Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
Originally Posted By: OldEuroCarLover
Originally Posted By: car51
Valvoline and MS5K and M1 are in my "opinion" very good. I know of not many "blends" like MaxLife that are safe to use in new/newer vehicles
I agree. I don't understand the idea behind synthetic blends at all. Something in-between for people who want more than conventional, but aren't willing to buy synthetic? It seems like pure marketing to me.
Because in the USA, almost all "Synthetics" are actually blends. Even Mobil1 may be a blend as their formulations have changed. Same with Amsoil's recent changes. And most of us know it. Redline and Motul (pick the right ones) are what a German would call synthetic.
So buying something that says "blend" is not an issue. It's what the oil does that counts.
If you build bikes and race motors and such, like I have for 50 odd years, you get to know products and what their strengths are. Run a blown alcohol or nitro motor, better buy Redline, and do it by the 55 gallon drum ... Run race bike (2-stroke or 4) better think hard about Motul.
Have over 100,000 miles on a push-rod V8, maybe better step up to HDEO. Boat engines and garden equipment, maybe best to run SAE 30HD.
Then brand comes into the picture. Which brands have held up well in these duty classes? Chevron Supreme has always done exceedingly well in everyday service in huge fleet operations. Not even in your list anywhere ... Havoline has a very strong following and has since the 1960's.
Your list seems like it's about post 2010 cars and drivers. Have a classic anything and I think your list might work, but there might be a lot of alternatives.
And if you have played with real synthetics, you know they can have drain-off issues from lower surface tension. Not an issue in a daily driver mostly, but for an engine that sits for weeks, can be a real bug-a-boo. All kinds of clatter on cold start. Dino oils maintain capillary fill better, but have issues at higher temps. So a hot rod may need a "blend" to help it with the lifestyle and occasional weekend outings
Thanks for the long response! There's a lot in here that I had no idea about.
Are the blended synthetic oils you mentioned blends of different grades of synthetic oil, or are they blends of conventional oil and synthetic?
I know that a lot of people do not consider group III oil to be synthetic at all. Is that what you mean? What, in the US, is legally allowed to be called "full synthetic" vs "semi-synthetic" or "synthetic blend"?
I've read a lot of things saying that American synthetic oil isn't really synthetic compared to European standards. But then, after looking more deeply into it, it seems a bit difficult to see what the differences are between the actual oil used to make the final product.