My Super Tech Observation

[paulo57509]

I've noticed Super Tech (Super Tech) oils getting some discussion lately and I just thought I'd throw this out.

I've been using Super Tech 10w30 (dino, of course) for an Auto Rx treatment on the '92 Lumina. I'm currntly on my second rinse phase. Back to Super Tech....

When pouring it onto the cranckcase, I noticed that Super Tech has such a light color. In direct sunlight, it looks almost clear.

From what I understand, oil coloration in virgin oils is due mainly to the additives; base stocks of certain oils being almost clear nowadays.

Could this nice, light almost clear color of Super Tech be from it not having a bunch of additives, or not as much (percentage-wise) as other brand name oils?

This is not a knock on Super Tech, I might just keep on using it after I'm done with the Auto Rx treatment. I might just start using this in all my vehicles.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Molakule once posted a Question on the most expensive motor oil component in the questionsforum.

It was dye.

 

[TomJones76]

I recently put ALL of my used oil analysis on a spreadsheet.
The oil with the highest evident UOA levels was actually an SL formulation of Supertech 5W30.
After 8000 miles, the additives read as follows:
Calcium 2696
Phosphorous 1026
Zinc 1214
Moly 10

I know those aren't the highest levels you've ever seen, but it beat out Mobil's GM Dealer mix, Kendall bulk 5W30, Pennzoil Conventional's SL 5W20 and Exxon Superflo SL 5W20.

I think the only time you should CONSIDER paying attention to oil color is if you're comparing the oil to another sample run in the same engine with the EXACT same formulation, down to the lot number. Which means, with Supertech, you'd have to get the oil all at the same time at the same store, and even then there'd be some questions.

 

[Ray H]

My understanding is that conventional SM oils in viscosity 10w30 and lighter viscosity grades are all comprised of Group II base oils at the very least, and often blends of Group II/GroupII+ or Group II/GroupIII base oils. All of these hydrocracked base oils are water-white clear. Conventional SL oils often carried some percentage of Group I base oil which definitely imparts color of its own due to its lower refinement level. I'll speculate that the color of SM finished oils in the common viscosity grades is due to the addtitive package, but that the lighter coloration you've noticed is the result of a combination of abandoning Group I base oils and the changes in the additive package necessitated by the reduction in ZDDP levels.

 

[Schism]

Valvoline or some other brand(might have been motorcraft) effectively said on the back of their bottle that their oil was better(more pure) because it was clear/er.
Supertech is cheap because they only put in what is needed, dye isn't really needed, and no advertising is done. I think you can get oil that has a slightly better or equal additive base to supertech for less when using rebates. But if you don't want the hassle, and want the cheapest, supertech will perform just fine in most cases. I intend to use 4qts of it with 2qts of PP or Mobil 1 in my moms van for 7.5-8.5k changes.

[ February 23, 2006, 04:34 AM: Message edited by: Schism ]