If you have a vehicle or work with machines of any kind, you understand the importance of oil. Oils fall into two major categories: conventional and synthetic. Conventional oil is what our parents used. Synthetic is what most of our generation uses. Why? What exactly is synthetic oil? Our Way Brothers team has your brief primer.
Synthetic Oil 101
Although called synthetic, synthetic oil most often derives from highly refined crude oil or base petroleum stock. Manufacturers then use hydrocarbons present in these refined substances to create artificial lubricants with uniform molecular structure. Free of impurities, this synthetic oil has optimal viscosity and lubrication to keep machine parts humming smoothly, to collect impurities and to prevent the accumulation of particulate matter.
Partly or Fully Synthetic
Today's scientists are so adept at crafting synthetic oil, they can make partly and fully synthetic oils. Full synthetics have an entirely synthetic base stock, with molecular structure built on purpose. Synthetic blends marry synthetic base stocks with conventional oil, capitalizing on each oil's best traits.