Why Use Premium Synthetic Motor Oil?
Are premium synthetic motor oils worth the extra expense for your vehicle? The consensus—the general agreement among automotive experts—is that premium synthetic oils are superior lubricants. In this article, the synthetic oils discussed are specifically identified as premium synthetic oils because, like with every class of consumer product, there are varying levels of quality. Simply labeling an engine oil as “synthetic” is not a reliable indicator of quality, as the overall formulation of the oil is the most important factor in the quality and efficacy of the lubricant. A well-formulated conventional engine oil can outperform a poorly formulated “synthetic” engine oil. With that said, beginning the formulation of a motor oil with high quality synthetic base stocks does allow for a superior product compared to an equal quality level conventional motor oil.
Motor oils, and most lubricants in general, are composed of base oils and additives. Discussion of “synthetic” or “conventional” relates only to the base oils in the lubricant. Conventional base oils are made from crude oil/petroleum and occasionally re-refine used oil. Synthetic base oils are made from petroleum, hydrocarbon gases, and alcohols. Ultimately, all lubricant base oils are hydrocarbon molecules; the processes by which the synthetic base oils are made is what sets them apart from conventional base oils.
The advantages of synthetic base oils are thanks to the extreme cleanliness and consistency of the molecular structure achieved in the processing. Conventional base oils are typically only lightly refined, with not all of the inherent impurities (waxes, sulfur, etc.) removed from the petroleum. Instead of being simply refined, the crude for synthetic oil is engineered to produce a uniform molecular structure that offers superior lubrication. Finally, proprietary additives are introduced to make full synthetic oil even better.
Premium full synthetic motor oil costs more because synthetic oil costs more to make. The high quality synthetic base oils and state-of-the-art additives used are typically much more expensive than the materials used in standard lubricants. However, with lubricants you do get what you pay for, in that a well-formulated synthetic oil that uses high-quality, synthetic base oils and high-quality additives, provides additional benefits for the higher purchase price.
Keep these facts in mind when you take your car or truck in for its next scheduled oil change.
Unique Performance Advantages of Royal Purple High Performance Synthetic Oil
Your car, truck or SUV as well as your outdoor power equipment will only function as well as the oil you put in it. At Royal Purple, we scientifically engineer high performance synthetic oils that outwork the competition in the laboratory, on the road and in the yard.
In addition to freeing up more power and providing greater longevity to 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines, our products help drivers and do-it-yourselfers reduce their emissions and use less gas. Race car drivers and certified mechanics have trusted and relied on our synthetic lubricants for years. Why Royal Purple? Because we make the best lubricants possible, with the best industry-available raw materials and our proprietary additive technology. We developed Synerlec®, our signature additive technology, to provide our customers with industry-best film strength to eliminate excess wear and improve combustion.
Look through our catalog to find the full synthetic oil that’s right for your vehicle, or find a retailer near you.
Switching from Regular to Full Synthetic Motor Oil
Have you thought about swapping your conventional oil or lower-quality synthetic oil for premium full synthetic motor oil? All vehicles—gasoline and diesel—can handle the switch. And synthetics work just as well in older vehicles as they do in new ones.
Why Synthetic?
Premium full synthetic oils:
Provide better cold flow than conventional oils and lower-quality synthetic oils, allowing for optimal engine protection at start-up.
Perform better at higher temperatures, which makes them ideal for extended drives and difficult driving conditions, like stop-and-go traffic and snow.
Resist breakdown due to their greater oxidation resistance and cleanliness.
Do not sludge, maximizing efficiency as vehicles get older.
Maximize gas mileage by reducing internal engine friction.
Increase engine output by reducing drag and parasitic loss
Pay for themselves by extending engine oil change interval.
Why Royal Purple?
Royal Purple is the synthetic engine oil that racing professionals and certified mechanics put in their own engines. Synerlec®, our own unique additive technology, creates the best film-strength in the industry for protection of moving engine parts. And it’s not just cars, trucks and SUVs that benefit—we make full synthetic motor oils for snowmobiles, motorcycles, and boats.
Engines run cooler with Royal Purple, and so do the assemblies and other moving parts lubricated with our extended line of automotive, marine and other various lubricants.
