Originally Posted By: oil_film_movies
In the video, they failed to make the distinction between GroupIII synthetic base oils and the PAO ones. GroupIII is refined from crude (or natural gas derived). PAO is more like the "built" molecules they described, but Amsoil isn't all PAO.
Wondering if Amsoil's market share is falling. A lot of competition, many synth oils out there at bargain prices compared to Amsoil.
I accept Molakule's argument that group III (non-GTL, which we usually called III+) is not truly synthetic as it is not synthesized from simpler chemical components, but it is sure heck isn't just refined (meaning separated out) from crude, either. Hydrocracking is a process of chemical modification, but basically a reduction of heavier components into lighter instead of a synthesis as I understand. I believe the only group that is strictly just refined is I, while II and III reflect different degrees of hydrocracking. GTL III+ is made through truly synthesizing natural gas into oil, but it's arguable whether the final product is distinguishable from group III in performance.
As we have discussed many times even in my few years poking around on BITOG, "synthetic" is really a marketing term in the US and I know a stricter definition is enforced by law in Germany (not sure about other parts of Europe). But saying that oil marketed as synthetic in the US can just be elements of crude that are refined out is just plain wrong.