Has anyone used the Walmart supertech full synthetic oil? Who makes it for them? It costs a lot less than other synthetics but I wonder if it's as good as Castrol Synetec or Mobil One. Thanks.
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Particular oil probably is not as good as Mobil 1 but, if it's based on PAO (label should tell you that!), it is better than Castrol Syntec. Why? Castrol Syntec is hydrocracked petroleum oil with little bit less disadvantages (over synthetics) than ordinary petroleum oil.
This doesn't mean that Mobil 1 is "the best one". There are better motor oils on the market.
This doesn't mean that Mobil 1 is "the best one". There are better motor oils on the market.
Jason ,
The API SM Walmart synthetic is built with entirely PAO as far as I can tell . It's a bargain and can be used with confidence to around 5k miles in most engines , just depends on the type service and climate , engine ****** ect.
The API SM Walmart synthetic is built with entirely PAO as far as I can tell . It's a bargain and can be used with confidence to around 5k miles in most engines , just depends on the type service and climate , engine ****** ect.
S-e-r-i-e-s was bleeped out 
Whatta hoot
Whatta hoot
M1 ???????????
question to all purveyors of " synthetic oils". has anyone ever read a paper or seen in print anywhere,an article concerning a synthetic zinc,phosperous,boron,calcium,magnesium,etc all of which are part of the additive pak. which is the heart and soul of any motor oil or gear lube or transmission fluid, or bearing grease etc.without these non-synthetic ingredients no engine, trans.,ring and pinion,wheel bearing,universal joint,cv joint,etc;would last for 50 miles.a world reknown surgeon is not very effective without his instruments and assistants. likewise a" full synthetic " has the same effect ;especially where internal combustion engines are involved.
kelly,
Permit me to use your "surgeon" analogy and ask you a question: Providing that all assistants and surgical instruments are the same… wouldn’t you look to pick a better surgeon among all available before you lie down and let him stab you with a scalpel? The same is with oils. If additives are the same (as they are pretty much) in all motor, wouldn’t you choose the oil blended with better base oil?
Permit me to use your "surgeon" analogy and ask you a question: Providing that all assistants and surgical instruments are the same… wouldn’t you look to pick a better surgeon among all available before you lie down and let him stab you with a scalpel? The same is with oils. If additives are the same (as they are pretty much) in all motor, wouldn’t you choose the oil blended with better base oil?
my point is not wheather a"synthetic"is better or "mineral". my point is, the additive pak itself is not synthetic.my contention is , a"full synthetic" is not "full" unless these essential ingredients are being produced in synthetic form.
quote:Originally posted by kelly tidwell:
... a"full synthetic" is not "full" unless these essential ingredients are being produced in synthetic form.
You mean: motor oil? “Full” is just marketing term and it has nothing with motor oil composition. Blended and mineral oils are “full of additives” too and according your explanation we shouldn’t be surprised with “full mineral oil” label.
i mean the terminology "full synthetic"should reflect exactly what is in the bottle.i am neither pro nor con synthetic or mineral ,however conventional motor oil does not have misnomers on the label.as far as the fluid is concerned neither product has independant status without the additive pak.the majority of artifically created motor oils use a group 3 base stock which is absolutely mineral oil,although their product is labeled "full synthetic".i do not want to adress product names. it is just possible that this could marketing ploy?
Terminologies such as "full synthetic" or “synthetic blend” or “premium mineral oil” refer only to base oil, and not to additives. Group-3 oils are often called “synthetic”, not because of their origin, but because of their characteristics, which are comparable to some man-made products. These terms are not based on any particular scam by the individual oil companies. Instead, they were set up by the API (American Petroleum Institute) that everyone uses. Anyhow, one should not get overly picky and get bogged down too much about those terms. Try to understand their (oil companies) position, too. They are in a fierce competition for consumers, and one should tried to understand what would the consequences be if they would just laid out blending composition of their product, with which they intend to get the upper hand on the very competitors.
