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Difference between Mineral and Synthetic

How an Oil Filter Works

The oil filter helps remove contaminants from your car engine’s oil that can accumulate over time as the oil keeps your engine clean.
The importance of clean motor oil
Clean motor oil is important because if the oil were left unfiltered for a period of time, it could become saturated with tiny, hard particles that can wear surfaces in your engine. This dirty oil can wear the oil pump’s machined components and damage the bearing surfaces in the engine.
How oil filters work
The outside of the filter is a metal can with a sealing gasket that allows it to be tightly held against the engine’s mating surface. The base plate of the can holds the gasket and is perforated with holes around the area just inside the gasket. A central hole is threaded to mate with the oil filter assembly on the engine block. Inside the can is the filter material, most frequently made from synthetic fiber. The engine’s oil pump moves the oil directly to the filter, where it enters from the holes in the perimeter of the base plate. The dirty oil is passed (pushed under pressure) through the filter media and back through the central hole, where it re-enters the engine.
Choosing the right oil filter
Choosing the correct oil filter for your vehicle is of the utmost importance. Most oil filters look very similar, but small differences in the threads or gasket size can determine whether or not a particular filter will work on your vehicle. The best way to determine which oil filter you need is by consulting your owner’s manual or by referencing a parts catalog. Using the wrong filter can cause oil to leak out of the engine, or an ill-fitting filter could just fall off. Either of these situations could lead to serious engine damage.
You get what you pay for
Generally speaking, the more money you spend the better the filter is. Lower-cost oil filters can contain light-gauge metal, loose (or shredding) filter material, and poor quality gaskets that can lead to failure of the filter. Some filters may filter out smaller bits of dirt a little better, and some may last longer. So, you should research the features of each filter that fits your vehicle to determine which one best fits your needs.

Difference between a Turbocharger and Supercharger

How turbocharger and superchargers differ

Turbochargers and superchargers can sometimes get confused. With “chargers” in their names, it’s easy to mistake turbochargers and superchargers as one-to-one engine devices. However, there are a few significant differences that put them on opposite ends of the automotive spectrum.

Turbochargers and superchargers: The function of induction

Before discussing their differences, it helps to understand what links turbochargers and superchargers from an engineering standpoint. Turbochargers and superchargers are forced induction systems. These systems use compressors to push compressed air into the engine. The compressed air allows for extra oxygen to reach the engine, which helps create an extra boost of power.

The main difference between turbochargers and superchargers is their energy source. Turbochargers use the vehicle’s exhaust gas; two fans – a turbine fan and a compressor fan – rotate from exhaust gas. Conversely, superchargers are powered directly by the engine; a belt pulley drives gears that cause a compressor fan to rotate.

Turbochargers find a new purpose in modern engines

Known best for their use in high-performance cars and racing applications, turbochargers and superchargers can command a lot more power from engines. However, only turbochargers have recently experienced mainstream success and are now being leveraged by major automakers for their fuel economy benefits. Everything from sedans to light-duty trucks feature turbo options, allowing drivers to enjoy plenty of horsepower from a fuel-efficient engine.

Although superchargers are still relevant in the automotive industry, they’re not part of the latest industrywide focus on fuel economy. Superchargers are primarily installed for their boost in horsepower. Regardless of the application, turbochargers and superchargers create extreme operating conditions, placing more stress on engine oil. Mobil 1™ advanced full synthetic motor oil provides proven performance in some of the toughest conditions. It’s why automakers with celebrated turbocharged engines (e.g., Mercedes-AMG, Porsche) and supercharged engines (e.g., Corvette) use Mobil 1 motor oil as the factory fill oil in some of their vehicle models.

Start-Stop Technology and Mobil 1

Start-stop systems are another engineering response to changing fuel economy and greenhouse gas regulations. American automakers are employing start-stop across their entire lines, although adoption trails that of automakers of European vehicles. Twenty-eight percent *of 2018 models in the US market came equipped with start-stop technology. And the number is expected to grow. Understanding what’s behind start-stop technology has never been so important. * US Environmental Protection Agency, March 2019, Highlights of Automotive Trends Report, analysis of 13 large global auto manufacturers.
Proving Mobil 1™ lubricant technology in the lab
ExxonMobil engineers study the lubricant technology of Mobil 1 oils through specialized start-stop testing – 300,000 start-stop cycles at a time. The engineers aim to create punishing real-world conditions as would occur during the life of the vehicle, which helps them accurately measure the performance and protection of Mobil 1 oils within start-stop systems. After simulating driving 120,000 miles with extended oil drain intervals, which translates to about 80 daily start-stop cycles, ExxonMobil engineers determined that Mobil 1™ 5W-30 demonstrated excellent performance while providing wear protection under extreme start-stop operations.
Every stop saves: Conserving fuel with start-stop systems
Start-stop systems focus on conserving fuel in a relatively straightforward fashion. It’s all in the name: “Start-stop.” For example, when you make a full stop in your car at a red light, your engine shuts down. Then, when the light turns green and you let off the brakes, your engine automatically starts back up in a few milliseconds. So, overall, the fuel economy benefits can be found at every full stop, using less gasoline by limiting the amount of time your engine idles. However, it’s challenging to estimate what impact start-stop technology will have on mpg. For drivers with start-stop systems, there will be varying results toward fuel economy. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy estimates do not factor start-stop into their mpg ratings. Factors like driving conditions and driving style can have a considerable impact on mpg. Many engineers estimate about 3 to 10 percent, which could add a couple mpg (e.g., 20 mpg in city driving improves to 22 mpg).
Meeting the demands of start-stop
Engines with start-stop systems endure more stress than engines without it. While the average driver may only experience about six to eight engine starts a day, the same driver with a start-stop engine could experience dozens. This increase in start-stop cycles affects several engine components – from the starter motor to the battery to the engine crankshaft. Also, many different starters and batteries can support start-stop systems, but the internal combustion engine design remains the same, requiring enhanced protection from the extra loads on the crankshaft and rod bearings created by frequent start-stop cycles. Some automakers have even begun applying protective coatings on these bearings to address the potential for increased wear. Mobil 1™ advanced full synthetic motor oil is specially formulated to help reduce wear on these critical parts.