Why use synthetic oil in your car?

Answer 1

Good question. I personally do not use synthetic in my car. I do however use it in my air cooled lawn mower. A 2-year motor oil test done on 75 New York taxi cabs in 1996 showed no significant nor any discernable differences whatsoever between using a quality regular motor oil versus synthetic motor oil in terms of performance, sludge buildup, and wear and tear. It's an equal tie or in other words it looks to be more of a matter of financial capabilities whether a motorist can afford the overly expensive price of synthetic oil mostly for the peace of mind since apparently synthetic oil is practically no better and no worse than regular motor oil with additives. Synthetic or semi-synthetic motor oil does offer longer time periods between oil changes compared to using regular motor oil especially for drivers who might be prone to ignoring their periodic maintenance oil changes. For most motorists but not for all, although synthetic motor oil is better than regular motor oil it's probably not likely worth the overly expensive price tag unless you're into high performance racing or live in very extreme climate temperatures otherwise everything else about full-synthetic motor oil sounds to be pure hype and perhaps possibly the placebo effect or else we would've expected any noticeable degree and/or some kind of significant difference of sludge buildup and/or wear and tear in at least one engine out of the 75 city cabs from a 2-year motor oil test instead of absolute zero difference, wouldn't we? IMHO, it is not necessary for the average car. That being said, if the manufacture of you car recommends synthetic then by all means use it.