Havoline [Synthetic]???

[wavinwayne]

Recently, while reading the back of a bottle of Havoline Synthetic 5w30 API SL, I noticed the following statement: "formulated using 100% synthetic base stocks".

The common theme here is that this is a Group III oil. Can this oil really be all Group III "synthetic", & still make the above claim? My gut says yes. What say the BITOGers?

 

[blupupher]

Yes, it can (and does)

 

[Ray H]

The issue was settled around 1999 (or so) when Mobil challenged Castrol in binding arbitration for calling Syntec a full synthetic despite using Group III severely hydroprocessed base stocks. After taking testimony from industry specialists, the arbitrator agreed with Castrol's position and the rabid PAO boosters on this and other forums have been livid ever since. Mobil, meanwhile, has been crying all the way to the bank since the company is one of the largest producers of Group III base oils* in addition to its considerable PAO production. Regardless of individual personal preference, at the corporate level, this was all about BUCK$, not performance. Would Mobil have liked to have won the dispute? Of course it would - the company would have had an advertising bonanza to gloat over for years. But the outcome was still win-win for Mobil any way you cut it. I wish I could "lose" a dispute with the IRS the way Mobil lost their synthetic naming convention dispute to Castrol...

*Chevron (Havoline's corporate parent) is also a significant Group III base oil producer. The company has facilities for Group III production near Richmond, CA.

 

[Blue99]

Chevron promotes their fully hydrocracked Grp III's as synthetic. Chevron even has an explanation, at the base oils section of the website, as to why their UCBO Grp III's qualify as synthetics.

BTW, I like Chevron as a corporate entity and the website certainly has a wealth of information!