Understanding the Mixibility of Synthetic and Regular Motor Oil
All commercially available motor oils are designed to be miscible and compatible, which means that mixing them is generally safe. However, the choice of oil can significantly impact the performance and longevity of your engine.
The Import of Synthetic Oil and its Benefits
Synthetic motor oil is highly prized for its superior performance characteristics, especially in high-temperature environments. One of the primary advantages of synthetic oil is its ability to resist breakdown, which allows for longer intervals between oil changes. However, using a blend of synthetic and regular (conventional) oil means you won't fully achieve the extended drain intervals that synthetic oil offers.
When you mix synthetic and conventional oils, you essentially create a weighted average of the recommended drain interval for both types. This means you'll still benefit from the extended intervals provided by synthetic oil, but not to the full extent. It's important to use oil that is rated for your engine or higher, which you can find in your car’s owner's manual or on the bottle of oil.
Compatibility and Market Blends
The market offers many blends that combine synthetic and mineral base stocks. This blend provides a compromise between the performance of synthetic oil and the cost-effectiveness of conventional oil. Industry standards must be met to ensure these blends are also compatible and perform adequately.
If you're considering mixing oils, remember that there are significant benefits to using the oil recommended by your engine manufacturer. They know the specific requirements and performance characteristics suitable for your vehicle. Using the correct oil ensures that your engine receives the best possible protection against wear and tear.
Synthetic vs Regular Oil: Mixing Weights and Advantages
Many people have concerns about mixing different types of motor oil, especially regarding their weights. While it's generally safe to mix synthetic and mineral oils, it's essential not to make the mixture too thick. In my personal experience, I often mix different weights of oil to achieve a balance that works for my particular driving conditions. For my current vehicle, which suggests a 5W-40 blend, my mix of both multi-weight and straight-weight oil ends up around a 20W-40 weight.
Consider where you live when deciding on the best oil mix. If you live in a hot climate, the mixture can tend to thicken less, reducing cold start issues. On the other hand, in colder climates, you may need to decide based on the recommendations from your manufacturer or experiment to find the best balance. Some studies suggest that mixing one quart of synthetic oil with four quarts of conventional oil can provide nearly the same level of protection as pure synthetic oil, especially in bench tests at room temperature.
From my experience, mixing oils allowed me to use conventional oil until synthetic oil became more cost-effective. Now, I use synthetic oil for engine protection, and for occasional break-in situations on smaller engines like generators or weed whackers, I revert to using dino oil. Considering the overall cost per mile and the potential cost savings from engine rebuilds, synthetic oil has become the more economical choice over time.