Royal Purple products offer superior corrosion protection.
What’s the Right Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil for Me?
Primarily, this depends on what you use your vehicle for. Consider these four basic types of uses:
Standard: If you use your car for normal, everyday driving, we recommend our signature high performance synthetic oil: Royal Purple API-licensed Motor Oil, which holds current American Petroleum Institute (API) and International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) licenses, and is available in several viscosities. This lubricant is warranty compliant for newer vehicles, and offers the best protection possible in an API-licensed motor oil.
High Mileage: If your car has 75,000 miles or more, you should choose a premium full synthetic motor oil specially formulated for older vehicles. Over time, seals can shrink and leak; Royal Purple HMX™ High Mileage motor oil reconditions seals, providing a little swell and flexibility to older seals. HMX oils also provide a higher level of anti-wear additive than Royal Purple API-licensed oils and include a healthy dose of Royal Purple’s proprietary Synerlec® additive technology, further enhancing performance and protection.
Higher Performance: For car enthusiasts with high-end and modified engines, or motorists looking for an even higher level of performance and protection, Royal Purple HPS™ (High Performance Street) takes lubrication to the next level. Ideal for gasoline and diesel engines alike (except HPS 5W-20), Royal Purple HPS oils are unlicensed performance upgrade street oils and may not be strictly OEM warranty compliant for newer vehicles.
Highest Performance: The preferred choice for dedicated competition engines, and those that want their car to use the absolute best engine oil, Royal Purple XPR (Extreme Performance Racing) motor oils offer the ultimate in lubricant performance and protection. These oils are not a typical choice for daily driver and other street cars because of the much higher price tag. However, XPR engine oils offer enough protection for the most powerful race engines and, unlike most “race” oils, are completely safe for extended use in street cars.
Premium Full Synthetic Motor Oil Change Interval: How Long Should I Go Between Oil Changes?
The days of 3,000-mile oil changes are gone. Royal Purple scientists and engineers devote a considerable amount of time and resources improving the chemistry of our premium full synthetic oils to make them more robust and more efficient. Automobile manufacturers also continue to make strides in engine technology, making them run cleaner and smoother.
Nowadays, many carmakers commonly recommend an oil change interval of 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or sometimes even 10,000 miles or more, under ideal operating conditions. Certain premium products like Royal Purple API-licensed synthetic engine oils allow motorists to travel as many as 12,000 miles as the recommended oil change interval. Even more amazing, Royal Purple HPS™ synthetic performance upgrade street oils allow up to 15,000 miles in between motor oil changes.
Of course, some service shops still encourage consumers to adhere to the 3,000-mile rule because it means more business for them. But with Royal Purple premium full synthetic oil, you can keep your vehicle on the road and the money in your wallet. Feel free to enjoy the convenience of extending the oil change interval, with Royal Purple.
Three Common Myths Surrounding Full Synthetic Engine Oil
Myth 1: Since full synthetic oils are high performance products, they’re not compatible with my old car or truck.
The truth: Full synthetic motor oils, which deliver increased lubricity and reduce the running temperature of automotive engines, are ideal for your brand-new sports car and your 20-year-old truck.
Myth 2: Once synthetic oil, always synthetic oil.
The truth: Certain professionals and hobbyists may recommend the exclusive use of synthetic engine oils. But going back to conventional oil—or alternating between the two—will not harm your engine in any way.
Myth 3: Synthetic engine oil will cause my vehicle to leak or consume more oil.
The truth: Full synthetics do not damage seals or cause increased oil consumption. However, they may remove earlier oil deposits, which can reveal pre-existing conditions. “New” leaks are most commonly a sign of seals and gaskets that were already in poor condition. In such a case, even if an oil spot was never seen on the ground, dirty oil residue will be observed on the exterior of the engine, indicating a pre-existing leak. The two most common root causes of a perceived increase in oil consumption are: 1. oil consumption that has always been there, but that is now apparent because of the longer oil drain interval (not indicative of a problem); and 2. The removal of piston ring deposits that cause and actual, but temporary, increase in combustion blow-by and oil consumption.
