Should I use Mineral or Synthetic Gear Oils?
Oils are a major topic when it comes to vehicle care. Oils serve as a cushion against wear, keep the inner components free of corrosive deposits and varnish, as well as cool vital engine parts. In the past, it was easy to make oil decisions as the preferred choice was mineral-based oils due to their fair pricing.
In the last few decades it is remarkable that there has been a steady growth in synthetic gear oils use due to the following reasons:
Reduced costs
This might sound counterintuitive as synthetic gear oils are essentially more expensive. However, you do not need to change this oil as often as you would need to replace mineral oils. This results in lower servicing costs.
Significant reduction in corrosion
Gearboxes are susceptible to corrosion and rust due to being exposed to moisture. Mineral oils could actually heighten corrosion as they contain oxygen. Through the use of synthetic gear oils, you significantly reduce that chances of corrosion which leads to a longer lifespan for your gearbox.
Higher Resistance to Oxidation
Synthetic gear oils are made by chemical reactions through the application of certain temperatures and pressure to meet predetermined viscosity requirements. This makes them better at resisting oxidation. This results in improved fuel economy.
Smoother operation
Mineral oils, on the other hand, are made from crude. This makes them have varying degrees of hydrocarbons. This makes them susceptible to chemical reactions such as oxidation, which causes the oil’s viscosity to thicken with time. Due to the presence of organic compounds, that is, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen, mineral oils easily form sludge especially when used in high-temperature applications.
Based on the above, it’s easy to conclude that synthetic oils outperform mineral oils. Your car will have improved efficiency as there is minimised friction.