The Truth about Synthetic Motor Oil

The Truth about Synthetic Motor Oil

With people all over the world turning towards synthetic and hybrid synthetic oils, it’s important to recognize the facts about synthetic oil and how it differs from mineral oil. There’s a lot of confusion about synthetic oil as most people are not well versed on its benefits and drawbacks. The first synthetic oils received a bad reputation for leaking because the engine seals shrank due to a different seal-swell rate. Motor oil would leak from the crankshaft and rocker cover seals. Then, when the owners would switch back to the mineral oil, the seals where compressed when swelled and the entire engine started to leak. This situation plagued pioneers of synthetic motor oil, but the situation has much improved since that time. However, it’s still a good idea to stick with either synthetic or conventional mineral oil and not switch back between the two.

There are numerous hybrid synthetic oils that contain conventional mineral oil, and these can serve as a happy medium between conventional and synthetic oil. With hybrid synthetic oils like Evinrude XD50 oil, it’s okay to put in a quart of conventional mineral oil with the hybrid synthetic when the supply starts to run low.

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Why Use Hybrid Synthetic Outboard Oil?

Why Use Hybrid Synthetic Outboard Oil?

When it comes to outboard oil, there are three major categories: mineral oil, synthetic oil, and hybrid synthetic oil (a combination of mineral oil and synthetic oil). Mineral oil is the traditional motor oil that has been used for centuries in all kinds of engines as a lubricant. Synthetic oil became available in the late 20th century, and is overall superior to mineral oil, except in cost. Synthetic motor can cost double or even triple what the standard mineral oil costs. Hybrid synthetic oil is a happy medium between mineral oil and synthetic oil. Hybrid synthetic oil, like Evinrude XD50 oil, takes the benefits from synthetic oil (cleaner burning, increased lubricity, longer lasting), and also has the added benefit of costing much less than the standard synthetic oil.

While hybrid synthetic oil doesn’t have the same benefits as a full synthetic, it is still much better for the environment than mineral oil, and won’t break the bank either. Until synthetic oil is perfected, hybrid synthetic oil is the best option.

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Evinrude E-TEC Advantages

Evinrude E-TEC Advantages

While a lot of boaters use outboard motors from Mercury, Yamaha, and Honda, some make the mistake of overlooking the Evinrude E-TEC series of outboards. The Evinrude E-TEC outboard motor provides several advantages over its competitors. Anglers prefer the punch that the two stroke outboard motor packs, and the Evinrude E-TEC series is the ideal outboard for angling, boating, and recreational activities. In addition, the E-TEC exceeds many clean air standards that other outboard motors fail to meet. Here are some key advantages of an Evinrude E-TEC outboard:

~No scheduled maintenance for three years
~Less costly oil changes
~Exclusive low friction design increases reliability

The E-TEC engine uses up to 75% less oil than the standard outboard motor from a competitor. In addition, using Evinrude outboard oil ensures maximum efficiency, better power, and even a cleaner environment.

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Evinrude’s Environmental Awareness

Evinrude's Environmental Awareness

Since 1976, Lake Constance, which sits on the boarder between Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, did not allow two-stroke engines on the lake. Then in 2006, lake officials cleared the Evinrude E-Tec engine for use on Lake Constance. The Evinrude E-Tec is the first and only two-stroke engine to pass the multitude of standards for environmental safety on the lake. Evinrude’s Vice President of public affairs said the recognition of the Evinrude E-Tec was an outstanding achievement.

Evinrude has dedicated itself to creating the latest in two-stroke outboard technology with their high quality E-Tec engines and Evinrude outboard oil. The Evinrude E-Tec engine was also recognized in 2005 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its design. The E-Tec was presented with the Clean Air Technology Excellence award, and was the first ever outboard engine to receive the award.

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NASA Develops Alloy for Outboard Motors

NASA Develops Alloy for Outboard Motors

A new aluminum alloy called MSFC-398 was recently developed by a team of engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Partnering with Evinrude, a leading manufacturer of outboard motors, NASA and Evinrude created the E-TEC outboard motor. The E-TEC has a simple design, but is quite effective. It’s the first outboard motor that does not require regular outboard oil changes, winterization, spring tune-ups, or scheduled maintenance.

The E-TEC two stroke outboard motor represents the latest in outboard motor technology. Because of the new NASA designed alloy, the E-TEC outboard motor is much more durable than its other two stroke counterparts. While four stroke engines have replaced two strokes in several capacities, because of the simple design of the two stroke engine, they’re still great for outboard motors and smaller engines.

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Two Benefits of Synthetic Oil

Two Benefits of Synthetic Oil

When comparing synthetic oil to regular mineral oil, there is no doubt that synthetic oil is superior. But when synthetic oil can cost double the price of regular mineral oil, it’s important to consider whether the benefits of using synthetic oil apply to you. There are two main benefits that synthetic oil holds over mineral oil: ability to withstand heat, and flow better at cold temperatures. Heat is what breaks down oil, and at some point, forces the oil to lose its lubricating properties which necessitates an oil change. The first few seconds following ignition are some of the most important for engines. If the oil in your engine freezes, it can cause serious damage to the engine. Synthetic oil, unlike mineral oil, will not freeze.

