What makes SuperTech Synthetic "cheap"

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
it's less expensive than your name brand oil because you're not paying for a bunch of ridiculous advertising.
this, I don't know how people overlook this factor.


All oils are not created equal.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
it's less expensive than your name brand oil because you're not paying for a bunch of ridiculous advertising.
this, I don't know how people overlook this factor.


All oils are not created equal.


True, all oils are not equal, but there is no way to know which one is better as no oil company publishes their complete set of API/European standard tests, which pretty much says, for all we know, Super Tech might be the best on the market unless proven to not be the best.

 

[NMBurb02]

As far as I know, the only specs that ST synthetic meets are API SN and ILSAC GF-5. No dexos1, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or other more stringent specs. So I assume that an oil that exceeds those specs is "better" and I am willing to pay a premium. 700% premium? No, because that would equate to about $140 for a 5 quart jug and the only place I know of where that price might actually be seen is Australia, where they don't have $17.47 ST to begin with, so that is like comparing apples to guavas. But a 20% premium ($21) for a name brand that meets those specs, especially ones called for in my owner's manual? Sure! I'd even pay a 40% premium (gasp!) and plop down $25 for an oil that is of a viscosity that best suits my needs. That is another factor that has not yet been mentioned: ST synthetic has a much smaller product offering than other brands, which helps drive down costs.

 

[JustinH]

Supertech oil USED to be cheap.

It was under 10 bucks for a 5 quart jug for years.

The price on it has crept up, and it is right on par with Quaker State Green Bottle, or Mobil Super.

I have no use for it at its current pricepoint.

Especially if the big names are putting out rebates, it is a no brainer for regular car oil.

Even for full synthetic, the price spread is 2 dollars between ST and Quakerstate Full Synthetic.

 

[Leo99]

Generic drugs cost less than their brand-name counterparts. Are they just as good as the brand-name drugs?

 

[edwardh1]

Originally Posted By: zach1900
Wal-Mart sells a ton of everything =volume. And $18 isn't much cheaper than the big name guys.


you wonder why ST is not even cheaper, it is just 2 dollars or so cheaper than the name brands

 

[Rolla07]

Impossible to prove one is superior. What are we basing it on? Take 2 oils, both completely different specs and compare them. Besides feel what scientific test can be administered to prove superiority. You know why I stick to Mobil and Pennzoil? Reputation. All the marketing costs and ads surely have done the job. They have a great reputation. Is it worth spending 5$more per jug for reputation? I dunno, but it makes me feel better and I have other things Id rather spend time worrying about in life. Would my car know the difference between ST and M1 or PP? Doubt it. I couldnt prove it so clearly beyond feel which is largely subjective, no proof its better or worse. Are all oils the same? Nope, but different doesnt always equal inferior. Can we say valvoline is superior or worse than Pennzoil because they put sodium in their add pack?

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
As far as I know, the only specs that ST synthetic meets are API SN and ILSAC GF-5. No dexos1, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or other more stringent specs. So I assume that an oil that exceeds those specs is "better" and I am willing to pay a premium. ....


SuperTech synthetic meets dexos1, and its the toughest spec we have over a basic SN-GF5 oil, although it would be nice to see ACEA A1/B1 on top, but with dexos1 not really necessary. (You have to get the thicker HTHS euro-spec oils to get better than a dexos1.)

Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
Just checked the GM Dexos 1 site - Supertech 5W20 and 5W30 are now Dexos 1 approved .
At like $17.46 for a 5 qrt. jug at WM - what's not to like ? ... Even if it JUST meets the Dexos 1 spec. , it still has to be an improved formulation over SN and GF5 I would believe ...Your thoughts ?
* Nothing on the jugs that indicates any specs met - except SN , GF5 and API starburst seal ...Not sure if older jugs on the shelf OR Supertech just doesn't list the specs it meets on the jug except the bare minimum requirements (stated above) .

 

[njohnson]

Mag 1 is another company that shows test results on their website.

http://mag1.com/TestResults.aspx

 

[53' Stude]

I don't mind Super Tech stuff at all. Just when I can get Magnatec synblend for like $18 that's hard to beat. Or my ole' standby: QSGB

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
As far as I know, the only specs that ST synthetic meets are API SN and ILSAC GF-5. No dexos1, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or other more stringent specs. So I assume that an oil that exceeds those specs is "better" and I am willing to pay a premium. ....


SuperTech synthetic meets dexos1, and its the toughest spec we have over a basic SN-GF5 oil, although it would be nice to see ACEA A1/B1 on top, but with dexos1 not really necessary. (You have to get the thicker HTHS euro-spec oils to get better than a dexos1.)

Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
Just checked the GM Dexos 1 site - Supertech 5W20 and 5W30 are now Dexos 1 approved .
At like $17.46 for a 5 qrt. jug at WM - what's not to like ? ... Even if it JUST meets the Dexos 1 spec. , it still has to be an improved formulation over SN and GF5 I would believe ...Your thoughts ?
* Nothing on the jugs that indicates any specs met - except SN , GF5 and API starburst seal ...Not sure if older jugs on the shelf OR Supertech just doesn't list the specs it meets on the jug except the bare minimum requirements (stated above) .

My bad. I guess I should have done a bit more research before pounding the keys. I checked the Walmart app on my phone and ST synthetic 5W-30 didn't mention dexos1, which I assumed it would have if that was the case.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Impossible to prove one is superior. What are we basing it on? Take 2 oils, both completely different specs and compare them. Besides feel what scientific test can be administered to prove superiority. You know why I stick to Mobil and Pennzoil? Reputation. All the marketing costs and ads surely have done the job. They have a great reputation. Is it worth spending 5$more per jug for reputation? I dunno, but it makes me feel better and I have other things Id rather spend time worrying about in life. Would my car know the difference between ST and M1 or PP? Doubt it. I couldnt prove it so clearly beyond feel which is largely subjective, no proof its better or worse. Are all oils the same? Nope, but different doesnt always equal inferior. Can we say valvoline is superior or worse than Pennzoil because they put sodium in their add pack?

I am no motor oil expert (the thought is comical, in fact), but from what I do know, there are scientific tests that can be used to determine if one oil is superior to another in specific applications. Would you run an API SH oil in a 2015 model year turbocharged vehicle that calls for an SN oil? I wouldn't. The differences between those specs are based on required results for various scientific tests. Things like NOACK, viscosity index, shear stability, TBN (initial and retention), etc., can be used to make judgememts between oils, but again, it is all application-specific, hence the guidelines for asking on this forum about which oil should be chosen.

 

[SilverC6]

Bottom line is that there are few engine oils out there that are "bad".

ST synthetic is fine.

Warren is the supplier in my area and the same oil is available in a number of house brand labeled bottles.

But as previously pointed out, if you watch the sales and rebates, you can run top tier oil like M1 and PP for less money.

ST is never on sale at Wallyworld.

 

[53' Stude]

It is on "rollback" here in western PA at $10.27 a 5quart jug. You're right it's NEVER on sale though.

I'll take Smittys at $7.99 a 5quart jug at k mart plus using gift cards and member points=FREE for me

 

[Y_K]

Doesn't SOPUS claim that they are supreme not only in deposit tests, but also in a wear test?
Based on Wear Sequence IVA wear test using 5W-30 - says on my bottles..

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Originally Posted By: Y_K
Doesn't SOPUS claim that they are supreme not only in deposit tests, but also in a wear test?
Based on Wear Sequence IVA wear test using 5W-30 - says on my bottles..

On piston deposits, Pennzoil Ultra and Platinum only claim they're better than regular Mobil1 and Valvoline Synpower, that's all. (They could have same/similar deposits with other flavors/brands of synthetics for all we know.)
As for the wear claims on your bottle, they only claim to exceed the SN specs for wear, really just marketing hyperbole, since every motor oil has to exceed SN ... to be an "SN" oil.

 

[SatinSilver]

May have been mentioned but VERY little marketing dollars spent on the product. Companies can spend anywhere from 20-50% of net profit on marketing in competitive industries like retail, consumer products and pharmaceuticals.

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
As for the wear claims on your bottle, they only claim to exceed the SN specs for wear, really just marketing hyperbole, since every motor oil has to exceed SN ... to be an "SN" oil.

Nope. That's not what on the bottle.. Reading comprehension and attention span let you down.
I haven't seen the results, I haven't even looked for them, but that is not what they claim on the bottle.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Most of the "proof" lies in performance in various tests that goes well beyond the rather basic requirements of API SN.
Things like NOACK, MRV, CCV as well as things that are harder to measure like shearing and TBN retention.
These are all strongly influenced by the basestock blend used.
There's also purity to consider.
IOW, how much unwanted metal content does one find in the virgin oil?
This is mainly a matter of the cleanliness of the blending and bottling lines as well as how the basestock was transported and stored prior to use.
To say that the only difference between something like Red Line or M1 and ST is in the marketing is just plain silly.
One question that does nag a bit is whether these inexpensive store brand Grp IIIs offer any advantage over the best Grp IIs.
Are you really ahead paying a bit more for a store brand synthetic than a jug or QSGB or PYB?
I really don't know.


Lots of things to consider ... but no one has any proof, all marketing, unless there is proof.
Silly? only thing silly is marketing, unless it is proven. Then the question would beg, is it worth 700% more or just 20% more?


So you consider the published results of an oil's performance in industry standard ASTM tests, most of which are used in determining whether an oil meets a given SAE grade and the minimums for a given API spec to be mere marketing proving nothing?
That is silly.

 

[Rex]

http://www.pqiamerica.com/March2013PCMO/supertech.htm

I suppose a manufacturer adds an additional additive or two, given their oil more of "something" which justifies the cost increase.