To keep it simple regarding the Castrol-Mobil lawsuit, this is what I tell myself:
The word "synthetic" changed from a content-based descriptor to a performance-based descriptor. Strangely, content is not the only predictor of performance. In other words, 1+1 does not always equal 2. Blended properly, 1+1 can equal 3. Because, lubricant engineers have developed synthetic blend-based (Gp III/conventional blend) oils that perform nearly as well as true synthetic-based (PAO/ester) oils, at a much lower price point. And as we all know, the general public is very much concerned with product prices.
So now, marketing specialists can say their oil is "full synthetic" because the oil is significantly different (chemically) from conventional oil, and it performs very similar to a true synthetic.
I don't know if that is simple, but it's how I managed to wrap my head around this giant cr@p storm.
The word "synthetic" changed from a content-based descriptor to a performance-based descriptor. Strangely, content is not the only predictor of performance. In other words, 1+1 does not always equal 2. Blended properly, 1+1 can equal 3. Because, lubricant engineers have developed synthetic blend-based (Gp III/conventional blend) oils that perform nearly as well as true synthetic-based (PAO/ester) oils, at a much lower price point. And as we all know, the general public is very much concerned with product prices.
So now, marketing specialists can say their oil is "full synthetic" because the oil is significantly different (chemically) from conventional oil, and it performs very similar to a true synthetic.
I don't know if that is simple, but it's how I managed to wrap my head around this giant cr@p storm.
