.

Yeah, but isn’t Synthetic oil high maintenance?

False! Once you have confirmed your decision to switch oil bases, there is no need to flush your engine out. Synthetic oil mixes just fine with Conventional oil. Also, the frequency of getting your oil changed is less compared to Conventional oil; it’s been reported that Synthetic oil can last between 7,500 to 10,000 kilometers before taking it to your local Jiffy Lube!

The purity of the Synthetic oil formula has been proven to better your cars fuel economy and last longer overall These oils have been tested in real world engines but as you know, every vehicle is different so it is imperative that you go by your OEM recommendation for Severe Service for the benefit of your vehicle and its warranty.

There are tons of benefits to making the switch to Synthetic oil; however, it may not be the best choice for your specific vehicle. At Jiffy Lube, we will always make recommendations on the best service and product types for your vehicle based on the information in your owner’s manual.

Have questions? Feel free to visit your local Jiffy Lube or tweet us at @JiffyLubeON with the hashtag #JiffyShopTalk.