View Poll Results: What Synthetic oil is the best overall for all S2000's? (Please specify weight)
Voters: 161. You may not vote on this poll
ULTIMATE SYN OIL SHOWDOWN
10-08-2009, 07:16 AM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Motor oils regardless of synthtic or dino are made up of "base stock" that API groups as Group I through Group V.
When "synthetics" first appeared, they were made up of polyalphaolefin (PAOs) that would fall in the API base stock "Group IV's".
Dino oils were made using petroleum derived Group I and Group II base stocks. A further refinement by "hydrocracking" of Group II base stocks, created Group III base stocks that allowed higher viscosity indexes.
Group III base stocks are cheaper than Group IV. API then classified Group III base stocks as a synthetic and shortly afterwards, Mobil 1 started to use Group III base stocks.
Many "purist" decried that Mobil 1 is no longer a "true" synthetic because they use a base stock that was derived from a former petroleum base stock. IIRC, even Castrol tried suing Mobil 1 to have them remove the "Synthetic" label and eventually lost with final irony of Castrol moving to Group III base stock for their synthetic offering.
Arguing about Group III vs. Group IV is like talking about politics, abortion and gun control. You will never get a consensus as both do the job admirably well.
To the purist, what sets apart what I called "boutique" brands like Amsoil, Royal Purple and Readline, is that they for the most part stick to the more expensive Group IV base stocks.
What separates petroleum base and synthetic oils is very little at the engineering level. Both use many of the same additive packs to their base stocks and what separates the base stocks is just different processing and hydrocracking.
At the marketing level, oil companies like people who buy synthetics as the profit margins are higher for very little more that is expended to make the same petroleum oil. Group IV and V base stocks are synthesized in a lab and are about as pure as a man-made compound can be. Group III base stocks are highly refined and pretty damn close.
In all other countries outside the USA, lubricants using group III base stocks have to be labeled "synthetic blend" or "partially synthetic". They only get away with "Fully Synthetic" here in the US because the oil companies have deep pockets for Senators that pass marketing legislation.
When "synthetics" first appeared, they were made up of polyalphaolefin (PAOs) that would fall in the API base stock "Group IV's".
Dino oils were made using petroleum derived Group I and Group II base stocks. A further refinement by "hydrocracking" of Group II base stocks, created Group III base stocks that allowed higher viscosity indexes.
Group III base stocks are cheaper than Group IV. API then classified Group III base stocks as a synthetic and shortly afterwards, Mobil 1 started to use Group III base stocks.
Many "purist" decried that Mobil 1 is no longer a "true" synthetic because they use a base stock that was derived from a former petroleum base stock. IIRC, even Castrol tried suing Mobil 1 to have them remove the "Synthetic" label and eventually lost with final irony of Castrol moving to Group III base stock for their synthetic offering.
Arguing about Group III vs. Group IV is like talking about politics, abortion and gun control. You will never get a consensus as both do the job admirably well.
To the purist, what sets apart what I called "boutique" brands like Amsoil, Royal Purple and Readline, is that they for the most part stick to the more expensive Group IV base stocks.
What separates petroleum base and synthetic oils is very little at the engineering level. Both use many of the same additive packs to their base stocks and what separates the base stocks is just different processing and hydrocracking.
At the marketing level, oil companies like people who buy synthetics as the profit margins are higher for very little more that is expended to make the same petroleum oil. Group IV and V base stocks are synthesized in a lab and are about as pure as a man-made compound can be. Group III base stocks are highly refined and pretty damn close.
In all other countries outside the USA, lubricants using group III base stocks have to be labeled "synthetic blend" or "partially synthetic". They only get away with "Fully Synthetic" here in the US because the oil companies have deep pockets for Senators that pass marketing legislation.
10-08-2009, 08:18 AM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
has anyone read this oil test article before?
http://www.animegame.com/cars/Oil%20Tests.pdf
the article seems old and the testing was a bit limited but it's still interesting.
http://www.animegame.com/cars/Oil%20Tests.pdf
the article seems old and the testing was a bit limited but it's still interesting.
10-08-2009, 09:11 AM
#36
For anything meaningful to come from all this there would have to be Government mandated test results using a standard motor bearing or other surface that could absolutly be tested and infinitly be repeated and and a wear index applied. A standardizied median would include all oil natural and synthetic. Petrolium companies do posses this type of machinery but the question is - Is this machinery standardized between companies? Ad hype such as "the Best" would be a little more honest if it simply stated "nothing better" or "as good as anything you can buy". Interesting that the US Government doe's set standards and their standards are "meet or exceed" and then is bought based on price of the lowest bid. All major oils do meet or exceed todays requirements for engine lubrication. If your buying into the lower price tier, change your oil a little more frequently and enjoy the savings and accept the fact that you really are taking very good care of your car.
10-09-2009, 05:56 AM
#37
Registered User
You'll never settle this.It's like asking which is best: Ford or Chevy,Honda or Toyota, Coke or Pepsi.
Everyone thinks the brand they use is best...no one can provide any definitive proof.
Pick a well known,widely available brand and change it on a regular basis.
I personally use Penn Plat 5-30 in all my cars.I can't prove it's the best but it works well in my cars and the way I drive & maintain them.
\rlr
Everyone thinks the brand they use is best...no one can provide any definitive proof.
Pick a well known,widely available brand and change it on a regular basis.
I personally use Penn Plat 5-30 in all my cars.I can't prove it's the best but it works well in my cars and the way I drive & maintain them.
\rlr
10-09-2009, 07:29 AM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by redlineracing,Oct 9 2009, 05:56 AM
Pick a well known,widely available brand and change it on a regular basis.
10-09-2009, 10:46 PM
#39
Registered User
Originally Posted by 00S2K01S4,Oct 6 2009, 01:59 PM
I like Mobil 1. It may not be the best but I've used it on my other cars and never had engine problems. I think if we want to find out the best type of oil, maybe ask those with 200K miles on their ODO what brand of oil they use. I'm sure all the oils listed if changed out regularly will give you a long lasting engine.
