Bob & Mike---
Castrol "Syntex" has synthetic additives, but is not considered a synthetic oil
as is Mobil 1, Amsoil, or Redline. Although they have had no trouble adopting
synthetic pricing strategies.
Bob Palmer wrote:
> Michael,
>
> Larry has posted a good summary on the question of synthetic oil. As for
> additives like Prolong, Duralub, etc., you can fool some of the people some
> of the time, but . . .
>
> Check out these links:
>
> http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1999/9909/prolong.htm
>
> http://www.ftc.gov/os/1999/9911/prolongcmp.htm
>
> The best you can hope from adding these products to your engine is they
> don't do any harm.
>
> So, the answer to your question about Prolong is pretty clear cut; don't use
> it. On the other hand, the question of synthetic oils in general is a very
> complex one. I might add that, just like non-synthetics, not all synthetics
> are created equal. Mobil 1 is highly rated and I would also use Red Line or
> Castrol Syntex (which I have been using in my Tiger for five years now). I
> am sure there are others that are also good, but just because the oil is
> "synthetic" doesn't necessarily make it better. The structure of the oil
> itself and the additives are all factors. In general though, an engineered
> molecule is going to work better than the mix of molecules found in "dino
> oil" as Larry calls it, the refining process notwithstanding. You can search
> the Web and come up with a lot of information (some true, some false) on
> synthetics. Here's an example:
>
> http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/synth_oil.txt
>
> Note at the end of the article the section on oil filters. A few days ago I
> questioned whether an oil filter was really needed in normal engine
> operation. Subsequent discussion and consideration has convinced me that it
> is. I am not ready to leave my oil in for 25k miles, as is recommended for
> synthetics, but perhaps for 12k or 12 months, whichever comes first and a
> change of filter (filters in my case) with that too.
>
> Happy motoring,
>
> Bob
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