Synthetic Oil Change

Just as we homo sapiens have blood as our lifeline and which keeps us alive and functioning, we can imagine the same thing regarding cars when it comes to motor or engine oil. This petroleum based engine oil is the lifeline of an automobile. Typically, regular oil, produced from naturally occurring petroleum products is used. But recently, synthetic oil has been embraced as an alternative to regular oil by car owners. If you are using regular oil and want to switch over to a synthetic oil, akin to your fellow car drivers and acquaintances, it is not a revolutionary transition for your car and the process is fairly simple. If you were contemplating about switching to synthetic oil, this article will help you out.

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is, needless to say a type of lubricant, which is made up of synthesized or artificial chemical compounds. Instead of whole crude oil, this oil is produced with the help of chemically modified petroleum components. However other raw materials too are used for producing synthetic oil. It is now commonly used as an alternative to petroleum based oil.

Now, you might say that all this is fine, it is a viable alternative to regular oil and the like. But how does it fare as compared to regular petroleum based oil? What are the brownie points?

What is the Advantage of Synthetic Oil?

There are a number of advantages of synthetic oil. For starters, synthetic oil is designed to specifically carry out the objective of lubrication of engine surfaces with precise strains of chemical components. Be it high or low temperature of the engine, synthetic oil always has an upper hand, as it lacks impurities and inhibitors that slow down oil distribution. The result is that immediately after the car starts, the oil starts reaching all parts it is supposed to, in the engine. In conditions where the temperature is high, synthetic oil can withstand that temperature too. These oils do not clog the engine and there is no oil build up from synthetic oils. Rather these oils are said to clean the engine, thus, enhancing mileage too. In the year 2009, AMSOIL synthetic motor oil was priced at $8.90 and for a five-quart oil change it would cost then around $44.50. The current prices might have gone up. Synthetic oil change thus, might not be a bad idea. Ultimately, it is your opinion whether synthetic oil is worth it, as you are the best judge of your car and do you really think it is required. Even after this if you are not sure, you can research on synthetic oil vs regular oil which will give you a fair idea of how the two fare against each other!

Switching to Synthetic Oil

Now we come to the actual process of changing from usual engine oil to synthetic oil. You will require a car jack, safety stands, block of wood or brick, oil drain pan and oil filter. Don't forget, synthetic oil! There are two things when you change oil - draining the old one, and replacing with the new one.

Step #1
The vehicle has to be raised with the help of a jack, underneath the front tires of the car. A wooden block will go under the tires at the back, for extra support. You will have to locate the oil plug, with the help of the manual, and keep an oil drain under that plug.

Step #2
On the anvil now, is, loosening and removing of the oil plug. The oil needs to be drained from the engine by loosening the oil plug. Once the oil is drained, replace the oil plug but make sure you do not tighten it like you are never going to open it in your life again! In case there is some extra oil in the under carriage of the car, wipe it off.

Step #3
After the previous step, you will need to keep an oil drain pan under the oil filter. Remove the oil filter and confirm that the ring gasket comes off along with the filter. Lubricate the rubber ring gasket with synthetic oil.

Step #4
The next thing is to fix the new oil filter. First tighten it with your hand and then tighten it a quarter of a turn extra. Again, no over tightening of the filter people! Then lower the car off the jack.

Step #5
Then, you will have to locate and then remove the oil fill cap in the engine under the hood. The new synthetic oil has to be added here for the car. Follow the oil refill by putting the cap back on.

There! You are done! Now all you have to do is start the car and let the engine idle for a few seconds. The oil dipstick can be further used to know the requisite oil level.

A mechanic or your friend who has done this can be asked about the interval between synthetic oil changes and also whether this oil is good for your car. All the best.