In Reply to: Are all synthetics equal? Mobil, Penzoil,Castrol,Valvo, Skyrocket [Profile/Gallery] , Fri, 19 May 2006 16:12:10

There are lots of differences between oils labeled as synthetic. Oils meeting the API Group III and Group IV can both be legally labeled as synthetic oil. And there are many differences in the way the Group III or Group IV oils are formulated.

API Group III - Hydro processing and Refining: Group III base oils are subjected to the highest level of mineral oil refining of the base oil groups. Although they are not chemically engineered, they offer good performance in a wide range of attributes as well as good molecular uniformity and stability. They are commonly mixed with additives and marketed as synthetic or semi-synthetic products. Group III base oils have become more common in America in the last decade.

API Group IV - Chemically Reacted: Group IV base oils are chemically engineered synthetic base stocks. Polyalphaolefins (PAO's) synthetics, when combined with additives, offer excellent performance over a wide range of lubricating properties. They have very stable chemical compositions and highly uniform molecular chains. Group IV base oils are becoming more common in synthetic and synthetic-blend products for automotive and industrial applications.

Valvoline is Group II oil.
Castrol sells both Group II and Group IV oils.
Mobil 1, Amsoil, and Redline are Group IV oils.

Mobil 1 0W-40 has been tested and listed as a recommended oil by Saab, Mercedes, and BMW. The car makers have limited resources so they typically only test and rate oils that are widely available. So there maybe others synthetic oils that are equal to or better than the "recommended" oils but the consumer will have do their own research and the car manufactures will most likely not honor the warranty with non-recommended oils.

REM in Seattle
2005 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible; 5-speed; 9000 miles
1998 Saab 900SET; 5-door; Automatic; 84,000 miles
1984 Saab 900T; 3-door; 5-speed; 242,000 miles (RIP)

• What has happended to Mobil1 5w-40?, Jeff in ATL, Thu, 18 May 2006 20:05:22
  • Try Mobil 1 0W-40...., REM in Seattle, Thu, 18 May 2006 20:35:41
  • Re: What has happended to Mobil1 5w-40?, Dean, Thu, 18 May 2006 20:16:02
    • Any idea why?, Jeff in ATL, Thu, 18 May 2006 20:30:29
      • Re: Any idea why?, Dean, Thu, 18 May 2006 22:33:07
        • Re: Any idea why?, VTim, Fri, 19 May 2006 04:53:27
          • Yes, it's the same, Eiron, Fri, 19 May 2006 07:20:37
          • Re: Any idea why?, Jeff in ATL, Fri, 19 May 2006 05:40:31
            • Look for M1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel, Eiron, Fri, 19 May 2006 07:24:43
              • Are all synthetics equal? Mobil, Penzoil,Castrol,Valvo, Skyrocket , Fri, 19 May 2006 16:12:10
                • All synthetics are not equal..., REM in Seattle, Fri, 19 May 2006 21:31:02 <-- Viewing This Message
                  • What Rob said, plus...., Eiron, Fri, 19 May 2006 22:36:56
                    • see the supplied link for an answer!, AllanJ, Sun, 21 May 2006 14:20:41

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