Myth vs. Fact - Know the Truth


Don’t be fooled by the misconceptions. In an effort to set the record straight, we've assembled some of the more persistent myths about motor oil and put them up against the facts.

Myth: The oil is no good if it turns dark quickly.
You can tell the condition of your oil by the look, smell, or color of it.


Fact: Dark oil does not indicate the need for an oil change. A common belief is that when changing your motor oil it should come out of your engine looking clean. The oil should actually be dirty when it is drained if it has done its job of cleaning the engine. Most motor oil will start to look dirty after only a short time after it’s been put to use. These are good signs, proving that the motor oil is doing its job of keeping soot, dirt, and other contaminants from the engine parts. By following the manufacturer's recommended oil change interval, you are changing your oil long before the oil has become saturated.

 


Myth: The normal oil change intervals recommended by the car manufacturers are conservative. I can lengthen them.


Fact: The normal change intervals in the owner's manual are not conservative today. Engines have become more demanding of the oil, but the intervals recommended have not been shortened. Most of us drive our cars in "severe" service, for which change intervals are about half as long as the normal intervals. Short trips, stop-and-go traffic, living in a coastal area and driving around town create severe conditions for the engine oil.

 


Myth: My car manufacturer says I'm supposed to use their branded oil to protect my warranty.


Fact: Warranty cannot be tied to the use of a specific brand of oil, but it can be tied to a specific quality level of oil. Use of a lesser quality oil is construed as abuse, which is not covered by the warranty. Choosing a certain brand of replacement filter will also not void your warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act states that a manufacturer may not require the use of any certain brand of filter (or any other article) unless the manufacturer provides the item free of charge under the terms of the warranty.

 


Myth: Using a synthetic motor oil will void a manufacturer’s warranty.


Fact: No major automobile manufacturer specifically bans the use of synthetic lubricants. Using a synthetic oil will not void the warranty as long as the synthetic product meets the performance requirements and viscosity stated in the owner’s manual. New vehicle warranties are based upon the use of oils meeting specific API Service Classifications. Synthetic lubricants, which meet current API Service requirements, are suited for use in any vehicle without affecting the vehicle’s warranty.

 


Myth: You can’t switch from a synthetic oil to conventional oil or vice versa.
You can't mix brands of motor oil.
Synthetic and conventional engine oils can’t be mixed, or else they cause engine problems.


Fact: As long as the synthetic and conventional motor oil products meet the viscosity and performance requirements in your vehicle's owner’s manual, you may interchange them. The additive systems in each of the brands may be different and when mixed may not function as efficiently as desired, however no serious problems will occur if you add a different brand of equivalent quality.

 


Myth: Synthetic motor oils eat gasket material and cause engines to leak.
Synthetic and synthetic blend motor oils cannot be used in older or high-mileage vehicles.


Fact: Synthetic oils do not cause engine oil leaks. Deteriorated and hardened seals and gaskets cause leaks. If the seals are in good condition, synthetic oils may be used in a high-mileage engine. The additive mix in the oil is what counts. Additives to control seal swell and hardening are required, whether it be a synthetic or petroleum product that is being produced.

 


Myth: I broke in my engine on Brand X, now I can't switch brands.


Fact: Be sure that during the break-in period you use the same high quality (API SL) oil that your manufacturer recommends. Special break-in oils are not needed or recommended. You can change the brand oil used any time, just continue to use the same high quality level recommended.


There are a lot of misconceptions out there and without being aware of the facts you could spend more money or withhold from doing something because you were led astray. I hope this article has shed some light on the common myths about motor oil. Oil is vital to your vehicle so it’s important to know the truth so you don’t do harm to your engine. Have a safe drive.