As for the additives, the only terminology that refers to “synthetic” additives is the term “ashless”, which means that the additives in certain product (most frequently referred to turbine oils and hydraulic fluids) are non-metallic based, or man-made.
As for the additives, the only terminology that refers to “synthetic” additives is the term “ashless”, which means that the additives in certain product (most frequently referred to turbine oils and hydraulic fluids) are non-metallic based, or man-made.
i respect your opinion on what "full" implies on a bottle of motor oil;however i don't think api had as much to do with "full" on a motor oil label as did a judge.while you and i may understand why group-3 is often referred to as man made the average consumer is totally un-aware. the"small print"is much too small.the prolongs and slick-50's of the world have been spanked for misleading consumers by false claims; do you really feel it is ok for motor oil producers/marketers to imply that because their product claims "full synthetic" on the label that there is some magical element inside? and because of this magical ingredient they can surely use this oil for up to 50,000 miles as is touted by several "full synthetic" marketers? my lay opinion is "all marketers of synthetic lubricating fluids should display on the label either front or back, exactly what % of synthesis creation is in that bottle.it is done with other consumer products, whiskey,wine , fruit drinks, all express what % of alcohol or real juice is contained within.i have no war with synthetic fluids,but playing with words simply for personal gains is wrong.kind of like the guy who looked into the tv camera and said"I DID NOT HAVE *** WITH THAT WOMAN",all because of his opinion of what the word *** should mean.
James C.Fitch has written a book called "How to select A Motor oil and Filter for your car or Truck". It can be purchased by going to Noria.com's book store.It is a good read and I trust you will find it interesting.
kelly,
I completely understand your request for transparency in declarations of motor oils. I just don’t see it’s going to happen any time soon. Anyhow, I personally would never leave the same oil for 50,000 miles regardless what anybody says. Changing oil is way too cheaper. Also, there are certain standards motor oil should meet. And if it does meet it, than I really don’t care if it is fully synthetic or Group-3 oil. I am not going to jeopardize $40,000 value by saving $50 on skipped oil change. Declarations for food is somewhat different, even I agree with you that it should be treated the same. However, I also don’t trust the expiration dates on milk jugs, and I go out and buy new one when the old one is three days old, no mater what the print says. Consumers should have some common sense.
I completely understand your request for transparency in declarations of motor oils. I just don’t see it’s going to happen any time soon. Anyhow, I personally would never leave the same oil for 50,000 miles regardless what anybody says. Changing oil is way too cheaper. Also, there are certain standards motor oil should meet. And if it does meet it, than I really don’t care if it is fully synthetic or Group-3 oil. I am not going to jeopardize $40,000 value by saving $50 on skipped oil change. Declarations for food is somewhat different, even I agree with you that it should be treated the same. However, I also don’t trust the expiration dates on milk jugs, and I go out and buy new one when the old one is three days old, no mater what the print says. Consumers should have some common sense.
quote:Originally posted by John Micetic:
... I personally would never leave the same oil for 50,000 miles regardless what anybody says. Changing oil is way too cheaper ... I am not going to jeopardize $40,000 value by saving $50 on skipped oil change.
Your disbelief in manufacturer's claims about extended drain interval is understandable, but (only) oil analysis is proven method to confirm or deny them. Besides acquiring a trust into (particular) manufacturer’s claim you'll have (very) pragmatic view into engine condition. That is “the tool” for making a selection between manufacturers by eliminating dishonest ones (if there are).
Complying with time based oil analysis is nothing else that giving money away. By my opinion worse of that is to arbitrarily decide about time for oil change. Should we believe that you have (much) better tests and methods than laboratories?
Djordan,
I am talking here about my little beetle TDI, and not of a fleet. Therefore, it is out of question for me to do oil analysis, as it’d cost me more than buying filter and new oil and get busy for half an hour. I disagree with you that arbitrary oil change is bad, and here is why. It is my own decision when to change the oil, and I do it at least twice a year. The change is not based solely on mileage (around 7,000 miles/year), but rather on season (one change in late spring and another in late fall). After reading post here I was intrigued to try new Amsoil but am discouraged when found out I can get it only by mail(?). So I will be sticking to Castrol 5W-40 for now.
