How Synthetic Oil Is Made

[R1jake]

I will agree, yes blending facility. But blending to Amsoil's developed formulas. I know some folks write certain things to demean and denigrate - maybe not the case here, but not at all like mixing food on a plate. Not really even the same as someone cooking or following a recipe on a box purchased on the shelf when slight differences only matter to some with refined taste buds. I mean how many people run series of tests, hold a retain, etc during and after cooking? Example: Amsoil buys from multiple suppliers, and buys certain of the same base oil (for example ) from multiple suppliers - to specification. Specifications have tolerances. If say the blend in question uses three base oils, well the result is not always EXACTLY the same, so in process adds are necessary.

Companion video.

I don’t agree with the blending facility being they formulate these blends and are apparently very good at what they do.they also spend thousands of hours testing and developing them. With that said I mostly use Mobil 1 because it’s convenient and priced very well in the 5 quart jugs. I do have a couple of things I use amsoil products in and have always been happy with the Amsoil product. If Amsoil was Walmarts cheapest house blend everyone would be using it talking about how great it is and stocking up on it with their coupons and factory rebates.

 

[MolaKule]

...And most do not make the additives they use.

A blender has the choice of developing his own additive chemistry (expensive since he has to have his own in house Phd's or consultants) or purchasing it from a commercial additive company (less costly but not cheap for large runs of lubricants).

So your favorite brand likely contains the same additives from the same source as the one you hate the most!

Not really. Additive manufacturing is a global enterprise so a blender can pick and choose.

Even my favorite German companies buy base stock and additives from non-German sources. OMG!!!!!

And there are some good European additive manufacturing sources as well.

Most blenders acquire their base oils from outside sources since base oil production is a costly enterprise.

 

[MolaKule]

I don’t agree with the blending facility being they formulate these blends and are apparently very good at what they do. they also spend thousands of hours testing and developing them...

They do formulate their own blends. see post #22 above.

 

[MolaKule]

Thank you for confirming Amsoil doesn't make their own base stocks.

I don't recall Smitty's, Amsoil, Valvoline, Warren, Amalie and the like ever claiming they produce base oils.

 

[R1jake]

They do formulate their own blends. see post #22 above.

I worded that wrong, I don’t agree with them being just a blend facility. They are far more than just a blending facility is what I’m trying to say.

 

[CleanSump]

Molakule, you're arguing against something that was never stated and misconstruing what was stated.

 

[MolaKule]

Molakule, you're arguing against something that was never stated and misconstruing what was stated.

In post #22 I was merely stating the facts. I misconstrued nothing.

 

[bbhero]

I don't recall Smitty's, Amsoil, Valvoline, Warren, Amalie and the like ever claiming they produce base oils.

Exactly Dr Molakule. .

Smitty's, Amalie, Warren, Calumet, Valvoline etc all bring in their base oils on rail or by barge.

 

[BLND1]

And over hundreds of thousands of miles you won’t see a lick of difference for the price.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

A better title, IMHO, would have been, "Blending and Packaging of Synthetic Oils."

Still, a lot of technology and hardware goes into the Blending and Quality Control of the finished product.

Still more interesting would have been a tour of their Chemical and Testing Lab.

I saw this Saturday night and was going to post the link. A Very tidy facility indeed.
There was a comment from Banks that he will be posting a Lab video soon. I would be interested in that.
But I have a feeling they will gloss over the finer points - Ken

 

[ARCOgraphite]

And over hundreds of thousands of miles you won’t see a lick of difference for the price.

I wish I owned a car I could keep to 100K. But I have felt differences with real synthetic oils - back when you could get then at
the parts store and Walmart. Mainly Improved and maintenance of cylinder balance and better fuel quality tolerance.

 

[ctechbob]

Second episode of the Amsoil Tour

 

[Tom NJ]

Exactly Dr Molakule. .

Smitty's, Amalie, Warren, Calumet, Valvoline etc all bring in their base oils on rail or by barge.

Calumet does refine mineral base oils and manufactures polyol esters.

 

[buster]

FWIW.

"All of the brands, whether big or small, rely on the additive companies to do the majority of the testing and formula development. Driven has been the sole exception to that because of our heritage with Joe Gibbs racing, where we worked with Lubrizol and Afton to develop custom formulas from components rather than market ready packages.

The only differentiator is that the very large companies, like Mobil or Castrol, can afford to work with the additive companies to create custom tweaks to the market ready packages specifically for them. Their volumes enable that level of development, but it is typically done on the additive company side, and not on the oil brand’s side."

 

[CarfriendXX]

@Pablo
I have concerns about the Signature Series and compatibility with seals and the protection of the engine in general, as these oils do not have official approvals. Can you say for sure that these oils are recommended for every vehicle that requires such approvals?

 

[Pablo]

@Pablo
I have concerns about the Signature Series and compatibility with seals and the protection of the engine in general, as these oils do not have official approvals. Can you say for sure that these oils are recommended for every vehicle that requires such approvals?

Perhaps you can be a bit more specific. What approvals are you writing about?

Sig series doesn't harm seals, and it would be a bit looney on Amsoil's part if they designed, and tested a motor oil that would not be compatible with all known engine seals..

Amsoil tests the oils - actually more than required, sometime 2X-3X the required testing. Absolutely if Amsoil recommends an oil for an application they have tested it and stand behind it.

 

[CarfriendXX]

My concern is that amsoil does not meet "real" specifications but only recommends them. Therefore, I am unsure whether I can use these oils, as I also do not quite understand why amsoil does not carry out official tests on these Signature Series engine oils. Can you tell me why this is the case? So amsoil is always recommended and one of the best oils of Bonn additiveisation and wear protection?

 

[Astro14]

My concern is that amsoil does not meet "real" specifications but only recommends them. Therefore, I am unsure whether I can use these oils, as I also do not quite understand why amsoil does not carry out official tests on these Signature Series engine oils. Can you tell me why this is the case? So amsoil is always recommended and one of the best oils of Bonn additiveisation and wear protection?

In what application? What specification? AMSOIL oils have met many specifications.

Are you talking about approvals? Where an oil maker submits their oil (and their money) to get an approval from an outside entity?

If you’re talking about choosing oil for a Honda, I don’t think you need to worry.

 

[Pablo]

I also do not quite understand why amsoil does not carry out official tests on these Signature Series engine oils.

What do you mean by "official tests"? Of course Amsoil tests, and they test beyond the requirements.

Again - specifically what "tests" are you talking about? Bonn additiveisation???

 

[CarfriendXX]

I have something to consider because the oil is not tested or released according to the ACEA, API or ILSAC. I don't understand why the XL series has approvals, however, the Signature Series does not have. This simply unsettles you... In terms of analysis, the Signature Series is one of the best oils on the market for me, especially since it also has protection against LSPi. I am considering using the 10W30 SIgnature Series API SP in my Honda K20C1, as I only drive in summer and the noack and LSPi protection are particularly good for direct injections. Can you take away my concerns a little