How Synthetic Oils Resist Breakdown Better
When temperatures rise to scorching highs or plummet below freezing, driving conditions become more demanding—not just for your engine, but for your motor oil as well.
These temperature extremes can lead to what’s known as oil breakdown—a chemical degradation of the oil that compromises its ability to protect the engine. Fortunately, synthetic oils are engineered to resist this kind of damage and maintain their performance even under harsh conditions.
🔧 What Causes Oil to Break Down?
As an engine operates, it gradually accumulates contaminants—such as dirt, soot, moisture, and even microscopic metal shavings caused by internal wear. These impurities mix with the oil and can cause it to thicken, lose its lubricating properties, and become less efficient over time.
Once the oil’s viscosity increases too much or it becomes saturated with sludge and debris, it’s no longer able to provide adequate protection for engine components.
☀️ What Happens to Oil in Extreme Heat?
High engine temperatures accelerate oxidation—an irreversible chemical reaction that thickens the oil and reduces its flow. In conventional oils, the presence of irregular and unstable molecules can worsen the problem. As the oil heats up, lighter molecules evaporate more quickly, leaving behind heavier residues that further reduce performance and increase the chance of deposits.
❄️ What Happens to Oil in Extreme Cold?
In freezing temperatures, conventional oils tend to thicken due to the presence of wax-like compounds (such as paraffins). When the oil thickens, it becomes harder to pump, delaying protection during cold starts. This delay means critical engine parts can run unprotected for several minutes, increasing wear and reducing engine life.
