The Science of Motor Oil Petroleum vs. Synthetic Petroleum vs. Synthetic The 3,000 mile oil change; The 3,000 mile oil change; Fact or Fiction

Presentation Overview The history of motor oil The history of motor oil Functions of a motor oil Functions of a motor oil What’s in it? What’s in it? What happens before it goes in the bottle? What happens before it goes in the bottle? Petroleum oil Petroleum oil Synthetic oil Synthetic oil Specialty oils, oil additives, and drain intervals Specialty oils, oil additives, and drain intervals

History of Motor Oil Lubrication dates back to Egyptian times Lubrication dates back to Egyptian times The first motor oils arrived around 1900 The first motor oils arrived around 1900 In 1972 Amsoil started selling the first API rated 100% synthetic motor oil for internal combustion engines In 1972 Amsoil started selling the first API rated 100% synthetic motor oil for internal combustion engines Tribology is the science and technology of friction, lubrication, and wear Tribology is the science and technology of friction, lubrication, and wear

Functions of Motor Oil Lubricate Lubricate Increases efficiency, slows wear Increases efficiency, slows wear Cool Cool Antifreeze only cools the upper engine Antifreeze only cools the upper engine Corrosion Protection Corrosion Protection Stop/hinder oxidation & acid build up Stop/hinder oxidation & acid build up Clean Clean Stop deposit formation & hold particles in suspension Stop deposit formation & hold particles in suspension

What's in it? Basestocks ~ % Basestocks ~ % Petroleum Petroleum “Synthetic” “Synthetic” Chemical additives ~ % Chemical additives ~ % Improve viscosity characteristics Improve viscosity characteristics Pour point depressants Pour point depressants Viscosity Index (VI) improvers Viscosity Index (VI) improvers Maintain lubricant stability Maintain lubricant stability Detergents and Dispersants Detergents and Dispersants Anti-foam and Anti-wear agents Anti-foam and Anti-wear agents Oxidation and Corrosion inhibitors Oxidation and Corrosion inhibitors

Petroleum Oil - How is it made? Crude oil must be refined (API Groups I- III) Crude oil must be refined (API Groups I- III) Atmospheric Distilation – low boiling point components are removed Atmospheric Distilation – low boiling point components are removed Vacuum Distillation – basestocks are separated into various viscosity ranges Vacuum Distillation – basestocks are separated into various viscosity ranges Solvent Extraction – removal of tar, resins, and aromatic compunds Solvent Extraction – removal of tar, resins, and aromatic compunds Dewaxing – basestock is cooled solvent is added and wax crystals are filtered Dewaxing – basestock is cooled solvent is added and wax crystals are filtered

Petroleum Oil - How is it made? (con’t) Hydrofinishing or Hydrotreating* - removal of sulfur, High temperature and pressure with catalyst Hydrofinishing or Hydrotreating* - removal of sulfur, High temperature and pressure with catalyst Converts aromatics into useable non-aromatics Converts aromatics into useable non-aromatics Works with or in place of solvent extraction Works with or in place of solvent extraction Hydrocracking** - changes structure of basestock molecules Hydrocracking** - changes structure of basestock molecules PSEUDO-SYNTHETIC (some Group II & III) PSEUDO-SYNTHETIC (some Group II & III)

Synthetic Oil - How is it made? Designed to be better (API Groups some III, all IV & some V) Designed to be better (API Groups some III, all IV & some V) Three main types of synthetic basestocks Three main types of synthetic basestocks Polyalphaolefins (PAO’s) Polyalphaolefins (PAO’s) Most common Most common Diesters Polyolesters Polyolesters 1-Hexene; and example of and alpha-olefin

Pour Point Depressants Pour point is the lowest temperature at which an oil is observed to flow Precipitated wax crystals stick together and cause the oil to gel Precipitated wax crystals stick together and cause the oil to gel Most commonly branched-chain polymeric additives that co-precipitate with the wax crystals and prevent them from agglomerating

