Why is Kirkland 15W-40 Semi-Synthetic?

[SupremePossum]

I see quite a lot of Diesel oil that is semi-synthetic

Why is that, when is seems every other oil is mostly full sythetic. Kirkland 5W-30 is full synthetic, yet the Diesel 15W-40 is a blend

Any ideas why?

 

[loneryder]

Probably cost as trucks need a lot of oil…gallons. That and the fact that semi synthetics have been shown to hold up well via years of use.

 

[userfriendly]

Most Diesel synthetic engine oils are 5W40, 0W40, 0W30 or 5W30.
CK-4 synthetic 15w40 and 10W30s are starting to become more common.
Back in the day Delvac 15W50 was a thing.
I have a couple of pails of Duron 10w40, a grade more common in Europe to use up one of these years.

 

[dnewton3]

Why is Kirkland 15W-40 Semi-Synthetic?

Marketing choices for the consumer. Pretty much everything in life comes with multiple choices in a product line-up .... primarily based on a cost vs. performance ROI. ("performance" being a loose term here for the sake of the conversation; indicating some manner of service factor, content, capability, etc).

Lexus offers three levels of the ES350; Base, Luxury and Ultra Luxury
McDonalds offers a slew of hamburgers; single, double, with or without cheese, etc.
Crest offers several different toothpaste options.
Rotella offers T4, T5 and T6; Delo and Delvac are similar, as are other brands of HDEOs.

By the way ... Costco offers two different diesel oil options:
https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/kirkland-signature-synthetic-blend-sae-15w-40-heavy-duty-diesel-engine-oil,-1-gallon,-3-ct.product.2001195966.html
https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/kirkland-signature-sae-15w-40-heavy-duty-diesel-engine-oil,-1-gallon,-3-ct.product.100382223.html



Seriously? You don't understand marketing-tier strategy?

 

[tnt_motorsports]

my take is they are semi-synthetic with the "move" away from completely conventional oil. Mobil Delvac 1300 15w40 has been S-S for a while now.

 

[FowVay]

I believe that the mfgr's must use some form of a higher quality base oil in order to pass the CK-4/SN ratings. The specifications are becoming more stringent and plain old Group I base stock simply isn't up to the task. Some sort of hydroisomerized base fluid is being added to get the oils to pass minimum standards. Of course, the marketing team was just champing at the bit to throw those syn-blend letters across the box.

 

[Ruby]

I use Shell Rotella T6 5w40 in my 2011 Ram 3500, my 6.7 does well with it. I'm guessing the Kirkland 15w40 is a semi-blend is to keep it more affordable. The semi-blend oils have great benefits. Although I can run 15w40 at temperatures at zero and above or the 5w40 year round, I choose the 5w40 sticking with the Rotella T6. If I were running the 15w40, I would not have any issues with the Kirkland 15w40. I think it's a great buy and a quality oil.

 

[Nessism1]

I see quite a lot of Diesel oil that is semi-synthetic

Why is that, when is seems every other oil is mostly full sythetic. Kirkland 5W-30 is full synthetic, yet the Diesel 15W-40 is a blend

Any ideas why?

Most Kirkland passenger car oils (or maybe all) are made by Warren. The semi-synthetic diesel is made by Chevron. I'm not sure why Costco doesn't sell a full synthetic diesel, but it likely relates to meeting the required specs, at a low price, plus customer demand.

 

[fantastic]

I believe that the mfgr's must use some form of a higher quality base oil in order to pass the CK-4/SN ratings. The specifications are becoming more stringent and plain old Group I base stock simply isn't up to the task. Some sort of hydroisomerized base fluid is being added to get the oils to pass minimum standards. Of course, the marketing team was just champing at the bit to throw those syn-blend letters across the box.

That's my thoughts exactly. It's like Delo dumping their conventional marketing to put the Synthetic Blend on the bottle to adequately maintain and add approvals. Now, this is all at the heels of no standard for "semi-synthetic" but there are seemingly percentage practices among the oil industry.

 

[JavierH19]

For the most part it's because it's a 15w that meets some oem approvals. If it had to be a 10w then I don't imagine the base stock would be good enough but it could. No way a 5w-40 would be decent if it was made with a semi syn base.

 

[SupremePossum]

Marketing choices for the consumer. Pretty much everything in life comes with multiple choices in a product line-up .... primarily based on a cost vs. performance ROI. ("performance" being a loose term here for the sake of the conversation; indicating some manner of service factor, content, capability, etc).

Lexus offers three levels of the ES350; Base, Luxury and Ultra Luxury
McDonalds offers a slew of hamburgers; single, double, with or without cheese, etc.
Crest offers several different toothpaste options.
Rotella offers T4, T5 and T6; Delo and Delvac are similar, as are other brands of HDEOs.

By the way ... Costco offers two different diesel oil options:
https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/kirkland-signature-synthetic-blend-sae-15w-40-heavy-duty-diesel-engine-oil,-1-gallon,-3-ct.product.2001195966.html
https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/kirkland-signature-sae-15w-40-heavy-duty-diesel-engine-oil,-1-gallon,-3-ct.product.100382223.html



Seriously? You don't understand marketing-tier strategy?

No actually, Costco does not offer two different oil options

See I can format text too...

The Non syn blend is outgoing, not even available for delivery for me, and was heavily marked down and death starred in stores

Thank you for pointing out there is different types of toothpaste.