Synthetic Oil?

[C & A s Dad]

This was in Valvoline's monthly newsletter and I thought it would answer some people's questions concerning dino and synthetic.Valvoine's take on Synthetic vs Dino

[dlstewart01]

They don't quite tell the whole story. When NAD made the ruling on what could be called synthetic they ruled that group 111 made from crude oil could be called synthetic. This all started when Castrol started hydrocracking crude and called it synthetic. Moble1 cries foul but lost.

 

Now most synthetic is made from crude with the hydrocracking process to acheive group 111 oil.

 

So--- it will not do you any good to look at the label for they can legally say fully synthetic. Except outside the USA where they have to disclose group 111 or PAO group 1V.

 

Don

[anonemouse]

They don't quite tell the whole story. When NAD made the ruling on what could be called synthetic they ruled that group 111 made from crude oil could be called synthetic. This all started when Castrol started hydrocracking crude and called it synthetic. Moble1 cries foul but lost.

 

Now most synthetic is made from crude with the hydrocracking process to acheive group 111 oil.

 

So--- it will not do you any good to look at the label for they can legally say fully synthetic. Except outside the USA where they have to disclose group 111 or PAO group 1V.

 

Don

 

Okay, so how does one choose an oil? From what I hear they've changed things so much that it's difficult to tell what's good and what isn't. I plan on having my rig for quite some time, and these things matter to me over the long-haul.

[dlstewart01]

Todays oils are all good. They are SM, API tested and approved. The key is using 5W30 or in warmer climates 10W30 and chaning it regularly.

 

The synthetics are also good, weather group 111 or group 1V. Mobil 1, Penzoil Platnum, castrol syntec especially the European formular 0W30. Its a true pao. Can only be purchased at Auto Zone/

 

Its really what you thinks works best for your application.

 

Look up the GM approved oil list. Most major brands are on it.

 

Have a good one,

 

Don

[Schmids5.3l]

If you want real full synthetic, this is it. No I don't use it, I use Mobil 1 syn. Change whatever you use every 3k miles, syn or dino and you'll be alright. Sludge isn't caused by a certain brand of oil, it's caused from dirt, contamination, fuel, and not changing your oil. So I wouldn't follow that oil life monitor too closely. It's not like it monitors the oil itself, if it did you wouldn't have to reset the d**n thing.

 

[dlstewart01]

If you want real full synthetic, this is it. No I don't use it, I use Mobil 1 syn. Change whatever you use every 3k miles, syn or dino and you'll be alright. Sludge isn't caused by a certain brand of oil, it's caused from dirt, contamination, fuel, and not changing your oil. So I wouldn't follow that oil life monitor too closely. It's not like it monitors the oil itself, if it did you wouldn't have to reset the d**n thing.

 

 

It is what I use. Have been for a couple of years. I have a years supply on hand now. I plan to change the oil tomorrow,

 

It works great for me.

 

Don

[Schmids5.3l]

It is what I use. Have been for a couple of years. I have a years supply on hand now. I plan to change the oil tomorrow,

 

It works great for me.

 

Don

 

We posted at the same time! It is really good stuff from what I've heard and read. As long as he uses a good name brand oil, not ''Speedway recycled special,", and changes it every 3k he'll be ok. I was going to look into this Castrol or some Shaeffers but I already had a gallon and a few quarts of Mobil 1 and a filter so I went ahead with it.

[Bostonsfavson]

If you want real full synthetic, this is it. No I don't use it, I use Mobil 1 syn. Change whatever you use every 3k miles, syn or dino and you'll be alright. Sludge isn't caused by a certain brand of oil, it's caused from dirt, contamination, fuel, and not changing your oil. So I wouldn't follow that oil life monitor too closely. It's not like it monitors the oil itself, if it did you wouldn't have to reset the d**n thing.

 

 

 

I don't want this thread to turn in to an argument, but with modern engines running modern oil, 3K mile change intervals are absolutely unnecessary - especially if you're using synthetic. Of course if you do it this way, that's fine - you're certainly not hurting anything. The fact of the matter though is that it's an unnecessary use of time and money. If you're changing your oil at 3K miles, you may as well change it at 1K miles. It's hard for us to recondition ourselves because many of our fathers (including mine) brought us up this way. But that was with old engines and old oil. Things are different now.

[Schmids5.3l]

I'm not worried if the oil is broken down or not in 3,000 miles, I'm worried if it's still clean. I like the idea of taking my motor apart and it looking new I probably change mine every 4k. I don't want to change my oil and get some murky brown/black/crap looking oil. Half the 10w-30 oils these days aren't 30 weight after their life cycle anyways, more like 20 weight.

[the hammer]

One of hte things you have to watch out for in regard to Mobil 1 is its initial 30 weight rating. It is a thinner 30 weight compared to the 0W-30 German Castrol which is closer to a 40 weight oil. The mobil 1 actually ends up being closer to the 20 weight after a while, but the German Castrol gets closer to a 30 weight during use. Thus, this is one of the reasons I use the German Castrol. I change my oil from 7500 to 12k miles, depending on how I feel. And also, European oils are manufactured to extreme requirements and regulations. The German Castrol is absolutely awesome oil.

[svensk]

Or just use Amsoil 0w30

I'm going to fleet and farm today to get a couple cases. In my truck I've been pretty happy with valvoline max life full synthetic 5w30. It has a ton of conditioners and additives to keep the engine clean, and valves sealed up. Worked great for the last 35K.

[Schmids5.3l]

Another oil which really performs is Pennzoil Platinum. There's some kind of preferred customer deal you can join and get it for cheap.

[Norseman]

Another oil which really performs is Pennzoil Platinum. There's some kind of preferred customer deal you can join and get it for cheap.

 

I use Pennzoil Platinum (used Mobil1 before) and really like it. How can I get in on this preferred customer deal you are talking about?

[Norseman]

This was in Valvoline's monthly newsletter and I thought it would answer some people's questions concerning dino and synthetic.Valvoine's take on Synthetic vs Dino

 

So does Valvoline use PAO as the base stock for its synthetic?

[dlstewart01]

This was in Valvoline's monthly newsletter and I thought it would answer some people's questions concerning dino and synthetic.Valvoine's take on Synthetic vs Dino

 

So does Valvoline use PAO as the base stock for its synthetic?

 

 

 

I believe that would be no. It could have a small amount.

 

Don