Viscosity Index (VI) Improvers polymeric additives that are more soluble in oil at high temperature than at low temperature. Expand or stretch at high temperatures, decreasing the effects of thinning Expand or stretch at high temperatures, decreasing the effects of thinning

Detergents & Dispersants Main objectives are to: Main objectives are to: prevent deposits on hot surfaces neutralize corrosive oxidation products and other contaminants they suspend insoluble oxidation products and debris in the oil

Anti-Foam & Anti-Wear Agents Anti-foaming agents Anti-foaming agents lower the surface tension thereby breaking the foam Anti-wear agents react at rubbing metal sites creating a very tough Anti-wear agents react at rubbing metal sites creating a very tough wear-resisting boundary lubricating films ZDDP (Zinc Dialkyl DithioPhosphate) EP additives

Oxidation & Corrosion Inhibitors Oxidation is a chain reaction caused by heat that forms free radicals Oxidation is a chain reaction caused by heat that forms free radicals Three main groups of additives that stop the chain reaction Three main groups of additives that stop the chain reaction Free radical scavengers Free radical scavengers Hydroperoxide decomposers Hydroperoxide decomposers Metal deactivators and corrosion inhibitors Metal deactivators and corrosion inhibitors Corrosion Inhibitors form a thin layer of protection over metal surfaces Corrosion Inhibitors form a thin layer of protection over metal surfaces

Industry Recognized Advantages of Synthetics Improved viscosity at low temperatures Improved viscosity at low temperatures Better high temperature performance Better high temperature performance Decreased oil consumption Decreased oil consumption Reduced friction and engine wear Reduced friction and engine wear Improved fuel consumption through better engine lubrication Improved fuel consumption through better engine lubrication Resistance to oil sludge problems Resistance to oil sludge problems Crude oil doesn't have to be used for the production of the lubricants Crude oil doesn't have to be used for the production of the lubricants Some synthetic motor oil producers offer extended intervals between oil changes (extended drain intervals) Some synthetic motor oil producers offer extended intervals between oil changes (extended drain intervals) Reduction of environmental impact (due to lower oil consumption) Reduction of environmental impact (due to lower oil consumption)

Oil Drain Intervals Since the dawn of time….. Since the dawn of time….. Is this still necessary? Is this still necessary? Europe has maintained an average drain interval of around 10,000 miles for decades Europe has maintained an average drain interval of around 10,000 miles for decades Automobile manufacturers recommending mile oil changes Automobile manufacturers recommending mile oil changes GM’s oil change algorithms GM’s oil change algorithms All with high quality petroleum basestocks All with high quality petroleum basestocks Benefits increase DRAMATICALLY with use of synthetic Benefits increase DRAMATICALLY with use of synthetic The 3000 mile oil change!

HOWEVER… Oil industry & mechanics still push for the waste of resources with the 3000 mile oil change Oil industry & mechanics still push for the waste of resources with the 3000 mile oil change September 2006 issue of Oil & Lube Magazine ran and article titled “Mechanics Veto Extending Oil Changes” September 2006 issue of Oil & Lube Magazine ran and article titled “Mechanics Veto Extending Oil Changes” WHY?? WHY??

Specialty Oils & Oil Additives Specialty oils Specialty oils Semi-Synthetic Semi-Synthetic High mileage High mileage 4x4, SUV 4x4, SUV High Horsepower High Horsepower Marketing BS (OH! This bottle is shiny!) Marketing BS (OH! This bottle is shiny!) Oil additives Oil additives Slick 50 Slick 50 Dura Lube Dura Lube Both use Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE Both use Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE

References Lubrication and Lubricants, James R. Dickey, Lubricants Consultant boos.a01/pdf_fs.html Lubrication and Lubricants, James R. Dickey, Lubricants Consultant boos.a01/pdf_fs.html boos.a01/pdf_fs.html boos.a01/pdf_fs.html - The Motor Oil Bible - The Motor Oil Bible /features/mech_veto.htm 06/features/mech_veto.htm 06/features/mech_veto.htm 06/features/mech_veto.htm guide.html guide.html guide.html guide.html vlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/ html vlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/ html vlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/ html vlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/ html