HC synthetic oil primarily refers to the base oils of the lubricant refined using the hydrocracking process. HC, or hydrocracking, is one of the most refined mineral oils for car motors. It has a high level of purity. As classified by the API, the HC synthetic oil belongs to groups two and three base oils.
Less than 0.03% sulphur and 90% saturated hydrocarbon compounds define the synthetic oil’s purity. Therefore, these engine oils for cars are comparatively more stable and efficient than the group one lubricant. Moreover, the group II oils form through a mild hydrocracking process. It is less effective than the group three base oils as they form through strong hydrocracking.
How Many Kinds of Motor Oils Are There?
There are two different types of car motor oil, namely, synthetic oils and mineral oils. Mineral oils do not offer a high performance; thus, they aren’t much essential for cars. The engines of the latest car model demand more motor oils compared to the older cars. Therefore, synthetic oils can meet their requirements better. You can even purchase the motor oils from the best car accessories online store.
What Do You Mean by Synthetic Motor Oil?
Synthetic motor oils offer uniform properties compared to the conventional mineral oils. The mineral oils belong to the group I and group II base oils blended with certain additives. It contains the hydrocarbon molecules in varying lengths. It makes some oils lighter and other oils heavier in weight.
This causes the mineral oils to harden during winter and evaporate faster during summer. It has residual molecule compounds that lessen its lubricating properties. Thus, it reduces the performance of the engines. However, it contains additives that improve overall properties but tend to depreciate over time. This is one reason why you must replace traditional mineral oils so often.
On the contrary, the synthetic oils belong to group III and group IV base oils. They contain uniform-sized hydrocarbon molecules and no contaminants. This uniformity enables the engines to perform better in both low and high temperatures.
Types of Synthetic Oil
The synthetic motor oils belong to two groups of base oil stock: Group III and Group IV.
- The group III base oils are of high quality and undergo a severe hydrocracking process. It takes place at 1000 psi and 650 °F. It causes the various hydrocarbon molecules to break down into smaller and uniform-sized molecules. It also removes contaminants like nitrogen and sulphur. Moreover, the wax hydroisomerisation and catalytic dewaxing help to remove the wax compounds from the oil. The end product oil comes out as group III mineral base oil.
- The group IV base oil are mainly the chemically synthesised products known as polyalphaolefins (PAO). They come from ethylene. The lubricant oils generated from group III and IV base oils have the same properties. Additionally, it also performs better than the traditional mineral motor oils.
- Another group of base oils- group V includes special synthetic oils. It mainly functions as an oil additive or for other special applications.
The oil from the chemically upgraded group III base oil is the HC synthetic oil. Fully synthetic oil comes from the group IV base oil. The semi-synthetic oils are a blend between 30% mineral oil and synthetic oil. It is superior to the conventional mineral oils but not the fully synthetic oil.
Are Synthetic Motor Oils Better?
The short answer is yes. Synthetic motor oils are comparatively superior and ensure better performance of the vehicle. You can even mix the synthetic oil with a mineral oil. Nevertheless, the semi-synthetic oil is comparatively inferior and is not popular in the automobile market. They hinder the performance of the vehicle as it contains minerals.
Difference Between Fully Synthetic Oil and HC Synthetic Oil
The HC synthetic oil is a type of the mineral oil upgraded and cleaned by hydrocracking. However, crude oil determines the HC synthetic oil’s quality. You can go past the product’s physical limits. It is possible to achieve a viscosity index of 120 to 140 through strong hydrocracking.
Fully synthetic oil contains approximately 80% of the base oils belonging to groups 4 or 5. They are usually synthesised lubricants composed of short-chain hydrocarbon compounds. Moreover, it comes with enhanced technical properties. The fully synthetised oils have a viscosity index of about 135 to 190. So, it is more temperature stable and efficient than the HC synthetic oil.
Choose the Right Engine Oil
Given the variety of engine oils available in the market, choosing the right engine oils can be daunting. The right engine oil helps to enhance the performance of the vehicle and also protects its components. Superior quality oils work best in both hot and cold temperatures. Therefore, choosing the wrong oil can affect the car’s performance.
Fully synthetic oils offer better performance and protect the engine’s components from wear and tear. This oil is preferable when driving in high-traffic areas as it produces less sludge. It is also suitable for performance-focused vehicles and helps to achieve higher mileage. So, choosing HC synthetic oil for your vehicle is a wise decision. You can purchase the best engine oil for your vehicle from Carorbis’s online store. They offer quality and budget-friendly products from the leading brands in the market.
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