General thoughts on synthetic blends?

[DaveInLA]

I tried to do a search, but couldn't find anything definitive.

Are blends such as Castrol Syntec really any better than plain old dyno oils? I hear about people using regular oil and full synthetics, hardly anybody uses blends... is it sort of the ******* of oils? Not good enough to justify the cost over regular oil, and not good enough for people who want synthetic?

 

[Patman]

I used to think that blends were the biggest ripoff out there, but after seeing Schaeffer Oil perform in UOAs on here, there is no doubt in my mind that a well made blend can work very well and not cost a bundle. And Syntec Blend has shown some very good reports on here too.

 

[radiometer]

Schaeffer Blend works very well for me in my vehicles. I changed over to it from Mobil 1 because it provided lower wear metals in used oil. Of course, as Bob has taught us, the additive package is (as he says) more important than the base oil. I find no reason to doubt him and his experience. I think Schaeffers is a really good deal.

 

[csandste]

In real world testing, most blends perform better than you'd think given the fact that they're only supposed to be 10% synthetic. Whether you're better off mixing 3 quarts of dino and one of synthetic and doing your own thing I can't say.

 

[DaveInLA]

Pardon my ignorance or inexperience...

I've never heard of Schaeffer oils... are they sold in regular stores like AutoZone, Pep Boys, Wal Mart, etc.?

Or are they a higher end brand like Red Line, Amsoil, etc.?

 

[JohnBrowning]

BLends are 10%-25% synthetic usualy. Very few companys will tell yo how much of each base stock is in their product. CAM2 is very good about discloseing raw material. Cam2 blends are 20% PAO and 80% Group II.

I have not seen a UOA of their product but at least you know what you are getting.

Before blends were available we used to mix Regular and Syntrhetic oils 50/50. This gave us enough protection to run on the AUtobahn at WOT but was still cheap enough to change regularly. This practice is frowned on by oil purists/zelots today! Not haveing seen a UOA I can not say one way or the other!

[ March 15, 2004, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: JohnBrowning ]

 

[RTexasF]

My objection, as to those on the shelf at Wally World, is that the cost is about the same as a true synthetic. If the price were more realistic it would be a bargain.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

quote:

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Originally posted by RTexasF:
My objection, as to those on the shelf at Wally World, is that the cost is about the same as a true synthetic. If the price were more realistic it would be a bargain.

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I'm not sure I agree that the costs run about the same. At two different Wal-Marts: Castrol Syntec Blend is $10.96/5qt jug. M1 is $19.96 and Castrol "full" synth are $20.96. So the blends check-in at about 50% of the full synth cost.

 

[mikemc]

I think it all depends on how long you plan on keeping a vehicle. If you trade or sell before the vehicle reaches 150K, it makes no sense to use anything but a good dino. For longer term ownership, a more expensive oil may be a good idea.

 

[Ken2]

quote:

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Originally posted by DaveInLA:
Pardon my ignorance or inexperience...

I've never heard of Schaeffer oils... are they sold in regular stores like AutoZone, Pep Boys, Wal Mart, etc.?

Or are they a higher end brand like Red Line, Amsoil, etc.?

---

Schaeffer is mainly an industrial oil company...over 300 products...with some very good car and truck lubes. Their take is that by using top-quality petroleum plus top-quality synthetic they get almost equally good service as full synthetic at a lower cost per mile. Wear will be as low or lower than many synthetics due to the premium additive package and the oil life will be nearly as long as a full synthetic with lower cost because of the blend. I presently have 11,000 miles on
Schaeffer's 10W-30 with an excellent analysis at 10,018 miles. I'll test again at 12,500 miles.

Schaeffer products are usually sold by regional sales reps and in >$250 quantities. Tim Mills, who advertises on these pages, sells smaller quantities.


Ken