Conventional mineral oils come from crude oil. Oil, as an organic substance, contains hundreds of thousands of molecules of all shapes and sizes, with lubrication qualities that range from better to worse. Refining allows us to filter these oils and eliminate the least desirable substances. However, the final product still contains molecules that have very different qualities.

It's a fact that traditional mineral oils are incapable of accomplishing all the functions that a modern motor demands. To meet these demands, you have to add a certain number of additives to fill in the gaps, or correct the imperfections. Additives make up 15% to 25% of modern oils because they reduce wear, friction and the accumulation of mud, and other products, that become deposited in oil due to the many chemical changes that occur under extreme heat. For example, we add anti-foaming agents to limit the amount of air bubbles. We also add polymers to the composition of oil, giving its multi-grade quality.

When we talk about synthetic oils, though, the situation is a little different. As opposed to the molecules found in traditional oils, the molecules in synthetic oils are man-made. The molecule's type, form and dimension are all determined in advance. These ultra-precise measures allow for maximum performance. And because the make-up of these molecules is artificial, they only contain particles that will lubricate and protect the engine, contrary to mineral oils that contain impurities. In addition, the base liquid itself is a multi-grade, which protect against high viscosity levels.

The polymers added to turn mineral oil into a multi-grade is the week point of this process. Once they reach their useful life, they break down, causing an accumulation of mud and a decline in viscosity. A 5W-50 mineral oil requires too many polymers to reach the right viscosity index.

Originally developed in Germany during the Second World War to overcome the petroleum shortage and respond to turboreactor requirements, synthetic oils acquired great market share. For example, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Aston Martin and Chevrolet Corvette all rely on synthetic oils at their factories.

The more we use a good synthetic oil, we should think about using the same oil throughout the life of our car. Of course, we should all have our cars checked regularly to ensure that the system is clean, including filtres.

Synthetic oils also present other advantages, starting with reduced friction and longer lasting parts. These oils are more fluid at low temperatures and their ability to circulate quickly protects the engine well when you start the car in the cold. Their cleaning capacity is also superior as they oxidize less when in contact with combustible acids and other contaminants.

Synthetic oils are also more stable and less fluid in extreme heat, supporting an additional 30° C when conditions are equal. In addition, synthetic oils offer superior viscosity indexes, performance and stability over time, allowing you to go longer between oil changes. These are superior quality oils that I have no choice but to recommend.

Synthetic oils are available for both manual and automatic transmissions, as well as to replace transmission fluids. They offer all the advantages of motor oil, with better high-temperature resistance, reduced friction and a longer lifespan.

In conclusion, synthetic oils represent an interesting solution. Sure they're more expensive, but they're longer lasting (and more friendly to the environment too). But beware: be sure to consult a specialist before you start using one and remember to regularly check your motor. Because even if the heart of your lubrication system is oil, it is still only one part of a bigger system.