The best reasons to use synthetic oil are during extreme conditions of heat and cold. For outboard motors, which run at high heat most of the time, synthetic oil like Evinrude XD100 or Evinrude XD50 oil will increase the performance and longevity of your engine.

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Two Stroke Engine Exhaust

Two Stroke Engine Exhaust

The earliest two stroke engines were renowned for their raw power but also for their high exhaust emissions. Evinrude/Johnson, one of the leading manufacturers of outboard motors, replaced their inefficient fuel injection technology with the new E-TEC direct fuel injection technology in the late 1990s. This new technology was the first outboard motor technology to win a Clean Air Excellence Award from the American EPA. Now Evinrude/Johnson’s two stroke engines all utilize direct fuel injection technology for cleaner emissions.

In addition, using evinrude XD50 oil or Evinrude XD100 oil in your two stroke engine will decrease its exhaust emissions. Hybrid-synthetic and synthetic oil provides several advantages over conventional mineral oil, thus using either of the oils in the Evinrude XD synthetic series will help you do your part for the environment!

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Switching from Conventional to Synthetic

synthetic oil vs conventional oil

When switching from conventional oil to synthetic oil in your outboard motor, there is one central precaution of which to be aware: you can’t switch back. Synthetic oils, like the Evinrude XD100 oil, offer increased performance and are friendlier to the environment. However, synthetic oils also cost more than conventional mineral oil, and it’s important to note that the switch, if made, is permanent. The additives in synthetic oil replace all of those in conventional motor oil, but synthetic oil also contains different molecules. These molecules work to preserve the condition of your engine while synthetic oil is being used, but if mineral oil which doesn’t have these molecules is used after the engine has adapted to synthetic, the absence of the molecules can cause engine damage.

It’s important to make sure you can consistently use synthetic oil if you switch to it, otherwise, you risk permanent engine damage and ultimately, buying a new outboard motor.

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Outboard Motors for your Dinghy

Outboard Motors for your Dinghy

For times when there isn’t a dock present, it’s nice to have a dinghy to avoid swimming or wading to shore. Rowing out to your boat in your dinghy can be exhausting, and there’s nothing worse than having to row to shore after day of boating. Whether for leaving shore or heading into shore, it’s great to have an outboard motor for your dinghy. Though you will want an outboard motor sized to fit an inflatable craft, maintenance for smaller outboard motors doesn’t differ from your standard boat model. Evinrude outboard motors are great for smaller craft as they’re easy to maintain; you just need to check the Evinrude outboard oil levels every so often, and change the oil filter and spark plugs.

When using your dinghy, ensure your outboard motor is secured to the craft, and that it is submerged correctly in the water. If your dinghy happens to deflate a little, the outboard motor can change levels in the water.

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Simple Marine Engine Oil Changes

Simple Marine Engine Oil Changes

One of the simplest methods to change the oil in a marine engine is through use of a marine oil pump. Marine oil pumps are made by several different manufacturers, though often the most used are Evinrude oil pumps. Changing the oil on your marine engine or outboard motor is necessary task, but with a marine oil pump it can be accomplished in about 15 minutes. When using an oil pump, the pump attaches to the drain hose of your boat via a small connecter. The oil will drain for about 10 minutes or sometimes longer, and turning on your engine while the oil is draining can speed up the process. If you do turn on your engine, make sure to have a water supply feeding the impeller, and disconnect the propeller before turning on the boat.

Once the oil is drained, simple refill the engine with your choice of motor oil, check to ensure the proper amount of oil is inside, and you’ll be ready to go the next time you take your boat out on the open water.

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Synthetic and Hybrid Synthetic Oils

Synthetic and Hybrid Synthetic Oils

Oil became an ever more precious commodity with the advent of the Industrial Age, and since the early 1900s, with the mainstream production of the combustion engine, mineral oil has been necessary for all kinds of day to day errands, travel, and jobs. Because engine manufacturers realized long ago that the world’s oil supply would not last forever, they began research on synthetic oil. Though most owners of cars, boats, or machinery still use mineral oil today, synthetic oil and hybrid synthetic oil have become available to the general public. Synthetic oil is oil that is created with no mineral oil, and despite popular belief, it works just as well as mineral oil in most machinery (though you shouldn’t switch between mineral and synthetic). Hybrid synthetic oil contains both synthetic and mineral oil, an example of this would be Evinrude XD50 oil used for outboard motors.

The main difference between synthetic, hybrid synthetic, and mineral oil is cost; in general synthetic oil is the most expensive followed by hybrid synthetic and then mineral oil.

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Two Stroke Versus Four Stroke Engines

Two Stroke Versus Four Stroke Engines

When it comes to outboard motors, there are two essential categories: two stroke and four stroke. Both of these engine types have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on how you intend to use your outboard motor. For example, two stroke engines accelerate more quickly, and are faster. Two stroke engines are also often cheaper and tend to withhold their value during resale. Four stroke engines provide a smoother ride and are more economical. Because they move slower, four stroke engines are quieter and also cause less harm to the marine environment.

Four stroke engines are a bit newer in the market, and thus improvements are still being made frequently. Also remember with both kinds of outboard engines, you will need to special Evinrude oil, which is formulated for both two stroke and four stroke outboard motors.

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