Hot Shot’s Guide to Engine Oil

It’s a common saying that engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, but what do we mean by that? Simply put, we mean that the oil you put in your engine is critical to maintaining your vehicle’s function. Without it, you have a useless car.

Here’s why — engine parts work under extreme conditions. These components are constantly rubbing against each other at high temperatures, which causes grinding and wear. The engine oil protects them from extensive wear and breaking down by creating a lubricating barrier between them.

Are you curious about what kind of oil is best for your engine? Read on to find out more.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

The two main types of car oil are synthetic and conventional. While both have their advantages, their effectiveness also depends on what your car needs. The main difference between synthetic and conventional oils lies in their base formulation, which makes a huge impact on the behavior of each product.

What Is Conventional Oil?

This kind of oil comes from refined crude oil, and its high level of viscosity index causes it to flow more slowly through the engine. That’s why it’s best for drivers who mostly use their vehicles for routine use, like running errands or commuting to work. It’s also good for older, low-mileage engines that need a little extra TLC. That said, older vehicles that have driven more than 75,000 miles might benefit more from a switch to a high-mileage oil.

Generally, conventional oil is both less expensive and more available than synthetic oil, but as gearheads will tell you, it’s sub-par in performance when used in most new cars.

What Is Synthetic Oil?

As the name implies, synthetic motor oil is a human-made product. Just like conventional oil, it works to lubricate your engine parts. However, synthetic oils are tailor-made to provide the highest levels of engine performance and reliability. As a result, they’re ideal for use in high-performance engines that travel long distances.

There are two types of synthetic oil you can use in your engine:

• – Full synthetic: This type of oil is made with a high-quality synthetic oil base and a selection of additives to increase performance. 
• – Synthetic blend: These oils are typically a combination of conventional and high-quality synthetic oils, and additives help boost the oil’s performance and efficiency.

Even though full synthetic oils contain crude oil, their formulation process removes more impurities than synthetic blends. This process improves:

• – Oil flow
• – Sludge and deposit resistance
• – Wear protection
• – Engine condition
• – Vehicle performance

Of course, you’ll still notice improvements in your engine’s performance when you switch to a synthetic blend. However, full synthetics will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Advantages of Synthetic Oil

Is synthetic oil better for your engine? For most cars, the answer is yes. Here’s why:

• – Reduced friction: Unlike conventional oils, the molecules in synthetic oils are uniform in size, which helps to eliminate friction.
• – Longer oil change intervals: With conventional oil, you need to take your car in about every 3,000-5,000 miles, but synthetic oil allows you to stretch that interval out to every 10,000-15,000 miles. That’s an enormous improvement.
• – Fewer emissions: Due to the consistency in molecular size, loads flow smoothly across the lubricant film, which decreases the number of emissions your vehicle produces and can even reduce energy consumption.
• – Cleaner engines: As oil flows through your engine, it picks up contaminants, like the debris produced by moving parts. This accumulation can lead to the creation of deposits and sludge in your system. A synthetic oil is more resistant to sludge and deposit formation than conventional oils, so your engine stays cleaner for longer.
• – Better flow: When you’re not driving your car, oil settles in the engine. In low temperatures, your oil will need to warm up to flow properly. Fortunately, full synthetic oils can flow quickly, even in cold climates.
• – Increased protection: The engine of a car gets extremely hot, which causes motor oil to break down and evaporate over time. These oils are more resistant to increased temperatures than conventional oils, which means they’ll protect your engine for longer, even under severe conditions.

Change Intervals for Gasoline and Diesel Engine Oils

For conventional oils, most manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. However, one of the main advantages of synthetic oils is the extended oil change intervals. Generally, you can change your oil every 10,000-15,000 miles when you use synthetic oil. This range can vary depending on several factors:

• – Brand of oil
• – Driving style
• – Engine demands
• – Age of vehicle

The above factors may require you to change your engine oil more often. In case you’re switching oil for the first time or need some tips, here are some signs your vehicle may need an oil change:

• – Dark color: If you check your oil and notice it looks dark and slightly opaque, it’s time to bring it in — motor oil should be a transparent amber color.
• – Engine noise: The lubricating properties of motor oil keep your engine quiet. If you hear rumbling or knocking sounds when you start your vehicle, you need to change your oil ASAP.
• – Exhaust smell: If you can smell exhaust or gasoline from inside the car, your engine might be overheating due to low or contaminated oil. An overheating engine is a sure sign you need to bring your vehicle in.

Of course, each vehicle has different needs. If you’re unsure about how long you should wait between oil changes, talk to your auto technician or consult your vehicle’s manual.

Buy Top-Performing Synthetic Oil From Hot Shot’s Secret

If you want to maximize the efficiency of your engine, Hot Shot’s Secret has the solution for you. Our science-backed formulas are proven to increase vehicle performance and extend your engine’s lifespan.

For the best in all-around engine protection, check out our Blue Diamond engine oils. We use a 100% synthetic PAO formula of high-quality Group IV and Group V oils to deliver the best in performance and predictability in various conditions. Plus, they’re infused with our patented FR3 Nano-Technology, which increases film strength and lubrication between machine parts.

Check out our site for all of our engine oils, or browse our products to find your car’s next favorite additive.