# Synthetic motor oil "group" categories **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-motor-oil-group-categories/81031 "2013-08-24T00:19:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-motor-oil-group-categories/81031/1 "2013-08-24T00:19:18Z")
I see reference to various groups of 1-5 in regards to synthetic motor oils. It looks like most of them being sold today are Group 3 (cheaper ones), 4, or 5. I always see people saying that the Group 4 is better than 3 but what about 5? Is this a situation where 5 is better than 4 or would 4 be considered the best overall synthetic oil? I am not sure if this is a situation where a higher number is better or if the higher number is just a different category. I know that some of these synthetics are created from animal/vegetable oils while others are refined petroleum oil. The reason I ask is because I understand many of the Group 3 synthetic oils would not meet the definition of a synthetic oil in Europe and that oils sold for European vehicles tend to have a higher concentration of Group 4 oils. I have been told the cheapest Group 4 oil is the Mobil 1 0W40 synthetic which is commonly found for very low prices at Wal-Mart and parts stores when it is usually on sale with a filter included. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-motor-oil-group-categories/81031/2 "2013-08-24T01:15:11Z")
Time for a visit to [bobistheoilguy.com](http://bobistheoilguy.com). But unless you have one of the cars with non-standard synthetic oil grade specs (VW, BMW, and some GM, for example), it’s not something I’d spend much time worrying about… ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-motor-oil-group-categories/81031/3 "2013-08-24T17:06:56Z")
Shelf Space…It’s getting to where you need an airplane hanger to store and display all the products called “Motor Oil”… ---
**Author:** ![WheresRick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wheresrick/32/2717_2.png) [@WheresRick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WheresRick)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-motor-oil-group-categories/81031/4 "2013-08-24T18:45:35Z")
I remember using the old cardboard oil cans, I recall using Sears brand oil and Co-op dual season motor oil. This was in the 80’s. There wasn’t even a weight listed on the coop brand.v ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/synthetic-motor-oil-group-categories/81031/5 "2013-08-25T21:43:15Z")
Here is another question. If you want the best oil money can buy, do you want a group 4 or a group 5 oil? I am not sure which is better. I understand that group 4 oils are specified for some of the most expensive cars on the road but am curious about if group 5 is even better or the higher number just represents a different category of oil.