Car Talk by J. B. Griffin III.

Dear JB,
My brother-in-law and I are having an argument and I would like to have your opinion. He says that there is no difference between synthetic motor oil and regular and that the oil companies are just

making big bucks off a gimmick. I say there is a difference and that it is worth the extra money in an expensive engine. To be truthful, my brother-in-law is an idiot, no matter what you say he will still be convinced otherwise, but I do have a second question to add to the first. Just between you and I, we both know that synthetic is better in high revving 4 and 6 cylinder overhead cam engines, but what about using it in older high mileage vehicles. Wouldn't it extend the lives of them, too?

Your friend,
Hy Gear

Dear Hy,

Yes, you are correct on both counts! Synthetic oil is far and away the best lubricant for your car.  You can actually feel the difference with your own fingers. Yes, regular oil is an excellent lubricant and will work just fine in your engine from now on, IF, you never run your engine hot or low on oil. When either of those conditions occur using regular oil your engine may be cooked, but if you have synthetic oil in the

crankcase your engine will probably live through the mishap just fine. There are other benefits of synthetic as well. Rotating friction can be greatly reduced using the right kind of synthetic which means your fuel economy will be increased. The wear that occurs on the initial startup can be virtually eliminated if you choose an oil that continues to lubricate surfaces long after it has drained away from them. This is only possible using a high quality synthetic oil as the lubricating properties of regular motor oil practically disappear from metal surfaces after an extensive time of inactivity when the oil has drained away from them and back into the oil pan. I once attended a GM class where it was recommended to

hook a device called a pre-oiler into any engine which has been allowed to sit more than 2 weeks. This process involves removing the oil pressure sending unit and plumbing in a hose which would circulate oil through the whole engine prior to cranking. What a chore! So, yes, using synthetic oil in that case would definitely beat that little task. While we are on the subject, synthetic lubricants have made their way into other areas of the car as well. Most newer cars with automatic transmissions require synthetic fluid. In fact, we are well into the third and fourth generation of synthetics (Chrysler's ATF +4 or Ford's Mercon V, for example).

Using conventional fluid in a transmission designed for synthetic is disastrous! The same holds true for differentials, especially in pick-up trucks. With so many trucks now having some sort of an anti-slip clutch assembly incorporated into them synthetic lubricants aren't just good practice, they are mandatory.

Have a great 2007!


JB Griffin owns and operates JB's Auto Sales and Service in Evensville, Tennessee. You may see him weekly on the WDEF-TV News 12 Morning Show every Tuesday at 7:10 a.m. where he will answer your car care questions live and on air. Visit him on the web at:  www.500overcost.com
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