STOP Using Regular Oil - 4 Reasons Synthetic is BETTER!

Here are some great links to dig deeper into the history of motor oil...

For a deeper dive into the science of lubrication, check out my good friend Rafe Britton's channel @LubricationExplained

(I do not benefit from this financially, but I'd love to see fans of this channel support the Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers)

Who is The Motor Oil Geek? I'm a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Certified Lubrication Specialist and Oil Monitoring Analyst (I've maintained both of those for over a decade). I also worked for Joe Gibbs Racing for 12 years as their lubricant specialist. During that time, we worked with Wix Filters (one of our sponsors) to test and develop filters for our race engines. We also worked with Lubrizol and Chevron-Phillips Chemical to test and develop oils for our race cars. Following that, I was the head of R&D for Driven Racing Oil. During that time, I formulated and tested over 50 products. We also worked with Cummins, Comp Cams, Oak Ridge National Labs and General Motors on various R&D products. Those efforts are recorded in peer reviewed white papers published by SAE International and ACS Sustainable Chemistry journals. I also own and operate SPEEDiagnostix, which provides used oil analysis.

#history #crudeoil #motoroil #valvoline #automobile #kendall #mobil1 #pennzoil #automotivehistory #aviation

[themotoroilgeek]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. There are SO many comments that I won't be able to get to all of them. With that said, here are some answers and links to some of the common comments.


(The quick answer is that synthetic oil is fine on seals in modern engines. For classic cars with original seals, stick with conventional oil if that's what you've been using)

[boxleylarry]

Never imagined that I would be hooked on motor oil videos! Very informative

[contemporaryprimitiveman]

When synthetic oil first became readily available a senior project engineer at CAT assigned a team to evaluate them. I’ve been using synthetic in everything since the mid 1970s.

[jamesplotkin]

This channel deserves a million subscribers, as the information is excellent and anyone can understand it, Thanks, Lake.

[CelataForCongress]

Lake man, you are REALLY kicking some ass here!!!! You definitely made a winner with this channel!!

[stevenpiehl]

This is a total eye-opener. I’ve been adding additive to my synthetic oils. All my race engines tow vehicles, daily drivers thinking I was doing only good of course certainly not gonna play chemistry major any longer. Thanks Lake

[wilwil]

As a lube tech that never touches engine oils: it keeps amazing me how great you explain how these oils work. Really, really good job. Extremely insightful.

[leonjohansson]

I told a friend of mine back in the 80s about synthetic oil, and he put it in his truck. He worked at Steamboat Springs Ski area and one night it got down to -65F. He was the only one who made into work the next day. He vehicle was the only one that started.

[Eristotle]

Thank you so much for doing these videos, it is hard to find content that is in depth from a laymen's perspective on most science and engineering topics. 1000 channels cover the same basic 7th grade science that just scratches the surface of a topic and stop there. Also, this provides a great jumping off point to do your own research!

[TijuanaJackson]

Halfway into this video and I've completely forgotten what I got online to do. 🤣 Great work Lake. Your enthusiasm and depth of knowledge is unmatched! 🙏

[andylynnpei]

In Commerical Fishing Boat, i shifted to Synthetic 5w40 (no one in my harbour uses full Synthetic among 150 commercial boats, some are running 15w40 semi-synthetic in Cat engines) my Cummin's instantly reved up 100 rpm, and the boat gained .7 knots. The hotter the day, the smoother it ran. Easier starts too. When warmed the smoothness is noticeable.
I began using Synthetic ever since in EVERYTHING from the sawmill, motorcycle, lawnmowers. Generators, truck, and car etc.
I will Never go back. New cummins in now, after the 50 hours on Valvoline extreme Blue 15w40, going full Synthetic again.... my third engine.

[ashchaya]

I'm here for all the comments that say stuff like "I've been doing (A) for 20 years and I've never once had a car explode in a ball of flames".

[davebarron]

1983 N. MI frozen waste-land summer time. Bought a virtually New 1982 Honda CX500 Custom bike, water cooled shaft drive. My father had become a Amsoil dealer in 1980, and I had started using the engine oil in my 77 Camaro. ( I have a whole other true story of Amsoil in that car as well) My bike had an 80/90w gear oil in the rear drive that would get so hot you couldn't hold your hand on it, Dad (God bless him R.I.P) suggested I switch to Amsoil synthetic gear lube. Result? I ran the shit out the bike and could stop and place my hand on the gear drive and it would only be warm, obvious result lower friction, bingo! less ware. I was sold, and have enjoyed the amazing properties in everything I have owned since.

[kevinhenderson]

I would love to see breakdowns of diesel engine oils comparing the top brands. Thanks!!

[hotflashfoto]

I just learned a little bit more. I could not explain it to someone, but it made sense when I watched it. Looking forward to the Additives video!

[gemcityfireman]

I felt like I needed a degree in chemistry to understand any of this. I did like the breakdown at the end of the groups of oil. It’s very easy to be sold on “group 5” because it’s higher than 4, thanks for the clarification of that.

[Alan-rtse]

Way back in the 1980s, I got a USAF assignment to move from FL to Canada. My car had conventional motor oil, and the first time the temperature dropped below -20 F, my car wouldn't start. I switched to synthetic motor oil, and the car started at -40 later that winter. Since then I've always used synthetic motor oil. I've also noticed that since then, my cars have never had any significant engine wear, even after 150K miles.

[jockguy]

Thanks for all of your hard work and informative content. I took geology in university and love that you explain the science behind the videos in a way which everyone can enjoy.

[Duchydog]

Love it because the fact’s dispelled the myths of too many that continue to hold on to those.

[mcmuskie]

Please ignore the haters Lake, you’re very much appreciated.
I learn from you somehow, I thought I knew it all like some others.
Haters aren’t helping, only ruining it for the rest of us.