Mineral oils are extracted from crude oil as part of the refining process. Many products such as engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic oils etc. use these mineral oils along with specially designed performance enhancing additives as part of their formulation. However, due to limitations in the refining extraction process some impurities remain in the mineral oils that negatively impact on their performance.

The main advantages of the synthetic oils are in their high viscosity indexes, higher flash points, lower pour points and very low volatility (tendency to evaporate at higher temperatures) This makes them valuable blending components when compounding for extreme service at both high and low temperatures. See similar questions...

The main disadvantage of synthetic lubricants is that they are inherently more expensive than mineral oils, and are limited in supply. This limits their use to speciality oils and greases that command premium prices. Esters suffer further disadvantage of greater seal-swelling tendencies than hydrocarbons: so, caution has to be exercised in using them in applications where they many contact elastomers designed for use with mineral oils. See similar questions...

There are also oils that have had natural or synthetic chemical components added to them after distillation, to boost the level of certain components that makes the oil more attractive for certain purposes. These are sometimes called reconstituted oils. See similar questions...

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils are high performance, extended life oils manufactured from premium synthetic base stocks and special purpose additives. These "designer oils" (so nicknamed because their molecules can be structured to do a specific job) provide significant improved overall performance benefits over conventional petroleum oils. Top See similar questions...

Tufoil mixes with all synthetic and mineral oils used in automotive engines! If in doubt, you can check compatibility by warming 1 ounce of Tufoil and 10 ounces of any oil and leave for 24 hours. If there is no settling, it is compatible. See similar questions...

Yes, it is compatible with any type of synthetic oil that is designed for vehicle engines or transmissions. Centurion / Opti-Lube has almost no effect on viscosity, it flows at -35? and can be used in light engine oils to heavy gear oil. No, it can be added any time. Centurion oil fortifier replenishes motor oil additives that deplete over time, including oxidation inhibitors, acid neutralizers and anti-wear additives. Adding at an oil change is just the most cost effective time. See similar questions...

but disagree with the extremely long oil change intervals claimed by oil manufacturers. Auto manufacturers recommend that you continue to change oil at the intervals recommended in the owners manual for your car. Even if you decide to try the longer intervals, at least change the oil filter at regular intervals, as synthetics get just as dirty as conventional oils. See similar questions...

Yes, AMSOIL Motor Oils are compatible with all other synthetic or petroleum motor oils. However, the mixing of AMSOIL with other oils will shorten the effective life of the AMSOIL lubricant. Top See similar questions...

It makes no difference because the revitalizant is compatible with any kinds of oil and fuel grades. It is chemically inert and will not react to these substances, and does not affect their viscosity. Oil is all but a "carrier" for the revitalizant delivering it to the areas where the friction occurs. XADO does not treat oil! See similar questions...

Yes! Herguth Laboratories analyzes all type of mineral and synthetic oils. When you first sample make sure you identify the type of oil used and we'll do the rest. See similar questions...

They are called synthetic because their molecules are created rather than the naturally available one of the petroleum based mineral base oils. For example: poly Alpha Olefin is synthesised in the laboratory by combining small molecules of a chemical called decene. See similar questions...

Synthetic base oils are used to make specialised lubricants for use in extreme conditions. For example: To make Gulf Formula G which is 5W40 viscosity grade lubricant, it is a necessity to use synthetic base stocks, because normal mineral based lubricants cannot work at the lower temperatures at which Formula G is expected to work. Another mandatory application of synthetic fluids is the Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluid. See similar questions...

While high performance motor oils, such as Caltex Havoline Formula, can certainly be blended from well refined mineral base oils, for ultimate performance we need to use the specially tailored properties of a synthetic base oil as our starting point. See similar questions...