Re: Synthetic Oil?

[Jon Auringer <J.Auringer@astronautics.com>]

Wm. Josiah Erikson wrote:

> FWIW, Car & Driver did a study awhile back about synthetic oil. They tested

Could you provide an issue date? I seem to have missed that article,
but would like to read it.

> some New York taxis over 60,000 miles and could not discern any difference in
> engine wear between synthetic and normal oil, nor could they tell the
> difference between any of the other oils. As far as they could tell, all oils
> protected as well as each other. In extreme temperature situations, synthetic
> oil can help. But unless you live in Alaska or the Sahara, I wouldn't worry
> about it.  Just my $.02

Well, Wisconsin isn't Alaska, but it still gets pretty cold here.
Ambient temperatures are often below 0 degrees Fahrenheit during the
winter. While my 88' 16V was still under warranty, I ran
conventional oils. Valvoline 20W-50 Racing during the summer and
10W-30 All Climate when the temperatures dropped. After 24,000 miles
I switched to Mobil 1 15W-50 year-round. To me, the synthetic seems
to allow the motor to spin over much easier for starting in the cold
than the 10W-30 conventional. As you can see from the table below,
the rated pourability would coincide with my observations.

excerpted from: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Motor Oil
                     By Ed Hackett <edh@maxey.unr.edu>


Brand                   VI    Flash    Pour    %ash   %zinc
-----------------------------------------------------------
20W-50
Valvoline Race         140      425     -10     1.2     .20
15W-50
Mobil 1                170      470     -55     ---     ---
10W-30
Valvoline All Climate  130      410     -26     1.0     .11

Also from the same source:

>The synthetics offer the only truly significant differences, due to their 
>superior high temperature oxidation resistance, high film strength, very 
>low tendency to form deposits, stable viscosity base, and low temperature 
>flow characteristics. Synthetics are superior lubricants compared to 
>traditional petroleum oils. You will have to decide if their high cost is 
>justified in your application.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Later,
	Jon

Jon Auringer
J.Auringer@astronautics.com

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