Mineral based oil or Synthetic?

[oragex]

That is the finest 'synthetic' oil we can get from common stores. It is actually made and bottled in Germany (most Castrol sold in North America being produced locally). Be aware about the changes this oil will cause (as mentioned in the video above). The next choice would be the Castrol 0W-40 also made in Germany but with a wider grade range, so tehnically the 0W-30 should be more stable. If you want even better oils, you will have to look at the less commercial brands such as Amsoil, Red Line, Royal Purple and so on (and pay a higher price)

Don't forget to keep a very close eye at the dipstick for the first days/weeks

[amblerman]

One caveat to what OrangeX says.
There is something odd about that walmart listing. Either the listing is wrong or they are selling some really old stock.

The pictures and textual description list this as an SL oil and having that listed as the primary specification is odd.
Another oddity is this claims it's made in Belgium and not Germany (Purple arrow below). I think this is another indication that either the listing is wrong or it's for older stock.

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If you look here: https://www.api.org/products-and-servic ... b-gasoline
You'll see that SL is still a current designation but the notes say it's suitable for 2004 and older vehicles. So your 2002 could use this find and in fact it's newer/better oil than the SJ your owners manual called for.

That oil would be great for your car. As OrangeX states, that european formula Castrol 0w-30 is fantastic stuff.
I'm only pointing out that the listing is a bit odd as it's showing an older (ie not recently made) variant of the oil.

I also think you'd have to order it and have it shipped to the store. I have never seen the 0W30 physically in a walmart.
OrangeX, where do you buy it? Mail order? In a store? etc.

-A

[amblerman]

I forgot to add that that castrol 5w-30 and 5w-40 are easier to find stocked in Walmarts or other auto parts stores.

The Castrol 0W-30 and 0W-40 are a bit tougher for find stocked in a store. At least that has been my experience. -A

[amblerman]

In a previous post June mentions that for an oil to be considered real synthetic, it has to be labeled 100% Synthetic.

Do not confuse 100% Synthetic with "Full Synthetic"
See below.

That 5 qt jug is around $19 at Walmart. Even though the label says "Full Synthetic" there is no way it is made up of all (or even most) group 4/5 oils. Just from a cost stand point there is no way they could sell 5 quarts of group 4/5 for $19.

I am not saying the below oil is bad in any way. It's just another example of the false marketing of what synthetic means.

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[June]

In a previous post June mentions that for an oil to be considered real synthetic, it has to be labeled 100% Synthetic.

Do not confuse 100% Synthetic with "Full Synthetic"
See below.

That 5 qt jug is around $19 at Walmart. Even though the label says "Full Synthetic" there is no way it is made up of all (or even most) group 4/5 oils. Just from a cost stand point there is no way they could sell 5 quarts of group 4/5 for $19.

I am not saying the below oil is bad in any way. It's just another example of the false marketing of what synthetic means.

full.png

[oragex]

Just went to look at a bottle of 0W-30 Castrol Edge and I realize my confusion. Indeed, the 0W-30 Edge is an SL oil Made in Belgium (the above sticker is correct). However, not sure if available in the US (I'm in Canada), there is also a 0W-30 Castrol Syntec Made in Germany, harder to find https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthre ... 388&page=2

Wasn't aware that the Edge 0W-40 was an SN oil (more recent formulation), good to find out. The 5W-30 Edge is also SN, so these are supposed to be better at preventing sludge deposits

The Castrol Edge is being sold in Canada at the Canadian Tire chain (well spread hardware store), they discount the oils regularly - so the Edge will be discounted a few times/year at about $35+tx 5L jug https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/flyer.html

The Castrol Syntec seems to be sold at NAPA stores perhaps on order https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/CAS0201238

.

