February 11, 2021
THREE TYPES OF ENGINE OILS AND WHEN TO USE THEM
Protect your vehicles’ engines with the right oil
All engine oils have many “jobs”. To simplify: An engine oil’s primary job is to provide sufficient lubrication to protect against the heat and friction caused by the moving parts inside internal combustion engines. However, not all engine oils are the same, and it’s vital to know which one is best suited for each job.
Engines that are properly maintained with the correct oil type will run smoother and last longer. But choosing the right oil can be complicated. Engine type and age, climate, and driving conditions all impact the wear and tear of automotive engines. Understanding the different engine oil types, specifications, and additives will help you select the best oil that matches the needs of each vehicle you service.
1. Full Synthetic Engine Oil
Today’s conventional engine oils are quality products made from refined crude oil. In comparison, modern full synthetic engine oils are created in a variety of ways ranging from severely hydroprocessing select crude stocks in order to precisely control the size and shape of base oil molecules to laboratory designed complex chemical compounds. Full synthetic oils are engineered to increase the performance of today’s more precision built and hotter-running engines as well as to meet fuel efficiency standards and emissions regulations.
Advantages of Full Synthetic Oil
Better protection
Full synthetic engine oils are made from a petroleum base oil that is purer than a conventional crude product. Fewer impurities mean that the oil doesn’t break down as quickly and protects your engine longer than conventional engine oils or even synthetic blends. Using full synthetic motor oil results in better fuel efficiency, more horsepower, and improved wear protection.
Stable viscosity
An engine’s parts are constantly moving at high speeds, creating heat and friction. Full synthetic motor oils are engineered to retain viscosity, to resist extreme heat and to still flow quickly in winter temperatures, allowing your engines to run smoothly year-round.
Turbocharger protection
Turbocharged engines are designed to improve performance and fuel efficiency. However, that improvement comes at a cost: higher temperatures. Because these engines run hotter and often have very tight oil passageways, they require a low-viscosity engine oil that can flow quicker and still withstand the heat and friction generated by a turbocharger shaft spinning at 200,000 rpms. Full synthetic engine oils are the best-suited to perform at high temperatures, protect against thermal breakdown, and retain viscosity under these extreme conditions.
Cleaner engines
As oil flows through a vehicle’s engine during combustion, deposits form. Deposits from conventional oils can turn into sludge that builds up in the engine, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Synthetic engine oils contain chemical detergents and other additives that resist the buildup of deposits. Cleaner engines run smoother, more efficiently, and longer than dirty, congested engines.
Kendall GT-1® Max with LiquiTek®
Our full synthetic automotive engine oil designed to provide maximum engine protection for gasoline-fueled and flex-fuel passenger cars and light trucks under all operating conditions.
Full Synthetic Engine Oil – Euro
European cars require different oils with different specifications than cars manufactured in the U.S. This is due to the European Union’s stricter emissions standards, the more frequent use of diesel engines, and longer service intervals.
European emissions standards
The EU more strictly limits carbon dioxide (C02) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions than the U.S. Because of this, European OEMs use more diesel engines. Diesel engines emit less CO2 and CO and provide better fuel economy but emit more nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. To counteract this, diesel-powered European cars are equipped with filters and catalysts to reduce tailpipe emissions.
Oil components, such as sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur (known as SAPS), can shorten the lifespan of diesel engines and emissions devices. Therefore, it is imperative to choose synthetic oils formulated specifically for European vehicles that contain lower SAPS levels to protect emissions-control systems.
Longer drain intervals
While in the US and Canada, the traditional 3,000-5,000 mile oil change still exists, European automakers recommend longer oil change intervals – from 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Longer drain intervals require a robust synthetic oil capable of protecting against wear, deposits and sludge for the duration.
OEM recommendations
Each European OEM’s recommendations and specifications vary slightly from one another. Overall, European OEM engine oil specifications tend to be stricter on different performance characteristics than in the US and Canada. These specifications require technology delivered exclusively by full synthetic oils.
Our premium quality, full synthetic, full-SAPS motor oil is designed for high-performance European gasoline engines.
Our premium-quality, full synthetic, low-SAPS oil specifically designed for high-performance European diesel engines.
2. Synthetic Blend Oil
Just as the name implies, this type of oil is a mixture of synthetic base stocks and conventional crude-based oil. Synthetic blends provide some of the performance advantages of a full synthetic at prices more closely comparable to conventional oils.
Using full synthetic oil costs about 30% more than using a synthetic blend. While conventional oils will only last about 3,000-5,000 miles between oil changes, full synthetics can last up to 15,000 miles (sometimes more). Synthetic blends fall somewhere in the middle at about 7,500 miles. Therefore, using a synthetic blend provides a step up in protection without breaking the bank.
Kendall GT-1 Synthetic Blend Oils
Our family of premium synthetic blend automotive engine oil provides technologically advanced engine protection for gasoline-fueled and flex-fuel passenger cars and light trucks under all operating conditions.
Kendall GT-1 High Performance with LiquiTek
Our high-quality, part-synthetic automotive engine oil designed to provide excellent engine protection for both turbocharged gasoline direct injection, conventional gasoline-fueled and flex-fueled passenger cars and light trucks under all operating conditions.
Kendall GT-1 Elite with LiquiTek
Our premier quality, part-synthetic automotive engine oil designed to provide outstanding engine protection for both turbocharged gasoline direct injection, conventional gasoline-fueled and flex-fueled passenger cars and light trucks under all operating conditions. Offers the same protection levels as GT-1 High Performance, but with an even more robust combination of additives and a quality base oils to offer consumers another step up in quality at a price below that of a full synthetic.
Synthetic Blend Oil – High Mileage
High mileage oils are formulated to overcome the added engine stress conditions of older vehicles and engines that have been driven for 75,000 miles or more. High-mileage vehicles are prone to cracked seals, oil leaks and/or oil burn-off. In response, specialized oils formulated for high-mileage vehicles include additives that compensate for these old age symptoms, reducing leaks and inhibiting oil combustion.
Kendall GT-1 High Mileage Booster
The industry’s first oil supplement that, when used as directed, results in a blend that meets current API and ILSAC performance standards. This pour-in solution helps reduce inventory cost and space. What’s more? High Mileage Booster can be added to one of our full synthetic passenger car engine oils to offer consumers a truly exceptional level of protection.
Kendall GT-1 Endurance High Mileage
Our synthetic blend automotive engine oil specially designed for use in gasoline-fueled vehicles with more than 75,000 miles.
3. Conventional Engine Oils
All conventional engine oils are initially refined from natural petroleum crude. With so many manufacturers switching to synthetic motor oils, you may wonder if it’s ever okay to use conventional oils. Conventional oils still have their place and can provide good protection under the right circumstances at a lower price.
Conventional oils are typically used in older cars and those out of warranty and generally cost much less than synthetic oils. Those who are diligent about timely oil changes can use conventional oil, if the owner’s manual indicates it is permissible to do so. Additionally, more frequent oil changes can alert a mechanic to a serious problem developing in an engine.
Our conventional automotive engine oil designed for use in gasoline-fueled passenger cars and light trucks that do not require an ILSAC GF-6 oil for warranty coverage.
Our full line of Kendall Motor Oil is masterfully engineered with pure base oils and advanced additive packages. Kendall offers a full slate of products so that we can offer not only a quality oil, but also the RIGHT oil for your engine.
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