As I write this, gasoline now averages over four dollars a gallon! The price of almost everything we buy is going up and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight!

It’s no wonder people are trying all sorts of things in an effort to save money on gas. In fact, they are trying to save money in almost every way possible!

While no one suggestion is going to solve the problem of high gas prices, there are many things that can be done, each of which can contribute to some savings. One of them is to start using synthetic motor oils in our motor vehicles. While the savings for the individual may be small, it all helps.

Fleet owners or commercial motor vehicle operators, truck drivers in particular, may find fuel and maintenance savings important to their bottom line.

How does using synthetic motor oil and other synthetic lubricants save money on gas?

What other savings can be found by using synthetics instead of petroleum-based lubricants?

What other benefits can come from using these products?

Well, the less efficiently an engine runs, the more fuel it burns. All motor oils and lubricants, whether they are synthetic or petroleum-based, will degrade over time. As they break down, they lose their viscosity, that is, their ability to lubricate. During their peak viscosity period, when new, they will help the engine run at or near peak efficiency. However, over time, heat will cause them to lose their viscosity.

Less viscosity means a less efficient motor! A less efficient engine means one that burns more gasoline or diesel fuel to do its job.

Synthetic motor oils retain their viscosity longer than petroleum-based lubricants. This means that the engine runs more efficiently for a longer period of time. This in turn means that the engine needs less fuel to do what it has to do.

Second, synthetic motor oils, when used correctly and changed on time, can be more efficient in protecting an engine from wear and tear. This means that the motor lasts longer and stays closer to its point of maximum efficiency for a longer period of time. Over the life of the vehicle, this means better fuel economy that translates to what we’re all looking for … a way to save money on gasoline or diesel fuel.

There are other savings too!

Although synthetic motor oils cost more per unit than petroleum-based products, the intervals between oil changes are longer and offset the initial cost of the oil. While this initial cost can be two to three times the cost of conventional motor oil, the change interval can be up to 35,000 miles with normal use as opposed to the 3,000 to 5,000 miles recommended with most conventional oils.

This means that while a synthetic motor oil can cost three times more than a conventional product, it can last up to seven times longer!

Don’t forget that the motorist or truck driver is not only saving on the total cost of the lubricant, but they are also saving on the cost of the oil change! In addition, during periods of time between oil changes, the longer-lasting viscosity of synthetic motor oil means that the engine is running near its maximum efficiency for longer rather than losing efficiency multiple times as oil-based products will. oil as it wears out and is lost. its ability to lubricate effectively during multiple cycles.

Finally, many of us today look beyond the monetary cost of fuel and lubricants and look for ways to improve the environment. Petroleum is not a renewable resource, and the use of synthetic motor oils allows us to perform necessary maintenance on our vehicles while keeping them at or near their maximum efficiency for longer while still allowing us to use a product that does not rely on. so much oil.

Many are seeking to make a political or economic statement and do not wish to continue what they believe to be America’s dependence on foreign oil! These people can find synthetic oils made in the United States that will help reduce this dependence.

Again, the single motorist won’t have much of an impact on your pocketbook or the state of the world. However, if many motorists, truck drivers, fleet managers, RV owners, and chainsaw or lawnmower operators choose synthetic motor oils over conventional lubricants, they can impress others and perhaps create a world in which people turn to synthetic motor oil to save money on gas and keep your vehicles and power tools longer and running more efficiently.