Synthetic oils

[Mr Brooksy]

Hi guys,

I have been doing some digging recently regarding oils and trying to find a synthetic oil that I can get my hands on over here in Asia that is 10W40. Weirdly, this is an unusual grade of oil here. Most people use this grade for motorbikes, not cars. Even though there are huge amounts of cars here that recommend this grade. Everyone puts in lighter weighted oil in the hope of getting more fuel economy (had a weird conversation with a Toyota chief mechanic last year suggesting I should put 5W20 or 5W40 in the car even though Toyota say it should run on 10W40 as I'll get better economy and power) . But thats not the point really...

Anyway, as I said I've been doing some research and stumbled on a car forum, saying that amongst others Castrol Edge Synthetic is a category 3 oil not a category 4 full synthetic oil, as in Europe they can not advertise that it as totally synthetic oil. As it doesn't meet the Category 4 standards.

Are we being fed misinformation is Oz? Or is this another case of forum opinion not reflecting fact?

I have read though that bobistheoilguy forum is one of the most reliable sources of oil advice about. But I'm not much into talking about oils all that much.

Link to the forum page is: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...&Number=852896

Thoughts people? Anyone in the know?

[FPV GTHO]

I wouldnt really call it either. Theres 5 different categories of base oil, we call Grp3-5 synthetic and i believe Europe call Grp4-5 synthetic.

I'd have no problem running the 5w40 oil in place of the 10w40 though

[Blue Shadow]

I reckon Mainlube, (sponsor) would be the people to answer that one

[bangm001]

What about running a 5W-40 in a scenario where ford have recommended a 15W-40 (ie in our typhoons?).

[Silver Ghia]

Maybe this from Bobistheoilguy may help.

Full synthetic oils do not need to be only Group IV (PAO's) and Group V (Ester). In fact as mentioned in the link, it cannot be only PAO, other additives need to be blended in.

Penrite 10Tenths range is Group IV and V. As is Mobil 1. HPR5, 10 etc range is not but is still classified as full synthetic, as is Castrol Edge (except the FPV semi synthetic for 5.0 engines of course).

As mentioned in the Bobistheoilguy link above, the lines are blurry.

[sprintman1]

Most synthetic oils now are Group III. PAO far less common than before.