Castrol...and all the confusing oils they produce

[addyguy]

I know that oil companies usually put out different oils for different markets/needs, but most are fairly easy to follow - eg, Mobil makes a lot of different types on Mobil 1 oils - Mobil 1, Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy, Mobil 1 High Mileage, Mobil 1 ESP...but they are all failry clearly marked as to waht they are, and what market/segment they are for.

Castrol, on the other hand, produces different synthetic oils, but it is impossible to figure out 'what is what'...they have their regular Syntec, which comes in standard grades - 5w30, 10w30, 5W-50, and the 'Euro' versions that are sold here - 0w30 and 5W-40.

But then they wanted to get into the 4718M market, so they made a 'special' 4718M 'synthetic' that you can buy through GM dealers....is this a brand-new oil, a modified Syntec 5w30, or a version of their 'SLX' oil from Europe, which has a similar package?

Oh, but wait - it gets better! Now they have 'Castrol Edge' 5w30 and 10w30 in the US...it has similar specs to regular Syntec, but the name is used in European markets....so is THIS oil re-labeled/formulated Syntec, or the 'Edge' oil right from Europe? AND is IT the same thing as Castrol '4718M oil' sold in GM dealerships...?

 

[wavinwayne]

It's 8X more confusing than M1, in independent BITOG testing.

 

[drivewaytech]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
It's 8X more confusing than M1, in independent BITOG testing.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
or the 'Edge' oil right from Europe?

It is not the same stuff as Edge in Europe. The specs are different.

It is also not the same stuff as the old Syntec. Again, the specs are different.

 

[Ken2]

Just to clarify, Castrol is one of BP's brand names. BP, of course, is huge world-wide and is based in London.

Just guessing, but does the "Euro" flavor meet ACEA (European) specs while U.S. Syntec does not? Is the Edge for certain retailers to give them something that appears to be unique for a marketing boost?

 

[mechtech2]

Computer graphics processing cards by Nvidia and AMD make no sense in their progression or designation, either.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Ken2
Just guessing, but does the "Euro" flavor meet ACEA (European) specs while U.S. Syntec does not?

The Euro Castrol EDGE 5w30 meets ACEA A3/B3/B4/C3.
The USA Castrol EDGE 5w30 meets ACEA A1/A5/B1/B5.

 

[addyguy]

Okay, but even if the Castrol EDGE 5w30 and 10w30 oils are different than the Syntec 5w30 and 10w30, they are still 'close enough', spec wise, that they are overlapping each other.

Or, since they are promoting a 15k drain with the edge oils, are the Syntec and Castrol EDGE oils like M1, and Mobil 1 Extended Performance in the Mobil line - similar specs, but one designed for OEM drain intervals, and one for extended drains?

 

[addyguy]

Just was on the 'Pep Boys Castrol Edge' thread, and someone confirmed that Castrol Edge meets GM 4718M...So I don't think its too far of a stretch to assume this oil sis the same thing as the '4718M Synthetic' oil offered by GM dealerships....

 

[Pablo]

I'm always baffled when someone says Amsoil's oil line up is confusing.....so what do I know?

 

[Audi Junkie]

It actually makes perfect sense. There are now a myriad of "Professional" blend Castrol, like SLX Pro for VW.

There's always seperate Euro and API oils. Shure, there could be a lot less API oils. 10w30 could be replaced by 5w30, but won't because it's the best selling grade. Same with 10w-40. 20w-50 vs 5w-50? Shure there are issues, but its' far from "confusing".

 

[addyguy]

No, it IS confusing - as I said, there is Syntec, Edge, and 'Dealership 4718M' for NA applications, and NONE of these are what is pictured above. So, are they all basically the same thing, or are they all different oils?

The 'Euro' oil you have pictured above is a completely separate line of oils designed to meet ACEA specs, not necessarily API ones....