I thought I would find this in the search function but had no luck. Is there a minimum requirement for the amount of synthetic in a oil labeled "synthetic blend"? Can they put a teaspoon and call it a blend? Are the percentages listed anywhere for comparison?
Synthetic oil percent in semisynthetics?
- Thread starter JackB1
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Roll some dice, call psychic friends network or ask a magic 8 ball. You'll get about the same informed guess. The oil companies will never tell. Why? Anything important is hidden under the "proprietary" clause.
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Labels are marketing hype. Go by the specs. For the most part the labels mean nothing.
You want semi synthetic, but 2 quarts of full synthetic and add it to some dino, you will get a better mix.
From the Pennzoil Synthetic Blend thread:
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Dont have anything rock solid on it, but I ran it two oil changes ago in the Uplander and it was smooth and quiet. Also is is at least 50% syn. Its a great oil (and Dexos1 approved) but for a couple $$ more I would go with QSUD (as it is full syn), thats the oil on deck for the Uplander.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Dont have anything rock solid on it, but I ran it two oil changes ago in the Uplander and it was smooth and quiet. Also is is at least 50% syn. Its a great oil (and Dexos1 approved) but for a couple $$ more I would go with QSUD (as it is full syn), thats the oil on deck for the Uplander.
Buying those bottles separate costs more than buying the blend in the 5 quart bottle.
Not the way we BITOG-ers do it!
I think I read from an Pennzoil site that their blend was 50/50
Originally Posted By: The_Captain
Roll some dice, call psychic friends network or ask a magic 8 ball. You'll get about the same informed guess. The oil companies will never tell. Why? Anything important is hidden under the "proprietary" clause.
I agree, unless we see it on their spec sheets no one will every know for sure. I'm sure its a good oil, but if you want a 50/50 blend use PYB and PP and have at it. Or for the price of synthetic oil when it's on sale or part of an oil change special I'd just use a synthetic oil. JMO
Roll some dice, call psychic friends network or ask a magic 8 ball. You'll get about the same informed guess. The oil companies will never tell. Why? Anything important is hidden under the "proprietary" clause.
I agree, unless we see it on their spec sheets no one will every know for sure. I'm sure its a good oil, but if you want a 50/50 blend use PYB and PP and have at it. Or for the price of synthetic oil when it's on sale or part of an oil change special I'd just use a synthetic oil. JMO
What the heck is synthetic vs conventional these days anyways? This is an era where even the basic motor oils need some group II base oil just to meet API SN specs, and I'm guessing some might even toss in some group III. They're vaguely using these terms these days to try and describe a level of protection, but what does it really tell you other than describe a buzzword that people associate with better performance.
Is there any way to just ban the term? It's antiquated and says little about actual performance. It gets so out of hand that "synthetic" is used as a label on brake fluid.
Is there any way to just ban the term? It's antiquated and says little about actual performance. It gets so out of hand that "synthetic" is used as a label on brake fluid.
I recall in another thread that the Motorcraft blends were ~60% synthetic to meet the 945 and 946 specs.
Thanks for the replies. Did not realize the confusion that exists in the market place. For example, it was mentioned above that someone had seen info on the Pennzoil site that indicated it was a 50% blend so I checked it out and found out why confusion exists. Pennzoil's Gold is their synthetic blend and under the "benefits" tab lists no % amount. HOWEVER on the Gold Page it has a link "own a GM vehicle then try our specially formulated Dexos1 blend". If you click on the "benefits" tab for that blend it indicates it is 50% synthetic. One might draw an inference from that statement that the non Dexos1 synthetic blend may contain less than 50% synthetic simce a percentage is not stated under "benefits".
The reason I originally asked is that at times I will see a synthetic blend on sale for a really good price, usually in 5 qt. jugs. I doubt if major oil companies would be as brazen as to only add a qt to a 5 qt jug but it does seem they left themselves some wiggle room that may be profit oriented.
The reason I originally asked is that at times I will see a synthetic blend on sale for a really good price, usually in 5 qt. jugs. I doubt if major oil companies would be as brazen as to only add a qt to a 5 qt jug but it does seem they left themselves some wiggle room that may be profit oriented.
