Synthetic lubricants

(Any info contained below about liquid fuel-type (internal combustion / IC) engines does not apply to all-electric vehicles / EV's.)

     IMPORTANT: New vehicle engines, such as in a new car, or newly-rebuilt engines normally require a special break-in period, which also includes recommended RPM limitations, etc., commonly for up to 1,000 miles of driving the vehicle.  In general, 100% synthetic motor oil should not be used during the break-in period.  Talk to a professional about which standard or para-synthetic oil to use during the break-in period.  

     Three most well-known engines are the spark-plug-equipped piston engine, the diesel engine which has no spark plugs, and the rotary engine.  Each engine may have different "break-in" periods.  Again, talk to a professional about all your questions on motor oil selection, etc.  Reading your factory service manual about the break-in period is highly-recommended, also.

     See video section, at bottom of this page, for more info about new cars / engine break-in periods!     

     Amsoil was the first US company to introduce top quality synthetic lubricants to the market.  This was in 1975.  In 1978, I started using synthetic motor oil. 

     An interesting lubricant report by website owner, Dave: 

     The first synthetic motor oil that I started using was Mobil 1, 5W-20, in a 1968 Dodge, which had 123,000 miles on it.  Right before the switch to synthetic motor oil, the car’s oil mileage was 600 miles per quart.  (Near new car oil mileage for that particular engine would be approx. 3,500 miles per quart.)  Excellent motor oil, however, it wasn’t until later that the Mobil 1 formula was changed from a polyolester to a diester, which is the most ideal formula for preventing the possible early seal damage to an engine.  I had no problems, however, while I was using the Mobil 1 oil. After a short time, I switched to North American Oil Company’s diester formula 10W-40 Lubrichem synthetic motor oil.  This was around 124,500 miles.

     As I drove the car, I noticed the oil mileage started slowly increasing with no other changes to the car’s engine besides the motor oil switch to synthetic.  After 10,000 miles of driving, later, the oil mileage was a surprise improvement to 1,200 miles per quart, which is approx.. 1/3 the mileage of the engine as compared to if the engine was new, and after the normal 1,000-mile break-in period.  At that time, I was amazed when I found out that the synthetic oil slowly and permanently freed-up (cleaned-up) the sticky piston rings, thus increasing the sealing properties inside the cylinders while putting additional mileage on the car.

Advantages of synthetic lubricants: 1) By using synthetic motor oil, you will save hundreds to thousands of dollars on engine repair (due to excessive wear)  within a 200,000 mile period.  2) Engines, transmissions, rear axle units, front wheel drive transaxle units, etc. can last up to 4 or 5 times longer when using synthetic lubricants, starting early in the life of the part.  3) Better cold-weather starting  4) Longer drain periods 5) No sludge build-up, anywhere, as synthetic lubricants are very clean running lubricants. 

You can find synthetic lubricants for any use.  Some of the types available are motor oil, transmission fluid, rear axle fluid, wheel bearing and chassis grease, and spray lubricant.

Synthetic fuel additive / cleaner and upper cylinder lubricant

I’ve been using synthetic fuel additive since 1978.  For the best type, be sure it has upper cylinder lubricant capabilities.  Lubrication of the valve seat areas helps prevent burnt valves.

The latest synthetic fuel additive I’ve been using (since around 2005) is Redline SI-1.  This is an excellent product.  Top quality synthetic fuel additives have a lot of advantages.  Visit an auto parts & accessories store that carries Redline products, and read the label on the SI-1 product thoroughly.   

Scroll down one page to see additional info / bonus promo directly after this article!

     .