FAQ - GC ( German Castrol )

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Hi,
Dave - Believe me, the Approved lubricant "issue" is alive and well here in Australia. Just ask at any Euro Dealership and all heavy diesel engine manufacturer's HO - Cummins, CAT, DD, MAN Mercedes and etc. It's been this way for a considerable number of years

It is not an "issue" though - just use the manufacturer's Approved lubricant! I think we (Importers/Dealers) are better accustomed to this than some other countries though

The new range of Castrol "Edge" synthetic lubricants available here have an excellent reputation

Regards
Doug
 
Doug,

not 100% sure that is the case (or at least the way that I meant).

Just checked both my Lexus and Porsche Owners Manual and it specifies "Toyota Motor Oil or equivalent" for the Lexus and Oils meeting certain API standards for my Porsche. Oils meeting API standards are mentioned for the Lexus however it does not specify that "Starburst" or other symbols for API must appear on the oil containers (same with the Porsche - admittedly the Porsche is an older one).

I actually took the time over the weekend to check out oil containers from a few different brands and was unable to locate these symbols on any containers (bar 1 - ecoMax from United Oil).

It is pretty hard to expect a normal Consumer to wade through a myriad of different symbols on oil. The courts have already ruled that having your vehicle serviced by someone other than your Approved Dealer cannot void your warranty.
 
Been a while since I've posted and a longer while since I used anything except GC. I did however find different cars run better on GC than others. So I desided to change the filter out at 5000 miles on all my cars and add 2/3 ozs. of Schaffers oil additive and top off with 5 ozs. Redline 10/30. Oil pressure improved the engines seemed quieter and some trips gave the best gas mileage I've seen yet.I plan on doing a UOA at 10000 miles just to compare with no additive OCI.Have you tried this formula or anything like it.
 
LubeOiler,
If you're asking me, I don't use additives nor do I mix oils. I'm not against additives, but I'd rather spend money on professional consultation. And mixing just isn't my thing...
You can call me a purist
55.gif
 
I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and quite a few places have stated that GC is hydro cracked just like American Castrol. Does anyone have a MSDS to prove this either way? Or are we all just sheep believing it is good?
 
Originally Posted By: CMB
I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and quite a few places have stated that GC is hydro cracked just like American Castrol. Does anyone have a MSDS to prove this either way? Or are we all just sheep believing it is good?


I talked to a castrol NA rep, and a local distributor yesterday trying to find out whether they still import german castrol or whether it's old stocks being sold. They told me it is exactly the same as the US made syntec.

No idea how much truth is in this, just repeating what I was told. Reading the GC FAQ, the reasons to stay away from the US made syntec seem to be based on the fact that it's an unknown so I'd be really interested to find out if they are one and the same.
 
Originally Posted By: JAG
Any 0W oil meeting MB 229.5 has to be mostly or all Group 4 rather than Group 3 due to volatility limit of 10% and it being a 0W oil. Source: an additive company.


From https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/is-mobil1-0w-40-a-group-iv-oil.86273/

GC meets a lot of tough specifications that the other American Castrol's don't. While not exactly scientific proof, some of those MB/VW, etc certifications are pretty demanding. I think that alone should prove its definately not the same oil as regular Syntec.

"Regular" Syntec grades such as 5w30 are pretty "normal" looking, at least in the specs they meet. 5w40 is the only other oil they make that meets the same/similar specifications.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: wolfestone
Originally Posted By: CMB
I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and quite a few places have stated that GC is hydro cracked just like American Castrol. Does anyone have a MSDS to prove this either way? Or are we all just sheep believing it is good?


I talked to a castrol NA rep, and a local distributor yesterday trying to find out whether they still import german castrol or whether it's old stocks being sold. They told me it is exactly the same as the US made syntec.

No idea how much truth is in this, just repeating what I was told. Reading the GC FAQ, the reasons to stay away from the US made syntec seem to be based on the fact that it's an unknown so I'd be really interested to find out if they are one and the same.


So they are pulling a M1 switch-a-roo? Is that why GC went on hiatus for a couple of months?

Is there any way to confirm this? VOA perhaps?
 
Last edited:
GC didn't go on any hiatus? Not sure why places just didn't stock it, but I was able to find M07 batches. As stated the USA 0w30 has completely different specs than the German Made 0w30. Not the same oil.

see replies to posted link above.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: wolfestone
Originally Posted By: CMB
I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and quite a few places have stated that GC is hydro cracked just like American Castrol. Does anyone have a MSDS to prove this either way? Or are we all just sheep believing it is good?


I talked to a castrol NA rep, and a local distributor yesterday trying to find out whether they still import german castrol or whether it's old stocks being sold. They told me it is exactly the same as the US made syntec.

