Castrol Syntec 10w30, 7775 Mi., '95 Accord EX 2.2l

[gib]

Miles on car: 153,775
Oil filter: Fram orange can
Air filter: Fram orange frame
I drive mostly mellow highway miles (speed limit is 55 on the freeway almost everywhere in Hawaii) and I generally shoot for maximizing gas mileage. I wasn't the one who put in the Syntec, so I don't know for sure how long it was in the car. I'd estimate 10 months to a year. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Turk]

153,xxx miles on a Hawaiian Island? How?

That sure is a LOT of Calcium!

 

[Johnny248]

See, even though I don't use it, and don't have any plans to use it, I know that Syntec is not "junk" because it is not a "true" synthetic.

Thanks!

 

[addyguy]

That ain't standard Syntec 10W-30. Or even Edge 10W-30.

Additive levels and viscosity are too high for it to be those....

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
That ain't standard Syntec 10W-30. Or even Edge 10W-30.

Additive levels and viscosity are too high for it to be those....


Quote:
I wasn't the one who put in the Syntec....


I suspect it was topped up with another oil???

 

[fdcg27]

This does look like a really nice UOA.
Makes you wonder what the mystery oil might be?

 

[JohnBrowning]

Could they be getting Asian products designed for the Asian market place in Hawaii? It would make sense shipping would be less then from main land USA. Keep in mind that formula's differ by market place. In Europe the slop they sell as synthetic on the Walmart shelfs in the USA would be mostly Volle Synthe or partial synthetic etc.....This might be a real 100% synthetic Castrol we are seeing?

 

[gib]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
153,xxx miles on a Hawaiian Island? How?

The trick was doing most of the miles in California before moving to Hawaii. heh

 

[gib]

Regarding a possible mystery oil, I can say with certainty that nothing was put in but the Syntec. I just contacted my father (he did the change) and he confirmed. Furthermore, I took exclusive control of the car shortly after the change and did not add a single drop of oil. There is definitely no mystery oil involved; it was just a 5 quart jug of 10w30 Syntec my dad picked up from Walmart.

The theory that it might be a formulation for the asian market is interesting. I don't know how to determine that, but I'd be happy to help if possible. I still have the jug, so if anyone would like me to look at or take a picture of it I can. Just let me know.

 

[chevrofreak]

I think we need a VOA, and for you to start shipping it to the rest of us.

 

[gib]

Alas, there is nothing but used oil in the jug now, so no virgin sample available.

And I don't know if there is any way to determine if the Syntec currently on walmart's shelves is the same formulation as this stuff which was purchased well over a year ago. *shrug*

 

[ZZman]

Yes that Calcium and zinc is way off for normal Syntec.

But nice Report.

 

[addyguy]

Any chance this is a really, really old jug of Syntec 10W-30?

If it is from the SL/SJ days, this is closer to what it would look like.....

 

[gib]

The jug was purchased about 18 months ago, so it's old but not really, really old.

Indeed, the back label says SM/SL/SJ/CF.

The back label also says "Not to be sold outside the Americas", so presumably it's not an asian market product. Curious. I'm now even more interested in how the current fill of PP will compare.

 

[addyguy]

The CF spec explains it. This oil is designed to be a 'dual use' oil, so has the higher viscosity and additive levels of a diesel-spec oil. 'Regular' syntec 10W-30 (up here, at least) does NOT have the CF spec on it.

 

[gib]

Interesting. Mystery solved, then.

So, in light of the CF spec, would you say this oil is superior to "regular" Syntec? I plan on trying a variety of different oils out of curiosity (currently at 3400 miles on 5w-30 PP), but I'll settle on one some day. Does this oil warrant special consideration? I've lurked on this site long enough to feel a bit like that's a dumb question; I know there are many oils that will perform well for ~7500 miles. But extra additives aren't a bad thing, and if this particular oil offers a little more bang for the buck, that's good to know.

 

[addyguy]

Quote:

"So, in light of the CF spec, would you say this oil is superior to "regular" Syntec?"

Personally, yes. Lots will disagree with me, but I don't think a stouter oil can hurt in a car not burning lots of oil, and may help. JMO.

 

[gib]

Thanks for the advice/help. I'm glad we were able to figure out why this oil was different than "regular" Syntec.

Now it's just wait and see how the PP does in comparison and go from there.

 

[Mamala Bay]

Originally Posted By: gib
Regarding a possible mystery oil, I can say with certainty that nothing was put in but the Syntec. I just contacted my father (he did the change) and he confirmed. Furthermore, I took exclusive control of the car shortly after the change and did not add a single drop of oil. There is definitely no mystery oil involved; it was just a 5 quart jug of 10w30 Syntec my dad picked up from Walmart.

The theory that it might be a formulation for the asian market is interesting. I don't know how to determine that, but I'd be happy to help if possible. I still have the jug, so if anyone would like me to look at or take a picture of it I can. Just let me know.


I don't believe special oil or 'different' oil could be bought from Walmart just for "HAWAII" application. Walmart ships there goods by Matson containers from California. That's absurd for Castrol products being shipped to Hawaii is different from NA products.

The only way a special order of Castrol products are from the Castrol dealer and more probable small orders for BWM, Mercedes and Audi from auto shops that does oil changes for high end vehicle owners. This is more of a favor for them and not something being sold to the general public.