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MolaKule
Staff member
Quote:
Is there a minimum requirement for the amount of synthetic in a oil labeled "synthetic blend"?
There is no minimum requirement of how much synthetic base oil is added and it is up to the manf. to specify.
When I formulate blends or "semi-synthetics" I specify about 10-20% PAO added to GroupII to improve friction characteristics, lower PP, and to increase VI.
But each manf. has its own formulation philosophy and marketing hype.
Is there a minimum requirement for the amount of synthetic in a oil labeled "synthetic blend"?
There is no minimum requirement of how much synthetic base oil is added and it is up to the manf. to specify.
When I formulate blends or "semi-synthetics" I specify about 10-20% PAO added to GroupII to improve friction characteristics, lower PP, and to increase VI.
But each manf. has its own formulation philosophy and marketing hype.
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Quote:
Is there a minimum requirement for the amount of synthetic in a oil labeled "synthetic blend"?
There is no minimum requirement of how much synthetic base oil is added and it is up to the manf. to specify.
When I formulate blends or "semi-synthetics" I specify about 10-20% PAO added to GroupII to improve friction characteristics, lower PP, and to increase VI.
But each manf. has its own formulation philosophy and marketing hype.
I've even heard that there are manufacturers which use synthetic components in the add pack with a Group II+ and call that semi-synthetic (ie a heavy PAO instead of bright stock, or some other synthetic polymers)... That probably means even less than 10% like you have recommended. Have you heard of anything similar?
Quote:
Is there a minimum requirement for the amount of synthetic in a oil labeled "synthetic blend"?
There is no minimum requirement of how much synthetic base oil is added and it is up to the manf. to specify.
When I formulate blends or "semi-synthetics" I specify about 10-20% PAO added to GroupII to improve friction characteristics, lower PP, and to increase VI.
But each manf. has its own formulation philosophy and marketing hype.
I've even heard that there are manufacturers which use synthetic components in the add pack with a Group II+ and call that semi-synthetic (ie a heavy PAO instead of bright stock, or some other synthetic polymers)... That probably means even less than 10% like you have recommended. Have you heard of anything similar?
MolaKule
Staff member
Quote:
I've even heard that there are manufacturers which use synthetic components in the add pack with a Group II+ and call that semi-synthetic (ie a heavy PAO instead of bright stock, or some other synthetic polymers)... That probably means even less than 10% like you have recommended. Have you heard of anything similar?
I have heard that as well but was never able to confirm it, not that is could not happen.
However, it would be highly deceitful and unethical in my view to include any additive component and then declare the total formulation as a blend or "semi-synthetic," because most additive components are synthesized compounds anyway.
My opinion is that the base oil description should only declare those base oil components totally "exclusive" of any additive components.
I've even heard that there are manufacturers which use synthetic components in the add pack with a Group II+ and call that semi-synthetic (ie a heavy PAO instead of bright stock, or some other synthetic polymers)... That probably means even less than 10% like you have recommended. Have you heard of anything similar?
I have heard that as well but was never able to confirm it, not that is could not happen.
However, it would be highly deceitful and unethical in my view to include any additive component and then declare the total formulation as a blend or "semi-synthetic," because most additive components are synthesized compounds anyway.
My opinion is that the base oil description should only declare those base oil components totally "exclusive" of any additive components.
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Originally Posted By: MolaKule
However, it would be highly deceitful and unethical in my view to include any additive component and then declare the total formulation as a blend or "semi-synthetic," because most additive components are synthesized compounds anyway.
Deceit and big oil...say it ain't so
Mola, I can only hope that most companies(not just oil) would take this view but I know for sure not all. Oh and can you PM me what company you work for, this post alone makes me wish I could get your lubes.
However, it would be highly deceitful and unethical in my view to include any additive component and then declare the total formulation as a blend or "semi-synthetic," because most additive components are synthesized compounds anyway.
Deceit and big oil...say it ain't so
Mola, I can only hope that most companies(not just oil) would take this view but I know for sure not all. Oh and can you PM me what company you work for, this post alone makes me wish I could get your lubes.
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