ConocoPhillips 'syn blends' - Much ado about nothing?

[Matt89]

I did some sniffing around on Chevron's Base Oils web page and been giving this question some thought.

People get excited because ConocoPhillips' oils (Motorcraft, T/A, Kendall etc) are now advertised as "synthetic blends" in the 5W-20 and 5w30 grades because they contain Group II and III base oils. Apparently the Group III is added as a 'correction fluid' to the Group II so that the base oil can meet the SM/GF-4 spec requirements.

On the other hand, companies like ChevronTexaco (ISOSYN) and SOPUS (Pennzoil's Purebase) rely on Group II+ base oils that don't need the Group III to meet the requirements.

Either way the requirements are met...so is there anything really 'better' about the 'synthetic blends' compared to the ChevronTexaco or SOPUS offerings who can't use the 'syn blend' label?

My guess is not. They all seem to be very good oils...What do you think?

 

[speedtc]

Motorcraft 5w20 is showing excellent used oil analysis. I have heard from a few companies that all 5w20's are synthetic blends even if it's not promoted as synthetic blends. 5w30's on the other hand i don't know.

 

[Ken2]

All the oils mentioned so far are excellent. What really counts is the performance, not details about the ingredients. If one shows better used oil analysis you your engine, that't the one for you. I'd be happy with any of the oils mentioned.

We don't know if CP mainly used the syn blend as a marketing tool, or as a correct fluid for low-spec base oil, or if their distribution deal with the Korean supplier of the Group III they use gives the the lowest total cost to meet GF-4. Whatever, it is good stuff...as are Chevron & Pennz.


Ken

 

[Matt89]

Ken2;

That's what I was trying to say., not as good as you though.

After some more searching (should have done before I posted) I realize that the 5W-20 grades of Chevron and SOPUS may have Group III also.

Sorry if my post was stupid and/or ignorant

 

[GoldenRod]

"We don't know if CP mainly used the syn blend as a marketing tool, or as a correct fluid for low-spec base oil, or if their distribution deal with the Korean supplier of the Group III they use gives the the lowest total cost to meet GF-4. Whatever, it is good stuff...as are Chevron & Pennz."
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They got oil in Korea?

 

[Blue99]

S-Oil Corporation, Onsan, Korea operates one of the largest base oil plants in the world.

The Group III base oils are produced using a catalyst technology(MSDW) developed by ExxonMobil and the same as recently used to upgrade the Motiva Port Arthur, TX base oils plant.

As Ken explained, ConocoPhillips is the agent for S-Oil Group III base oils, here, in the U.S.

 

[Ray H]

"They got oil in Korea?"

GoldenRod, Korea imports petroleum from the middle east to refine for home use and resale abroad. Sure a good thing the U.S. and Europe don't have to import petroleum, huh? Otherwise we'd be at the pricing mercy of five sheiks and a mullah for petroleum-derived products such as gasoline and motor oil! Can you even begin to imagine the dislocations in supply and pricing of motor oil and gasoline if we hadn't been totally petroleum self-sufficient when Katrina hit?

 

[Johnny]

Matt99: Your post are NEVER stupid and/or ignorant.

 

[Matt89]

Hey, I do what I can with what little I have to work with here

By the way, I've got 2 crankcases filled with Pennzoil 5W-20 right now. So far so good - could become a regular habit