Is it true you can't use regular engine oil after using synthetic?
Posted by deleted_by_reddit@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 5 comments
I've been told if you change your oil with synthetic you can't go back to regular engine oil. Is this true? If so, why?
TurbulentFlow@reddit
No.
Synthetics contain different detergents, seal-swellers, and other additives, but there's nothing there preventing you from going back to normal oil.
Next time someone tells you this, ask them the difference between Group IV and Group V synthetics and if they can't answer, they're just repeating something they heard from their father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate.
Traditional_Reply224@reddit
Did you just go over my helmet?
mopar39426ml@reddit
No.
I used to work with someone who used to work for a chemical company, and the standards for what makes an oil "synthetic" are loose. Synthetic oil can simply be more refined oil than a 'conventional' oil.
I short, most synthetic oil is refined to where all the molecules are approximately the same size, versus largely different sizes.
Ex:
OoOOoOooO
VS
oooooooooo
(Imagine each O is a molecule)
LilSebastian_482@reddit
Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful and spooky answer!
Sad-Manager-5692@reddit
Maybe someone should take a chemistry course...
Saying oil is the same with different length hydrocarbon chains is akin to saying all thermoplastics are the same or diesel is the same as gasoline, kerosene and motor oil. All made from crude oil and all have different hydrocarbon sizes.