I use PAO synthetic oil

Staying away from Amsoil then?

Ed

Ed, I believe it is only their cheaper grades which have (recently) switched to Group III.

Mobil 1 and Schaeffer are still mostly PAO while NEO and Red Line are mostly ester. NEO is dibasic and Red Line Polyol.

Not sure about Torco or Leading Edge.

Most mass market brands such as Pennzoil, Shell, Castrol, Quaker State, Valvoline and others are all overpriced Group III. I heard Lucas Oil's "synthetic" was a Group III as well.

--- Bror Jace

Could someone enlighten us somewhat oil-challenged readers regarding PAO, Group II, Group III, etc.? What's it all mean, briefly?

Thanks...

It is their API certified oil, XL7500, that is group 3 based.

Ed

Group V - Esters. Very high temp (and expensive!) synthetic base stocks.

PAO = poly alpha olefins - Group IV synthetics made from catalyzing a gas such as ethylene gas into a liquid form. Traditional synthetic oil, a synthesized hydrocarbon.

Group III, II+, II, I - all mineral base stocks. I is the least refined while III is the MOST refined. It is also hydrocracked and isomerized to make the end product very uniform and stable. Group I oils are getting rare. Hard to use that grade of base stock and pass API SL tests.

Many companies, beginning with Castrol in late '97 have been passing off Group III mineral stocks as "synthetic" because they approach the stability and performance of early PAOs. Group III is about half the price of most PAOs.

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--- Bror Jace