What are synthetic oils?

an independent decision on what they want.
We have in our previous articles hammered only on mineral oils and gave an impression that there are no other oils available in the market. Obviously, the other readers and owners of most recent cars will be aware of these oils which are blended with the synthetic oil.

But we believe you have to pay through your nose for that. We handled what everybody could associate with immediately that is mineral oils which is readily available.
Synthetic motor oil is specifically formulated using synthetic base oils-polyalphaolefins (PAO) and esters. These polyalpaholerfins are made by chemically knitting molecules of ethylene (2 carbon molecules) into carbon chains of uniform length and shape.
Usually these are combined with esters a compound formed from reaction of alcohol and certain acids. Our concern then is on the alcohol and we have talked about this in our previous articles. Is there no effect on

the crankcase in terms corrosion as alcohol has a tendency of eating metal? This results in a lubricant that remains liquid and slippery under the oldest possible range of engine conditions. This type of oil provides more oxidation stability, superior volatility, good low temperature viscosity, high viscosity index and good pour point. This is in contrast to mineral oils, which contain sulphur, aromatic and other forms of foreign components that are not discernable in polyalpaholerns.

Generally, mineral oils do have both lighter and heavier components than the PAO. The lighter material cause poor volatility as well as lower flash and fire points. The heavier material adversely affects low temperature performance and pour point but for this region is not a problem as this is for the colder regions.

But we have observed that here in Zimbabwe we have semi-synthetic oil and we don’t trust this type of oil as there is no fixed ratio on how much synthetic has to be mixed with it before it is considered semi – with 10 percent synthetic. Can you then tell the difference between a genuine semi, synthetic or a fake one?

Notwithstanding our comments, this type of oil is good for extreme temperatures, allows for longer service and increases life drainage intervals and longer fuel efficiency plus better drainage on grease, lubes and fluids.
We have yet to appreciate the goodness of the synthetic oils when you look back to the older vehicles, which had no sludge problems, and now sludge is predominant in cars manufactured after the 1996-2001 era.

The large single contributor to sludge has been the fact that the sump capacity has been reduced the rpm for vehicles have gone high with vehicles operating on very high temperatures. Then you have a popular brand that states that it can reduce sludge by about 50 percent. We begin to wonder who is fooling who as sludge is created when the operating temperature is high and this heat forms a gel which when the oil is cooled sticks to the moving parts.

Therefore, there is no circulation and the engine ceases. In short, this has to do with sludge. This is the thickening and breakdown of the oil as it decorates as moisture and contaminants build up. This causes the oil to gel resulting in excess wear as friction increases or, in extreme cases the engines ceases suddenly.

Thousands of owners of vehicles of popular brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Toyota, Lexus, VW, Audi, and Saab do have problems with sludge. But suffice to state that despite the best technology there is need for a constant monitoring of your engine by following the manufactures oil change intervals at least that way will minimise the occurrence of this menace.
Let’s meet again for more Obel titbits.

The beauty of synthetic oil is that they are more consistent in size and shape, which reduces the effects of extreme engine temperatures.

In that the conventional oil’s short chain molecules can easily evaporate and its unstable molecules will oxidise in the extreme heat.
The other key difference is that synthetic base oils do not contain wax, which helps keep them from jelling up at low temperatures.
Synthetic oils are chemically produced so there are no contaminants. Small amount of sulphur, wax and asphalt material cannot be completely removed from crude petroleum.

Semi-synthetic oils are blends of synthetic base oils, whereas the conventional mineral oil base oils and additives.
The former base oil component can be as little as 10 percent of the total product in these semi synthetic products.
Hence don’t assume that a blend contains a high percentage of synthetic base oils.

We doubt the justification in that why then did the latest cars experience sludge, which was not the problem in the older cars.
There has been a great revolution in the increase in oil temperature in the cars in that in 1960 these cars had about 100 DC, 1970 about 110DC, 1980’s 130DC, 1990’s 150Dc and now hover around 350DC. A huge jump hence the need for very good oils.

Lets meet again for more Obel tit bits.