I am talking here about my little beetle TDI, and not of a fleet. Therefore, it is out of question for me to do oil analysis, as it’d cost me more than buying filter and new oil and get busy for half an hour. I disagree with you that arbitrary oil change is bad, and here is why. It is my own decision when to change the oil, and I do it at least twice a year. The change is not based solely on mileage (around 7,000 miles/year), but rather on season (one change in late spring and another in late fall). After reading post here I was intrigued to try new Amsoil but am discouraged when found out I can get it only by mail(?). So I will be sticking to Castrol 5W-40 for now.
quote:am discouraged when found out I can get it only by mail
There are thousands of Amsoil dealers. Go to the amsoil.com homepage and search for one in your area. HERE IS THE LINK TO DEALER LOCATOR
btw-Amsoil is not new, they have been in business since 1972.
john, i work in the lubricant industry and my company attends several industry shows per year.conversing one on one with consumers i am constantly told by "john q public"that his purchase of xyz "full synthetic" in essence guarantees his oil to be completely serviceable for light years.i have personally listened to some of the sales pitches that are used and they are really mis-leading.so much is touted about the equal-sized molecules and the extreme low pour point that it would be easy for the average person to be pulled in.as we know many companies believe anything is fair in sales pitches to the general public; no matter how mis-leading.if an oil bottle had a label which read "22%, or 24%" full synthetic the consumer could at least have an indicator.the same applies to "mineral/dino oil" as well i.e.this bottle contains x % pure mineral oil.
John,
having in mind this
Oil analysis is going to cost you ~$20 and for that money you'll have written proof that nothing wrong is currently happening in your engine. Therefore, regardless of "having a fleet" you're going to save ~$25 if you put new oil filter. Moreover, doing by this way you can not speak about jeopardizing your investment at all because nothing is based on suppositions, predictions or mysterious game. Along with performing oil & engine check you’re making separation between honest and dishonest & less good, good and excellent oil manufacturers. For your future reference, if nothing else.
Speaking about Amsoil I can assure you that “mail discomfort” (UPS actually) is worth of motor oil quality. For your beetle TDI recommendation is: “as much as OEM recommends without oil analysis”. It can be (and would be!) extended with oil analysis. On the other side I am (more than) sure that you can find dealer close to you so you can have oil without US Post involved.
having in mind this
you're wrong!quote:Originally posted by John Micetic:
... I am not going to jeopardize $40,000 value by saving $50 on skipped oil change...
Oil analysis is going to cost you ~$20 and for that money you'll have written proof that nothing wrong is currently happening in your engine. Therefore, regardless of "having a fleet" you're going to save ~$25 if you put new oil filter. Moreover, doing by this way you can not speak about jeopardizing your investment at all because nothing is based on suppositions, predictions or mysterious game. Along with performing oil & engine check you’re making separation between honest and dishonest & less good, good and excellent oil manufacturers. For your future reference, if nothing else.
Speaking about Amsoil I can assure you that “mail discomfort” (UPS actually) is worth of motor oil quality. For your beetle TDI recommendation is: “as much as OEM recommends without oil analysis”. It can be (and would be!) extended with oil analysis. On the other side I am (more than) sure that you can find dealer close to you so you can have oil without US Post involved.
The US Mail keeps getting mentioned and its probably just a figure of speach but in any case, Amsoil does not ship any products thru the mails. Its used UPS for all but large shipments.
I looked and got many dealer in the Portland area, so if he really wanted to find it, he could with a phone call.
Kelly,
How about a label that says 100% synthetic? Or does it have to say 100% full synthetic to meet your standards? Or how about 100% half synthetic?
I looked and got many dealer in the Portland area, so if he really wanted to find it, he could with a phone call.
Kelly,
How about a label that says 100% synthetic? Or does it have to say 100% full synthetic to meet your standards? Or how about 100% half synthetic?
