Tooslick;
I think you are on the right track with your answer. The GF-4 specs are "doable", but not with a group I base stock.
There may be some truth to the old boys' Club API.
The oil companies have spent billions on group II and III refining capabilities, and supply has outpaced demand for the more expensive product.
Solution:
1. Lower the additive levels and the evaporative losses which causes oil consumption and cat-con damage.
2. Make that quality of lubricant the new bench-mark and warranty requirement for new vehicles, 05 and later.
3. Call that new engine oil SM/GF-4, likely a II+ III blend and charge more.
4. The auto manufactures get a "synthetic", the oil companies sell their group IIIs.
5. The consumer pays more for the lubricant and saves at the fuel pumps.
6. Raising the lubricant's viscosity to prevent oil consumption is not an option as that band-aid approach hurts fleet fuel efficiency.
7. When and if oil consumption is eliminated with this approach, engine oil additive levels may raised in the future if needed.
8. The top-guns at Club API profit from base oil sales to smaller oil companies and the private label industry.
I think you are on the right track with your answer. The GF-4 specs are "doable", but not with a group I base stock.
There may be some truth to the old boys' Club API.
The oil companies have spent billions on group II and III refining capabilities, and supply has outpaced demand for the more expensive product.
Solution:
1. Lower the additive levels and the evaporative losses which causes oil consumption and cat-con damage.
2. Make that quality of lubricant the new bench-mark and warranty requirement for new vehicles, 05 and later.
3. Call that new engine oil SM/GF-4, likely a II+ III blend and charge more.
4. The auto manufactures get a "synthetic", the oil companies sell their group IIIs.
5. The consumer pays more for the lubricant and saves at the fuel pumps.
6. Raising the lubricant's viscosity to prevent oil consumption is not an option as that band-aid approach hurts fleet fuel efficiency.
7. When and if oil consumption is eliminated with this approach, engine oil additive levels may raised in the future if needed.
8. The top-guns at Club API profit from base oil sales to smaller oil companies and the private label industry.