What Larry has to say about

"Lubricating engines and transmissions in the 1970's and 80's was not a major issue. Engine temps were averaging 170F degrees, which most petroleum based oils handled effectively. Sludging existed, but the drain intervals of the oil were fairly frequent.

Thanks to our Environmental Protection Agency enacting stricter emission standards, all of the previous rules regarding lubrication can be thrown out the window. During the late 80's and 90's auto manufactures were forced to reduce exhaust emissions and provide better fuel economy. The first step in that process was to increase the combustion chamber and engine temps dramatically. Temps were increased to 240F degrees prior to the cooling fan switching on, and engine head temps were now in excess of 300F!

Installing regular petroleum oil in applications like these will turn the golden clear petroleum oil into thick crusty sludge within 10,000 miles. The more it is used, the worse it gets, until it eventually begins to plug up the motor, starves it for oil, and will cause it to die a horrible death.

Petroleum oils should not even be taken into consideration with newer cars. The benefits of synthetic oil far outweigh anything petroleum oils have to offer when it comes to engine cleanliness, friction, wear reduction, lower exhaust emissions, better fuel economy, and lower engine temps.

Why are synthetics better than petroleum oils?

Petroleum oils are pumped from hundreds, sometimes thousands of feet below the surface of the Earth. What we refer to, as "petroleum oil" is a byproduct of decaying plant and animal matter from millions of years ago. After bring pumped from the ground, this crude oil is then shipped and sold to refineries that process unleaded fuels. The wild part is that roughly 70% of that barrel of crude oil can be made into unleaded fuel, while the other 30% is considered hazardous waste. There are very limited uses for that last 30%. It is not used in asphalt, or tires, or any type of manufacturing, but it does have a single use. Can you guess what it is?

That's right! It is the base stock for petroleum lubrication, which is that black thick tar looking stuff about to go into your engine. Typically this bottom of the barrel essence is given to motor oil producers from fuel refineries just so it can be disposed of. After the oil producers get their hands on it, they thin it and filter it until it's near the same consistency of '3 in 1' oil. Since that's too thin to lubricate a motor, it must be made thicker to raise the viscosity of the oil. Here is how they do it; petroleum oil viscosities are adjusted by adding paraffin (a product of wax) to the petroleum. Have you ever watched a wax candle burn, melt, and run to the bottom as a pile of goo? Guess what paraffin does in an engine after being exposed to extreme temps for a long period of time?

Why is synthetic oil better?

When referring to synthetic oils, PAO base stock oils are implied. There are only two manufactures of true PAO oil, Amsoil and Mobile. PAO base stocks are derived from mostly plastics that have undergone a radioactive treatment to extract oils from them. What does this do for the oil? Well, since it is not a carbon-based product, it does not sludge, and since its viscosity is chemically stable, heat doesn't break it down. Because it is a PAO based oil, it is attracted to heat to reduce friction and prevent internal wear. Lower engine temps, lower emissions, and better fuel economy are all products of using a PAO base oil.

What about other synthetics? (buyer beware)

Besides Amsoil and Mobile, other motor oil manufactures claiming to be synthetic used a method called "Hydro Cracking" in their manufacturing process. However, only the process is considered synthetic because they are "Hydro Cracking" petroleum oil. A court ruling allows the use of the term synthetic on their bottles of oil, but they cannot claim their product is a superior lubricant or prevents engine wear.

Why I recommend Amsoil over the closest competitor, Mobile?

Amsoil started manufacturing PAO base stock synthetics in 1972 for auto uses. Mobile started in 1980. Amsoil is the oldest manufacturer of PAO oils in the US. Amsoil is made for extended drain intervals, whereas Mobile is not. PAO oils are more expensive, but with the extended drain intervals, Amsoil is by far the best value over any other real or wanna-be synthetic sold. "

~Larry Perry

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