| Synthetic Oil is generally manufactured as a | | | | Many mechanics and car companies also recommend |
| substitute for petroleum or lubrication oil. It is known | | | | the use of synthetic oil in vehicles to increase vehicle |
| as ‘synthetic’ oil due to the many chemical | | | | performance and the reduction of wear and tear on |
| properties mixed into it artificially to modify it to suit | | | | the engine. Synthetic oil is also noted for its stability, |
| market purposes. | | | | cooling properties, fuel efficiency and reduced |
| Though used on and off for many years, synthetic oil | | | | exhaust emissions. |
| was first introduced into the market for commercial | | | | Unfortunately synthetic oil, although longer lasting |
| use by Motul, a French oil company which launched | | | | than normal motor oil, is extremely expensive and |
| the product for use in motor car engines in the early | | | | costs nearly three times as much as normal oil. The |
| 1970s. | | | | chemical composition of synthetic oil also has a |
| Synthetic Oil can be manufactured using many | | | | tendency to come apart in certain conditions which |
| different processes. One of the most common is the | | | | obviously plays havoc with the engines. |
| Fischer-Tropsch method which converts carbon | | | | In addition to synthetic oil, there are a variety of |
| dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane into liquid | | | | semi synthetic oils in the market, which offer |
| hydrocarbons (compounds of hydrogen and carbon). | | | | consumers many of the qualities found in pure |
| Another manufacturing process involves the removal | | | | synthetic oil at a lower cost. Synthetic motor oils are |
| of the thick, tar-like substance from oil sands to turn | | | | also made from a number of lubricants, including |
| it into high grade synthetic crude oil that is prized in | | | | Polyalphaolefin, Hydrocracked /Hydroisomerized and |
| the oil market. Synthetic oil is now manufactured | | | | Synthetic esters. |
| extensively around the world to meet oil shortages | | | | However, consumers using, or interested in using, |
| and to produce synthetic motor oils. | | | | synthetic oil should be aware that the American |
| Since the early introduction of brands such as | | | | Petroleum Institution has to date given no definition |
| All-Proof, Amsoil and Mobil 1 synthetic oils, the use of | | | | of the word ‘synthetic’ and that the National |
| synthetic oil has increased more and more in all | | | | Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business |
| aspects of the transportation industry. Indeed, some | | | | Bureaus has defined synthetic oil as a marketing term |
| vehicle owners prefer it to conventional motor oil and | | | | to be described and classified for the benefit of |
| make it a point to ask for their preferred brand of | | | | consumers by the company marketing the product. |
| synthetic motor oil for their expensive vehicles. | | | | |