Is synthetic oil really better than regular oil?

There's such a difference in price....Is synthetic oil really better than regular oil?
All of the manufacturers of synthetic oil tout the benefits of reduced wear, more horsepower, lower operating temperatures, and improved fuel mileage. All of these benefits are derivatives of better cold flow characteristics and higher levels of friction reducing additives that are found in synthetic oils. I can confirm better cold driving characteristics, increased fuel mileage of nearly 10%, noticeably lower operating temperatures, better heat dissipation capability, and long term high temperature stability based on my own experience with synthetic lubricants. Are these benefits enough, however, to persuade average drivers to give up their trusted petroleum oils and pay the extra price for synthetics? Enthusiasts, yes. Average drivers, perhaps not. However, synthetic lubricants can endure extended drain intervals, which is a major consideration toward justification of the higher costs. This benefit is not widely promoted by the major oil producers most likely because they want you to pay a premium for their synthetic oils every 3000 miles just like their regular oils. Most companies don鈥檛 bother to tell you that synthetic oils are capable of going 25,000 miles or more without significant breakdown.Is synthetic oil really better than regular oil?
Well SigGirl, you're talking about something 'dirty', full of randomly sized and shaped molecules vs. something pure and uniform that was engineered in a lab. Even after refining, petroleum oils still contain molecules that are undesirable for lubrication purposes. These impurities only help to speed up the 'breakdown' or chemical change of the oil. This, and the synthetic molecule's resistance to thermal and oxidative breakdown, is why synthetics last longer. Here is some more info on the subject: http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g52.pdf


Good luck! My website: http://www.number1synthetic.com


featuring Amsoil synthetic lubricants
while you may not always need it, synthetic is much better in a lot of circumstances.





Harder to break down, resists temperature better,





You don't always need it, but if your going for performance or don't change your oil as often as you should its worth it.
I agree with what Yoda O says exactly, but will add, why synthetic is more pricey its made by man, and makers had to spend millions to produce it, where as normal mineral oil comes from the ground.
Synthetic oils are better for most applications, except brand new engines and high milage engines with wear. Any engines that have oil leaks will leave one hell of a mess with synthetic oil.
I agree with Yoda O. If you have a leak, the synthetic oil will slurp out in no time.