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Conventional petroleum-based oil. Synthetic oil. Synthetic blend. What is the best choice for your vehicle? 

Synthetic oil was developed in 1877. It became important in WWII when countries were cut off from petroleum products and conventional oil performed poorly in extreme temperatures. It was primarily used in aircraft and tanks. After WWII, focus on synthetic oil dropped off until the 60s as engine technology changed and Americans put more miles on our cars than ever before. To answer the demand, major oil companies began to introduce their own synthetic oil options. Mobil introduced its synthetic oil in 1974, Chevron in 1990, and Valvoline in 1992.  

 

These days, we’re asking more of our engines. They run at higher RPMs and travel longer distances for more years. Many components in your engine have advanced in ways that require specialized lubricants for them to work at their best. Some car manufacturers now suggest using only synthetic oil in your vehicle. This can improve your fuel economy and result in better winter performance, including quicker starts in extremely low temperatures. 

 

An oil change is one of the most important vehicle maintenance schedules to keep on top of. Many drivers only get one oil change a year, often going 10,000 miles or more without checking out how their vehicle is doing under the hood. Stay on top of routine maintenance – your car will thank you!  

Synthetic oil helps your engine stay cooler by doing a superior job of lubricating your engine, reducing friction. This can extend the life of your engine. Do you currently use conventional oil? For most cars, you can switch to synthetic or synthetic blend with no issues. If you decide synthetic isn’t for you, you can switch back without causing damage to your vehicle.  

 

Did you hear that synthetic oil is not right for high -mileage vehicles? That’s a myth! High -mileage vehicles can reap the same benefits as newer vehicles when using synthetic oil.  

 

Speaking of choices, when’s the last time you thought about the air in your tires? Do you have choices for what you fill them with? Yes! Some drivers put nitrogen in their tires vs. the typical compressed air. The benefits to using nitrogen include running cooler and not introducing moisture into your tire. The main challenge with using nitrogen is finding a supplier. If your tire pressure is low, it’s better to put air in it rather than waiting until you have the chance to fill it with nitrogen. It is ok to mix compressed air and nitrogen in your tire. You don’t want to travel far with a low tire - that could lead to reduced fuel efficiency, not to mention increased wear and the possibility of other damage. The most benefit to using nitrogen in tires can be seen in motor coaches that travel long distances and aircraft which experience rapid drastic temperature changes. Is nitrogen worth it? You choose! 

 

Synthetic oil is the best choice overall for most vehicles, but as long as you stay on top of your oil change schedule, feel free to use what you're most comfortable with. The same can be said for the air in your tires - some people swear by nitrogen. We say as long as your tires stay properly inflated, you'll be on the road for years to come. If you want to make sure, feel free to bring your car to any Schierl Tire & Service Center, where we'll be happy to check everything out and tell you everything you need to know!