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[amblerman]

Just went to look at a bottle of 0W-30 Castrol Edge and I realize my confusion. Indeed, the 0W-30 Edge is an SL oil Made in Belgium (the above sticker is correct). However, not sure if available in the US (I'm in Canada), there is also a 0W-30 Castrol Syntec Made in Germany, harder to find https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthre ... 388&page=2

Wasn't aware that the Edge 0W-40 was an SN oil (more recent formulation), good to find out. The 5W-30 Edge is also SN, so these are supposed to be better at preventing sludge deposits

The Castrol Edge is being sold in Canada at the Canadian Tire chain (well spread hardware store), they discount the oils regularly - so the Edge will be discounted a few times/year at about $35+tx 5L jug https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/flyer.html

The Castrol Syntec seems to be sold at NAPA stores perhaps on order https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/CAS0201238

.
Untitled.jpg

That https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthre ... 388&page=2 is from 2009 which now makes sense as to why the bottles they show carry the SL classification. That post even shows the green oil I mentioned earlier. what an odd color.

I'd be surprised if any oil made by a big name brand was just SL at this point. Most are SN and most moving to SN+ in the popular weights.

I search the Napa site for US and they don't even list the 0w-30 at all. When I go into most auto parts stores here in US, I can easily find the castrol black bottle in 5w20, 5w-30, 5w-40 and 0w-40. Gold bottle Castrol in 5w-30 and -20
some stores even have the gold bottle 10w-60 but that's behind the couter since it's so expensive.

I don't know why the 0w30 is so hard to find in stores down here in US.

[amblerman]

June,
If that Wolf's head really is group 4/5 oil, then that is pretty cheap.
That works out to $7.50 a quart which is pretty inexpensive if it really is group 4/5 oils with no group 3.

The same weight oil from Redline on amazon is more than 2x that wolf's head price.

But it does illustrate the wild price difference of the quaker state at <$4/qt compared to the wolf's head at $7.50/qt.
That's why I doubt the "Full Synthetic" really is the same as "100% synthetic".

I even have my doubts about what 100% synthetic means in the context of the US where "synthetic" seems not to mean what we all think it should mean. (in Europe I can believe it means something legally).

-A

[oragex]

I don't know why the 0w30 is so hard to find in stores down here in US.

Even in Canada they sell mostly the Belgium one (Edge) and only by the qt bottle. The German Syntec one that's on the can Napa site, not even sure you can actually order it (may just be an old web page).

I would guess it has to do with the place of manufacturing/bottling - Belgium and Germany. All other Castrol stuff is bottled and perhaps also produced locally, as far as I know. Interesting they don't have the license or the agreement to produce the 0W-30 in the US, like the other Castrol oils

[June]

June,
If that Wolf's head really is group 4/5 oil, then that is pretty cheap.
That works out to $7.50 a quart which is pretty inexpensive if it really is group 4/5 oils with no group 3.

The same weight oil from Redline on amazon is more than 2x that wolf's head price.

But it does illustrate the wild price difference of the quaker state at <$4/qt compared to the wolf's head at $7.50/qt.
That's why I doubt the "Full Synthetic" really is the same as "100% synthetic".

I even have my doubts about what 100% synthetic means in the context of the US where "synthetic" seems not to mean what we all think it should mean. (in Europe I can believe it means something legally).

-A

In the 1999 judgement it is clearly stated for a product in the USA to be labeled 100% Synthetic it must be a Synthetically produced product. All containing a modified petroleum base cannot be labeled 100% Synthetic. Mobil 1 used to be labeled 100% Synthetic Pryor to 1999. I used Mobil 1 starting with my first brand new car, the 1986 Buick Park Avenue coupe. I was really angry when I found out I was paying all that money and not getting a true Synthetic product. So my 2.9 T6 has varnish consequently even though I changed it every 3K for 13 years... Castrol dealer installed...

I showed the Wolf's Head because it is the Cheapest 100% Synthetic oil on the market. I did my homework and talked to by phone or through e-mail all companies whose oil I considered. Price was not my concern, engine protection was number one. That's how I settled on Redline. In fact I had Amazon deliver me a case at $124 on the road and had the oil changed today. That's about $10 a quart. Note the Redline box in my trunk! June