No idea how much truth is in this, just repeating what I was told. Reading the GC FAQ, the reasons to stay away from the US made syntec seem to be based on the fact that it's an unknown so I'd be really interested to find out if they are one and the same.

It says Made in Germany on the back so it has to be imported?
 
So we still have no proof, only speculation? I do understand that European automotive oil standards are more strict then the United States are. However, IMHO just going off that still doesn't tell me (or any of us) anything.

Someone on here has to have the know how (or know someone who does) to test the oils chemical make up, right? Then this could be put do bed once and for all...
 
Originally Posted By: cosynthetics
Originally Posted By: wolfestone
Originally Posted By: CMB
I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and quite a few places have stated that GC is hydro cracked just like American Castrol. Does anyone have a MSDS to prove this either way? Or are we all just sheep believing it is good?


I talked to a castrol NA rep, and a local distributor yesterday trying to find out whether they still import german castrol or whether it's old stocks being sold. They told me it is exactly the same as the US made syntec.

No idea how much truth is in this, just repeating what I was told. Reading the GC FAQ, the reasons to stay away from the US made syntec seem to be based on the fact that it's an unknown so I'd be really interested to find out if they are one and the same.

It says Made in Germany on the back so it has to be imported?


Yes, but that doesn't mean anything....
 
CMB, the answer was provided 6 posts up.
But PAO content is not a good reason to choose GC. Doing so is like marrying a woman only because she has a nice rack.
 
Originally Posted By: JAG
CMB, the answer was provided 6 posts up.
But PAO content is not a good reason to choose GC. Doing so is like marrying a woman only because she has a nice rack.


Seems like a good enough reason to me...lmao! j/k

All kidding aside though, it is a good reason to me. I run amsoil because I know it is 100% synthetic. I would like to try GC but I wont even bother unless I know it is on the same playing field as my current oil...
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: CMB
Originally Posted By: JAG
CMB, the answer was provided 6 posts up.
But PAO content is not a good reason to choose GC. Doing so is like marrying a woman only because she has a nice rack.


Seems like a good enough reason to me...lmao! j/k


LOL@ Jag.
 
The "value proposition" is always poor logic.

WHat is better, a group IV with API SA additives, or a group III with API SL/SM adds?

What is better, a $3 add pack with a $2 basestock, or a $3 basestock with a $2 add pack?

The key is product balance, first and foremost. Not if the basestock is something that you perceive to be more valuable.

Look at schaeffer's; their synthetic oil is a mix of group III and IV. Yet it is top notch.

Everything in engineering and technology is a tradeoff. You sacrifice one thing for another. Something that a group II+ or III may be adept at, a group IV may not. Heck, at one point there was discussion that mobil delvac 1300s kept a small fraction of group I oil because it helped with solving deposits and cleaning better then other 'better' basestocks. This was a tradeoff and matter of balance.

So, point is, for the millionth time, that the "value proposition" based upon basestock group being the prime metric of what "level" an oil is, is worthless. Its the balance of chemistries and how everything works together to maximize performance overall.

JMH
 
Originally Posted By: CMB
Originally Posted By: cosynthetics
Originally Posted By: wolfestone
Originally Posted By: CMB
I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and quite a few places have stated that GC is hydro cracked just like American Castrol. Does anyone have a MSDS to prove this either way? Or are we all just sheep believing it is good?


I talked to a castrol NA rep, and a local distributor yesterday trying to find out whether they still import german castrol or whether it's old stocks being sold. They told me it is exactly the same as the US made syntec.

No idea how much truth is in this, just repeating what I was told. Reading the GC FAQ, the reasons to stay away from the US made syntec seem to be based on the fact that it's an unknown so I'd be really interested to find out if they are one and the same.

It says Made in Germany on the back so it has to be imported?


Yes, but that doesn't mean anything....


It would mean it's the German Formula.
 
I think several people have said exactly what needed to be said, what diff would it make what group or groups ( as mentioned before, some oils use more than one for a) effective chemistry or b) cost effectiveness or c) both of the aforementioned ) a certain oil is, this thread being about GC, as long as your application shows good results in the forms of UOA's and no problems with your application on this oil, well then so be it. As I understand it, the reason certain oils use multiple basestocks is because certain additives "carry" better in particular base. This wouldn't explain why some oils are claimed to be 100% Synthetic do so well would it? As you would think they would have the same issues with carrying certain additives, either they have found ways to make it work, or another reason is they use diff additive chemistry to make their product work. I would think that another logical step on this forum is that if you were interested in a certain oil, that looking up UOA's on that oil for a like or similar application could give some minor useful information as to how it holds up for certain conditions. That being said there are lots of other variables to consider as well. I am by no means an expert...but just my .02, I have been interested in trying GC cause I've heard that it does well in the VQ engines from Nissan, as well as hearing just what a great oil it tends to be in general.
 
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