How do YOU define synthetic?
- Thread starter NovaMan
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I see different levels of hydrocarbon based lubricants Grp1-4(and some of the 5's) and Esters. Whatever title you care to label a lubricant it should be judged on performance and not some artificial grading system as the title "synthetic" is.
There is no "legal" definition in the USA.
I used to think like my IUPAC Organic Chemistry classes taught me. But even that is a bit blurry when applied to SOME group III basestocks.
Basically if oil molecules are purposely altered by exterior forces to create a designed basestock, this I would call synthetic.
I used to think like my IUPAC Organic Chemistry classes taught me. But even that is a bit blurry when applied to SOME group III basestocks.
Basically if oil molecules are purposely altered by exterior forces to create a designed basestock, this I would call synthetic.
a good example of novamans statement is schaeffers so called full synthetic oil 9000 5w 40...getting rid of my 2 gals..
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BCT22 ..you appear to have issues with the Schaeffers oil there. What's wrong with it
But back on topic ..
I'll go with the Group III as being synthetic. I don't see the reason for the distinction between it and Group lV ..if for no other reason as they (both groups) bridge the same spans in visc (VI)..something other oils cannot do.
But back on topic ..
I'll go with the Group III as being synthetic. I don't see the reason for the distinction between it and Group lV ..if for no other reason as they (both groups) bridge the same spans in visc (VI)..something other oils cannot do.
gary, iam very peticular and in my engines i want the very, very best pure synthetics not something alittle less...i will stick with redline,motul, delvac 1,torco,and,maxima, synergyn..i like schaeffers products but not their idea of a full synthetic oil..
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Synthetic motor oil is to non-synthetic oil what a Twinkie is to any other cream-filled sponge cake.
I think that any "altered" petrochemical (not just refined) could be called a synthetic. While there are different groups, they all perform well, and as a consumer, it makes no difference to most. If your anal about it, you can find out which one performed best and go from there.
Doesn't the molecular structure need to be altered to be "synthetic"?
Synthesized in chemical plants by reacting components to make a product with the desired properties, synthetic fluids can be virtually anything the chemist needs them to be.
I borrowed this from a friendly source
I borrowed this from a friendly source
To me a synthetic oil flows freely at -30F.
Marketing agreements.
Some naturally assume that that the use of the term "synthetic" on the label is regulated by some organization, such as API, or the Federal Trade Commission, similar to what the FDA does with drugs & the USDA with food.
Not so. The 1999 Castrol vs. Mobil synthetic ruling was handed down by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, (who?) and Mobil apparently dropped the issue rather than appealing it before any of several agencies that could also have provided a ruling on the issue.
BTW, just about every dino oil on the market could claim to be a synthetic blend based on the 10-15% content of synthetic VI improvers and pour point depressants.
Not so. The 1999 Castrol vs. Mobil synthetic ruling was handed down by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, (who?) and Mobil apparently dropped the issue rather than appealing it before any of several agencies that could also have provided a ruling on the issue.
BTW, just about every dino oil on the market could claim to be a synthetic blend based on the 10-15% content of synthetic VI improvers and pour point depressants.
Triple_Se7en
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Nothing wrong with having group III oils labeled as synthetics. The only problem is their same pricing with groups IV and V synthetics.
In the $5 non-sale group, I'll grab Platinum, GC and Mobil-1 before any group III.
In the $5 non-sale group, I'll grab Platinum, GC and Mobil-1 before any group III.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
I compare Group III's VS Synthetics, to Chinese Vs. Japanese/American motorcycles. Each one will get you from point 'A' to point 'B', However, the Chinese is a copy, made to look like and is based on the J/A bike, But that Chinese bike will never really look, perfor, and last like that J/A bike will....
Here's the webpage for the Petro-Canada Grp III oil basestock products. Petro-Canada utilizes the Chevron process & produces quality Grp II, II+ and III basestocks.
Petro-Canada VHVI Grp III
Even though Petro-Canada is a big time advocate of including Grp III base stocks in the synthetic category, this statement contains some doublespeak:
Bench engine and field tests have proven that Petro-Canada's advanced VHVI fluids resist engine heat and perform as consistently as synthetics.
Subconsciously, the author of that statement must segregate Grp III from other synthetic fluids, since, logically, a comparison between A & B does not exist if A=B.
Petro-Canada VHVI Grp III
Even though Petro-Canada is a big time advocate of including Grp III base stocks in the synthetic category, this statement contains some doublespeak:
Bench engine and field tests have proven that Petro-Canada's advanced VHVI fluids resist engine heat and perform as consistently as synthetics.
Subconsciously, the author of that statement must segregate Grp III from other synthetic fluids, since, logically, a comparison between A & B does not exist if A=B.
blue99
"Bench engine and field tests have proven that Petro-Canada's advanced VHVI fluids resist engine heat and perform as consistently as synthetics.
Subconsciously, the author of that statement must segregate Grp III from other synthetic fluids, since, logically, a comparison between A & B does not exist if A=B. "
Petro apparently agrees with Castrol. There is a differnce, but that does not necessarily mean that G III should not be considered a syntheitc.
American heritage dictionary definition of synthesis : the combining of seperate elements or subtances to form a cohrent whole.
Petro
"advanced VHVI fluids resist engine heat and perform as consistently as synthetics."
I believe that this is indeed the case and that GIII, pao ,poe, should all be in the same conversation when comparing the pros and cons of said synthetic groups.
"Bench engine and field tests have proven that Petro-Canada's advanced VHVI fluids resist engine heat and perform as consistently as synthetics.
Subconsciously, the author of that statement must segregate Grp III from other synthetic fluids, since, logically, a comparison between A & B does not exist if A=B. "
Petro apparently agrees with Castrol. There is a differnce, but that does not necessarily mean that G III should not be considered a syntheitc.
American heritage dictionary definition of synthesis : the combining of seperate elements or subtances to form a cohrent whole.
Petro
"advanced VHVI fluids resist engine heat and perform as consistently as synthetics."
I believe that this is indeed the case and that GIII, pao ,poe, should all be in the same conversation when comparing the pros and cons of said synthetic groups.
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