Mixing Pennzoil to save some $$$

[scoobie]

I would agree, except that the climate here is COLD, and the cold properties of the oil are basically what determine the engine life here. My Frankenmix gives me the absolute lowest pour point and best cold viscosity, while still being at the very thinnest end of
a 30W cSt of 9.4. If I lived in Southeast, I would use ONLY DINO.

 

[SilverC6]

Check out the Redline site for the video on how synthetics work....

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_motoroil.asp?productID=45&synthFlash=1&subcatID=14

Now imagine adding an oil with dissimilar characteristics to the mix.


Amsoil says:

"Mixing AMSOIL motor oils with other oils, however, will shorten the oil life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended drain intervals where oils have been mixed."


I would use the dino in the summer and synthetic in the winter.

That way you'll get the protection you're looking for.

 

[Eddie]

Mobil 1 says the same thing SilverC6

 

[scoobie]

Of course the MANUFACTURER is going to say that, and they wouldn't be telling us that because they make more profit - NOOOO, of course not. UOA of synth, semi synth, dino, and frankenmix gives all essentially the same findings. semi synth only has about 20% synthetic, but they charge like it's 50%, so that's why i make my own frankenmix. my engine likes oil even when it's cold, so that's why i read the spec sheet, read the forums, and make up my own mind how to spend my money the best: frankenmix mc 5w20 with ST synth 5w30 gives my Scoobie the old it needs, when it needs it, and still has the hot viscosity to protect it properly. In the summer, all it needs is dino, but since i like to pamper it, it's frankenmix st synth/dino 5w30.

 

[Drew2000]

So if the mfgs. don't want you to mix oils, what the heck are the syn. "blends" that they offer? I can't imagine that they are creating some custom oils just for blending. At the valve room they probably mix some precentage of 5w30 syn with the 5w30 dino, and off to the bottling line.

I bet the factory blend doesn't come close to a 50/50 mix though.


Drew

 

[SilverC6]

Originally Posted By: Drew2000
So if the mfgs. don't want you to mix oils, what the heck are the syn. "blends" that they offer? I can't imagine that they are creating some custom oils just for blending. At the valve room they probably mix some precentage of 5w30 syn with the 5w30 dino, and off to the bottling line.

I bet the factory blend doesn't come close to a 50/50 mix though.


Drew


I'm sure its not that simple.

A lubrication engineer "designed" the synthetic blend oil.

It's an important market niche for the oil companies.

They aren't going to leave the blending to some monkey with a valve in his hand.

 

[scoobie]

How sure are you? Because they charge as much as they do? And because you're supposed to "get what you pay for?". I think it's more like :
A lubrication engineer mixed the two and discovered improved properties. They tinkered with it to discover how little of the synth they could get away with, and still get some favourable pour point properties - notice that they never actually admit how much synth they actually use - and then sent it to the accountant and marketing to maximize profit (I don't be grudge them a profit, but these people have it down to an art, because their job is to give the CEO a HUGE paycheque, and their stock holders HUGE dividends - so we, the oil heads, are the "market" that needs to be "developed" and "exploited") And be sure it is not a monkey with a valve - each drop one way or the other affects the bottom line But also notice: all synthetic oil manufacturers state right on the bottle: this oil is compatible with and can be mixed with any conventional oil. This is also an important "niche" - the frankenmix wizards!!! And there is no warning statement like: your oil will not perform as well if mixed Because: we wouldn't buy it, and we would buy the brand that is totally compatible. so we, the consumer, have trapped them into a box they can't get out of - they are stuck supplying us with an oil that we are free to frankenmix to our hearts content. My guess is that 1/3 synthetic is all the semi synthetic contains.

 

[Drew2000]

Originally Posted By: SilverC6


They aren't going to leave the blending to some monkey with a valve in his hand.


Ok.....So all workers running the day-to-day production of a complex refinery or chemical plant are PHD-educated, tie-wearing engineers?

I guess a refinery or plant worker with 20 years on the job is too stupid to follow something as "complicated" as blending instructions.

FWIW, many companies stay in business due to the real-world industry experience and smarts of their blue-collar workers in spite of the best efforts of frequently out of touch book-smart "experts" who often bring "*** were you thinking?" ideas to the floor.

Drew

 

[02zx9r]

Originally Posted By: scoobie
How sure are you? Because they charge as much as they do? And because you're supposed to "get what you pay for?". I think it's more like :
A lubrication engineer mixed the two and discovered improved properties. They tinkered with it to discover how little of the synth they could get away with, and still get some favourable pour point properties - notice that they never actually admit how much synth they actually use - and then sent it to the accountant and marketing to maximize profit (I don't be grudge them a profit, but these people have it down to an art, because their job is to give the CEO a HUGE paycheque, and their stock holders HUGE dividends - so we, the oil heads, are the "market" that needs to be "developed" and "exploited") And be sure it is not a monkey with a valve - each drop one way or the other affects the bottom line But also notice: all synthetic oil manufacturers state right on the bottle: this oil is compatible with and can be mixed with any conventional oil. This is also an important "niche" - the frankenmix wizards!!! And there is no warning statement like: your oil will not perform as well if mixed Because: we wouldn't buy it, and we would buy the brand that is totally compatible. so we, the consumer, have trapped them into a box they can't get out of - they are stuck supplying us with an oil that we are free to frankenmix to our hearts content. My guess is that 1/3 synthetic is all the semi synthetic contains.

 

[SilverC6]

If you were going to make millions of dollars in a market niche, wouldn't you take care to produce a product to meet your specifications?

People everyday use great care on things that are much smaller in value.

My line about a monkey with a valve was an exaggeration to make a point. Fine, long-time employess in most industries know very clearly how to improve the quality of the products they produce.

What is sometimes difficult is to offer an improved product while staying profitable.