What does fully synthetic mean for cars?
2 Answers
Fully synthetic for cars refers to the fully synthetic engine oil used in vehicles. Fully synthetic engine oil is a high-quality product made entirely from PAO (polyalphaolefin) or artificially synthesized esters, and will be labeled with the word "synthetic" on the oil container. Fully synthetic oil is the highest grade: Engine oil is mainly divided into mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil, and fully synthetic oil. In terms of grades, synthetic oils are mainly represented by SL, SM, and SN grade oils, while fully synthetic oil represents the highest grade of engine oil, hence it uses the SN grade, which is the latest oil standard. API on the oil stands for the American Petroleum Institute, and the grades are SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM, and SN, with each subsequent grade being higher. Advantages of fully synthetic oil: In usage, fully synthetic oil has a wider temperature range and a longer service life; for the same oil film requirements, synthetic oil can achieve this with lower viscosity, whereas semi-synthetic oil requires a relatively thicker viscosity compared to synthetic oil to meet the same requirements.
I've been driving for over a decade and I think fully synthetic oil is purely man-made lubricant, not the kind of mineral oil directly derived from crude petroleum. Chemical synthesis makes it more refined with uniform molecules, so the engine won't thin out easily at high temperatures and starts quicker in freezing winters. After using it, I noticed the engine runs quieter with less vibration, especially protecting internal components from wear during long highway drives. The oil change interval can extend beyond 10,000 km, unlike mineral oil that degrades by 5,000 km. Though synthetic oil costs more, it's worry-free and convenient in the long run. The engine lasts longer and runs smoother for safer driving – totally worth it.
