@MikeInNH Yes, a good synthetic oil dooes not really wear out; it’s the additive depletion and the contaminants that determine when you should dump it. Industrial turbine oils (thousands of quarts) often stay in the machine for many years; this oil is less subject to contamination, and is continuously filtered. and chemically checked.
When you buy recycled oil, you’re buying a cleaned up oil with new additives put in. In most engines this oil is quite acceptable, since it has all the right additives and is of the right viscosity.
Railway companies often buy recycled straight 40 grade oils for their diesel locomotives!
Mike, there is very little contamination in todays engines. I stand by that statement 100%. You are comparing gasoline to LNG pr propane. LNG and propane may have a tenth or less of the contaminants of liquid gasoline, but since LNG and propane are so clean, having 10 times more contaminants does not make my statement wrong.
Man, talk about a deal on oil. I just picked up two 5 quart containers of Mobil 5-30 for $14 each. Then there is a $7 mail in rebate for each so final cost when I get my money back is $7 for 5 quarts or $1.40 a quart. I think the rebate is on till October and can cover syn too I believe.
I can usually get Mobil 1 in 5 quart jugs for $22-25 at Wal-Mart. I understand that the 0W30 and 0W40 products actually use a much better base oil than the 10W30 and 5W30 synthetics in order to maintain proper film strength at such low viscosities. The funny thing is that the oil costs the same to the consumer although it costs more to produce.
There is mineral base oils and synthetic base oils used in motor oil. Anything that uses mineral or non synthetic base oil is not a true synthetic according to manufacturers. Synthetic additives have long been added to mineral based motor oils and some manufacturers call them blends when they achieve certain design goals as far as performance is concerned. But, only oils with a base that is synthetic are synthetic oils at this time and treated as such by allowing increased oil change intervals.
@missileman
As far as ethanol is concerned v synthetic oil, we for now have a choice in oils but little in ethanol use. Ethanol has caused me nothing but headaches and is now one of my biggest concerns with all my “toys” and power tools. In my two stokes, at great expense, I use only Trufuel. Everything else gets Trufuel run through it prior to storage. Anything that needs to be used in the winter or has marine use, gets lubed by synthetic motor oil. Kubota told me that their motor will out live me using mineral oil and using synthetic will out live my children. They are wise guys !
I have also heard that what gets called “synthetic” here has a looser definition than in Europe as well as specifications required for oils used in European cars in this country. I guess highly refined mineral oil can be referred to as synthetic here while it cannot in Europe. While this is better than run of the mill mineral oil, it isn’t true synthetic and doesn’t have all the benefits.
@dagosa Yes, true synthetics are usually Polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and are of a class 4 or better. Mobil1 falls in that category. Some “synthetics” are a partial and they can meet some of the requirements of North American car manufacturers. These oils focus more on low temperature starting rather than good film strength at extreme temperatures as required by turbochargers.
However, high performance European oils used in turbochared vehicles are 100% synthetic and have a substantial additive package to meet the long drain interval, with is 20,000 miles or one year for GM cars in Britain!
@dagosa, can t you find a station that sells ethanol free fuel? we have one here in town, and I believe that the waterfront communities have some for boater s and i think many marinas sell it too.
the price was higher but if I remember correctly it something like 40 cents a gallon more. it s been a year or so since I bought any but I ll try to ride by there and check soon
There is mineral base oils and synthetic base oils used in motor oil. Anything that uses mineral or non synthetic base oil is not a true synthetic according to manufacturers.
Not in the US, @dagosa. Group III is oil out of the ground...and is perfectly legal to be called "synthetic." The real difference between Group II and III is their viscosity index (prior to the use of polymer "improvers")...it can be thought of as especially highly-refined crude-based oil.\
Now, if you said the same thing in Germany…you would be correct.
Hi @wesw.
There is nothing nearby . So far, I have been content using Truefuel in the chain saw and trimmer because of the small amount used but sure would like to find a place reasonably close at hand for everything else. There is nothing on line near my local. But still looking.
Sure but in Minnesota there are pumps for off road equipment such as boats and ATVs. At the station I go to its the premium labeled for old cars and off road.
Not yet. My intent is to use it in tools and toys…not automobiles. Automobiles are not a problem for me. There are several places but will have to burn gas to get gas…need to find a place " on my way " to make it worth while and convenient for me.