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Posted by Bob Davis (more from Bob Davis) on Tue, 2 Apr 2002 22:32:00 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: What brand full-synthetic oil do you use?, Joe98, Tue, 2 Apr 2002 13:27:31
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>> ...and after going to the store to purchase it, I almost passed-out from the price!!!!!


Consider this: Most car owners change their oil once every 3-6 months. Using fossil products you can safely change at 3k intervals, yet synthetics can typically endure 10k intervals without significant breakdown or contamination under normal conditions. Abnormal conditions include extended idling; short trips, especially in cold weather; and driving in unusually dusty conditions. In this sense, you will actually save money by using a synthetic product, and even if you change more often, the ultimate increase in costs will be mere dollars per year over using fossil products. Do the math and you may be surprised.


>> After browsing the many different brands of full-synth oil, I noticed >> that the price varied, Mobil 1 being the most expensive, and Exxon
>> being $1.50 per quart cheaper. So, I have this question:

Exxon and Mobil merged two years ago, and presently Mobil 1 is their only full-synthetic offering that I'm aware of. If the company makes a synthetic under the Exxon label and is selling it for $1.50/qt, it assuredly isn't a full-synthetic and will likely be fossil-synthetic blend.
It is probably a passable product, but why compromise?

>> Does it matter if I use Mobil 1 or another recognized-name brand?

IMHO, there are three brands of synthetic oil that rank at the top: Royal Purple, Amsoil, and Mobil 1--in that order. If you're shocked by the price of M1 (about $4), you will be horrified at the price of the other two. RP retails for $5.75/qt and Amsoil $7-8/qt (at last check). RP can be obtained from Napa stores (retail pricing) or http://www.oiltown.com for deep discounts by the case or 5-gal pail. Amsoil is as scarce as hens' teeth, and finding it in your locality will likely be an arduous exercise, if it is available at all. There are no dealers in Baton Rouge, for example, which has a population of 400k, the nearest distributor being in New Orleans.

>> Since it is full-synth, I know it is better than fossil, and since I
>> will be doing the changes every 3K - 5K miles, does it really matter
>> who's oil I use, so long as it is full-synth?

Synthetic products are superior to their fossil counterparts in one major category: oxidation reduction. Even with excellent additive packages available today in fossil products, sythetics endure heat-related breakdown (oxidation) much better than fossil oils. Because of this, change intervals can be extended from 3K (ideal for fossil) to 10k or even more. Contrary to common perception, synthetic base stocks do not have radically better lubricity (slickness) than fossil products, but what separates the men from the boys in this business is the additive package. Because the price is higher, better additives can be used without upsetting the delicate balance of price versus marketability. People expect synthetic products to cost more, perceive (correctly) that they are superior, and a minority of customers will pay the price for the perceived value they reap. A $1 increase in additive cost for a $1.50 fossil product that exists in a very price-competitive arena is much more significant than for a $5 synthetic, where people who choose it will likely not quibble over such a hike.

Since the additive packages for synthetics are typically better, lubricity is usually improved which results in lower friction and wear.



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