Use Synthetic Motor Oil
Save Money on Gas and Vehicle Maintenance

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How You Can Save Money on Gas with Synthetic Motor Oil

By Donovan Baldwin

As I am writing this article, gas prices are averaging over four dollars a gallon!  Today, the price of almost everything we buy is going up, and there does not seem to be any relief in sight!  The increase in the cost of gas and diesel fuel, in fact in all petrolem based products, not only affects us directly, but indirectly as well as we are paying for higher production and distribution costs of the other products we buy.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that people are trying all sorts of things in an effort to save money on gas and increase fuel economy.  In fact, they are trying to figure out how to save money almost any way that they can!

While no single suggestion that I, or anyone else, can make 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 these is to start using synthetic motor oils in our motor vehicles.  While the savings for the individual might be small, every little bit helps.  

Truck Drivers and Fleet Owners Pay Attention

Fleet owners or the operators of commercial motor vehicles, truck drivers in particular, might find the savings on fuel, and maintenance, to be significant to their bottom line.  I spent several years as an Over-the-Road driver.  Before that, I was an accountant, and I was able to see the correlation between proper maintenance, effective vehicle use, and cost of fuel.  As one of my customers, Roger, an owner operator puts it, "I won't use anything other than AMSOIL in my truck!.  I have for years and have seen the difference."

So, here's the questions we want to look at today.

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

What other savings can be experienced through the use of synthetics as opposed to petroleum based lubricants?

What other benefits can be expected as the result of using these products?

Your Vehicle's Engine

Let's start with oil and the engine.  The less efficiently an engine operates, the more fuel it burns.  All motor oils and lubricants, whether synthetic or petroleum based, will break down over time.  As they break down due to heat over their life cycle, they lose their viscosity, i. e. their ability to lubricate.  During the period of their maximum viscosity, when they are new, they will help the engine operate at or near its peak efficiency.  Over time, however, heat will cause them to lose their viscosity.

Viscosity

What is the importance of viscosity?  

Simply put, less viscosity means a less efficient engine!  A less efficient engine means one that burns more gas or diesel fuel to do its job.

Synthetic lubricants, such as AMSOIL synthetic motor oil, retain their viscosity longer than conventional, petroleum based, lubricants.  This means that the engine is running more efficiently for a longer period of time between oil changes.  This means, in turn, that the engine needs less fuel to do what it needs to do.

Efficiency

Secondly, synthetic motor oils, such as those available through AMSOIL, when used properly and changed on schedule, can be more efficient at protecting an engine against wear and tear.  This means that the engine lasts longer and remains closer to its point of maximum efficiency for a longer period of time.  Over the life of the vehicle, this means better fuel economy which translates into what we are all searching for...a way to save money on gas or diesel fuel.

More Savings

Synthetic motor oils actually do cost more per unit than petroleum based products, but the intervals between oil changes is greater and offsets the initial cost of the oil.  While this initial cost may be two or three times the cost of conventional motor oil, change interval can be as much as 35,000 miles with normal use as opposed to the 3,000 to 5,000 miles recommended with most conventional oils.  

This means that, over time, while a synthetic motor oil may cost three times as much as a conventional product when intially purchased, it can last up to seven times as long!

Fewer Oil Changes

Don't forget, that not only is the motorist or truck driver saving on the overall cost of the lubricant, but they are saving on the cost of the oil change as well!  Also, during the time periods between oil changes, the longer lasting viscosity of the synthetic motor oil means that the engine is operating near its maximum efficiency for a longer time rather than losing efficiency several times as petroleum based products will as they wear out and lose their ability to lubricate effectively over multiple cycles.

Improve the Environment

Finally, many of us today are looking beyond the monetary cost of fuel and lubricants and are seeking ways to improve the environment.  Petroleum is not a renewable resource, and using synthetic motor oils allows us to perform necessary maintenance on our vehicles while keeping them at or near maximum efficiency longer while simultaneously allowing us to use a product that does not depend as much on petroleum.  

Decrease Dependence on Foreign 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 American made synthetic oils which will help decrease dependence on foreign oil.

You Choose

Again, the single motorist, such as you or I, will not make much of an impact on his or her pocketbook or on the state of the world.  However, if many motorists, truck drivers, fleet managers, RV owners, and chainsaw or lawn mower operators choose synthetic motor oils over conventional lubricants, they can make an impression on others and perhaps create a world in which people turn to synthetic motor oil to save money on gas and keep their vehicles and power tools lasting longer and working more efficiently.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donovan Baldwin is a freelance writer and Amsoil distributor currently living in Copperas Cove, Texas.  He is retired from the military after 21 years of service and knows about the value of effective lubrication and fuel costs due to his having been a truck driver for several years.  He is a member of Mensa and the American Legion and writes regularly on issues related to the environment, health, and fitness.  

You can find more information on AMSOIL synthetic motor oil, the environment, vehicle operation and maintenance, alternative energy, and related topics, including how to save money, on his site at http://lubedealer.com/syntheticoil.

If you would like to learn more about Amsoil Synthetic Oil and Lubricants, email me!

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