I was reading the Texaco Havoline bottle and it mentions Group II. The others do not have the group labelled, how can we find out about them?
How to tell oil base group?
- Thread starter gavinl
- Start date
- Status
Patman
Staff member
One way is by looking at the MSDS on the oil, another is to hang around on here where many people have memorized which oils come with what base oils!
All API-SL petroleum oils will be Group II or maybe with some GR-II+ base stock to meet these specs. I'm not aware of any oils made from GR-I base oils that can meet them. You might find GR-I blended in GR-III to yield the over-the-counter blends. Schaeffer blends GR-I and PAO for their blends.
Each group of base oils has some advantages and some disadvantages. I'd like to find an easy to understand reference of these points.
Ken
[ March 06, 2003, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
Each group of base oils has some advantages and some disadvantages. I'd like to find an easy to understand reference of these points.
Ken
[ March 06, 2003, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
Thanks for the info! I guess I'll have to go digging for MSDS on the web
I looked at the MSDS for Exxon Superflo 10W-30 but could not find the group type...anyone with an idea where to find it?
"All API-SL petroleum oils will be Group II or maybe with some GR-II+ base stock to meet these specs."
I thought Mobil Drive Clean was a group I with a heavy additive package. I also thought that group I had some advantages over group II, mainly greater detergency. I know the Mobil has about the worst specs of any dino oil but certainly, as indicated by its name, has great cleaning properties.
I thought Mobil Drive Clean was a group I with a heavy additive package. I also thought that group I had some advantages over group II, mainly greater detergency. I know the Mobil has about the worst specs of any dino oil but certainly, as indicated by its name, has great cleaning properties.
There may be some viscosities of some brands that have a majority of GR-I base. Here's what 76 (ConocoPhillips) says in a white paper:
"...the automakers opted for substantially reducing oil volatility limits from 22% maximum (by NOACK) to 15% maximum. Lower volatility means there is less potential for hydrocarbon contamination of emissions catalysts. It also means less oil consumption due to lower evaporative losses.
"In order to meet these stricter volatility limits, API SL/ILSAC GF-3 oils require the use of
higher quality base oils, especially for the lighter (and preferred) viscosity grades. SAE 5W-20 and SAE 5W-30 oils cannot be formulated with 100% Group I base oils because they will not meet the volatility limits; they require high percentages of Group II or Group II+ quality base oils. Depending on the basestock source, some Group II/Group I mixtures may qualify, while other formulations may require some Group III or Group IV base oil."
From 76
Ken
[ March 08, 2003, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
"...the automakers opted for substantially reducing oil volatility limits from 22% maximum (by NOACK) to 15% maximum. Lower volatility means there is less potential for hydrocarbon contamination of emissions catalysts. It also means less oil consumption due to lower evaporative losses.
"In order to meet these stricter volatility limits, API SL/ILSAC GF-3 oils require the use of
higher quality base oils, especially for the lighter (and preferred) viscosity grades. SAE 5W-20 and SAE 5W-30 oils cannot be formulated with 100% Group I base oils because they will not meet the volatility limits; they require high percentages of Group II or Group II+ quality base oils. Depending on the basestock source, some Group II/Group I mixtures may qualify, while other formulations may require some Group III or Group IV base oil."
From 76
Ken
[ March 08, 2003, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked