Yep, that is true.

 

Ok been reading and now I am not sure if I want to go to Mobil-1 or not. If this is not as it says a Level IV synthetic then what synthetic oil should I go with. ?????

 

I'm with the Lone Ranger in regard to BITOG....it's confusing !!!!

So, without reading for the next 2 or 3 days on that site, can you tell me BRIEFLY why I should be concerned with a Group III or a Group IV synthetic?

I'm looking at the fact that 95% of the manufacturers in the world that use synthetic, use Mobil 1. Also some of the NASCAR people use Mobil synthetic. Probably a different formula, but still........if it does the job, so what? I mean if fossil oil base comes from a couple of different locations, world wide, is that reason to decline a particular brand (other than political).

Is the difference between the two types, THAT critical? Or is it just a matter of conjecture, like oil change intervals? Do the makers need to provide certain data to assert the product as synthetic?

Again, don't wish to debate this. I'm asking questions to get reliable answers.

 

You cannot go wrong with any of the synthetics put out by any of the major players today..Mobil One, Castrol Syntec, Valvoline SynPower, Pennzoil Platinum, Royal Purple, etc....I have no allegiance to any one brand...they pretty much have all changed to some sort of Group III oil.

I'll be using Pennz Plat next probably as I have a free case of it because I agreed to do some testing of it with a "First Drivers Club" with Car and Driver. Search over at BITOG if you'd like to get in on it. Seems like a good deal.

LR- I'll probably use 2 quarts of the PAO formula of Penzz Plat that I have left over and 3 quarts of the new Group III formula...should make for an interesting UOA. I posted the results of my first UOA over there tonight



Goose


PS that is a good price for M1....real good price...they must been feeling the Pennz Plat heat at Wally World as that is also priced out at just under 20 bucks for the 5 qt jug

 

It used to be that no petroleum based (Group III) oil could legally be labeled synthetic, only Group IV PAO oils could be so labeled. Then Exxon-Mobil and Castrol got in a fight which was a court battle over castrol calling their petroleum oil based Castrol Syntec a synthetic oil.

Castrol won and as a result it allowed anyone to put a Group III oil (highly refined conventional petroleum oil) into a bottle and legally label it as synthetic. Most of the oils out there calling themselves synthetic are group III's with clever additive packages.

I believe Amsoil, Redline, and Royal Purple are still 100% Group IV PAO oils, though. Depressing to see Exxon-Mobil cheapen their Mobil-1 product by blending with Group III, though.

 

Ok, thanks for the responses.

But LR, you say depressing about Mobil CHEAPENING their product by blending with a Group III. Why is it cheapened? Are you speaking of cost?

I mean so far, no one has said "THIS" is better because it will do/or does this. And I guess, that is what I'm asking about. Is one better than the other and why?

At this point, are people just "hung up" on the word, "synthetic"???

 

Hey Goose.. maybe the pricing is reginal on oils!!1 I looked directly at the 5 quart jug of Pennzoil Platinum and it was $23.88 (in fact, that was the price of all the synthetics, prior to this price drop on Mobil 1.....well also Mobil 1 Extended was $28.68)

 

It is less expensive to produce a blended III/IV than a pure IV. I just don't like the way the courts let the game change after the Castrol/Mobil case.

 

LR, the lawsuit was actually between Mobil and Castrol...before Exxon bought Mobil.

Snoopy, a lot of people got their nose out of joint because Exxon supposedly changed the formula to a Group III formulation but kept the Group IV pricing.

Personally, I have Castrol Syntec in the engine right now, and have two 5 quart jugs of Pennzoil Platinum waiting in the wings for the next two oil changes. It's cheaper to buy PP (and Mobil and Castrol) in 5 qt jugs here than it is to get single quarts - no AAP BOGO deals on this side of the 49th

As far as pricing, being in Canada, things are really different. At our local Wal-Mart, Mobil 1 & Syntec are $39 for a 5L jug, Mobil 1 is $32 for a 4.4L jug with a 1L bottle attached as a bonus (5.4L total). I get a 4.7L (5 qt) jug Pennzoil Platinum for $25 for when it's on sale at a different store (WM doesn't carry the 5 qt jugs of PP here). M1 rarely goes on sale, and when it does, the price is still not as good as Pennzoil Platinum.

 

Sorry guys, but i think this issue comes down to payolla. Or is GM just upset that John Force, Castrol GTX sponcered Funny Car is a Mustang...LOL.
But realy, i find it hard to believe that Castrol motor oil is just fine for all the Toyota, Honda, Chrysler,and Ford 4 cyinders but not the GM's. I wouldn't worry about it if you make regular oil changes.