Synthetic Oil Harmful?

Post by **abscate** » 04 Apr 2018, 14:09

Short version. The term 'synthetic' has gotten a bit ambiguous, as there are now oils that come from crude oil, but are built up to improve performance. Those are Group 3 oils and are often labelled 'synthetic'

Group 5 oils are completely synthesised for superior performance - tailor made, if you will.

Post by **June** » 04 Apr 2018, 16:11

abscate wrote: ↑04 Apr 2018, 14:09 Short version. The term 'synthetic' has gotten a bit ambiguous, as there are now oils that come from crude oil, but are built up to improve performance. Those are Group 3 oils and are often labelled 'synthetic'

Group 5 oils are completely synthesised for superior performance - tailor made, if you will.

Before the 2000's all synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 were either group 4 or 5. Google Mobil sued Castrol and read up. If a company can sell you a cheaper product (group 3) and label it as Synthetic, of course greedy companies do and most Americans don't know the difference. I didn't...

Back in 2016 my rear cam seals sprung a leak and i opened the oil cap for the first time. To my surprise it looked cruddy! How can that be with a engine that only runs synthetic at 3k oci at the dealer it's entire life? The answer; group 3 oil passed off as a synthetic product.

Since i switched my 2004 S80 T6 from dealer Castrol synthetic (group 3) to redline synthetic (group 5) the oil stays clean between oil changes. That's a difference that can be seen on the dipstick. June

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 04 Apr 2018, 17:46

I'll have to do more research on synthetic oil groups. The oil conversations often make my head hurt! Hahaha

Post by **MrAl** » 05 Apr 2018, 08:19

abscate wrote: ↑04 Apr 2018, 14:09 Short version. The term 'synthetic' has gotten a bit ambiguous, as there are now oils that come from crude oil, but are built up to improve performance. Those are Group 3 oils and are often labelled 'synthetic'

Group 5 oils are completely synthesised for superior performance - tailor made, if you will.

Hi,

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

The only question left then is, are the containers marked as such like Group 3, Group 5 ?
In other words, how can we tell the difference when we go to buy a container of oil?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 05 Apr 2018, 08:36

Oh the joy of living somewhere synthetic means synthetic

Certain viscosities like 0w40 or 5w40 are AFAIK always proper synthetics. Also great general purpose viscosities that cover pretty much every normal driving condition. Other that can be both not so sure.

Post by **MrAl** » 06 Apr 2018, 06:46

Rattnalle wrote: ↑05 Apr 2018, 08:36 Oh the joy of living somewhere synthetic means synthetic

Certain viscosities like 0w40 or 5w40 are AFAIK always proper synthetics. Also great general purpose viscosities that cover pretty much every normal driving condition. Other that can be both not so sure.

Hi,

Just to be clear, i guess you meant 10w40 and 5w40 right?

Thanks.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 06 Apr 2018, 06:53

MrAl wrote: ↑06 Apr 2018, 06:46
Rattnalle wrote: ↑05 Apr 2018, 08:36 Oh the joy of living somewhere synthetic means synthetic

Certain viscosities like 0w40 or 5w40 are AFAIK always proper synthetics. Also great general purpose viscosities that cover pretty much every normal driving condition. Other that can be both not so sure.

Hi,

Just to be clear, i guess you meant 10w40 and 5w40 right?

Thanks.

Nope. 0w40. 10w40 at least over here is usually semi synthetic.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 06 Apr 2018, 07:06

I only use 0w40 in my V70. Usually Mobil 1 because I can get it so cheap on Amazon.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Apr 2018, 07:15

Rattnalle wrote: ↑05 Apr 2018, 08:36 Oh the joy of living somewhere synthetic means synthetic

Certain viscosities like 0w40 or 5w40 are AFAIK always proper synthetics. Also great general purpose viscosities that cover pretty much every normal driving condition. Other that can be both not so sure.

Stop gloating Ratnalle

We have awesome health care for 2x your cost as long as you don't get sick

Our universities are free, as long as you don't mind 300k USD in loans

And our meatballs are better.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 06 Apr 2018, 07:42

abscate wrote: ↑06 Apr 2018, 07:15
Rattnalle wrote: ↑05 Apr 2018, 08:36 Oh the joy of living somewhere synthetic means synthetic

Certain viscosities like 0w40 or 5w40 are AFAIK always proper synthetics. Also great general purpose viscosities that cover pretty much every normal driving condition. Other that can be both not so sure.
Stop gloating Ratnalle

We have awesome health care for 2x your cost as long as you don't get sick

Our universities are free, as long as you don't mind 300k USD in loans

And our meatballs are better.

I just pay for all that stuff by paying as much tax as i earn after taxes. Except the meatballs. No meat for me thanks.

Synthetic Oil Harmful?

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