What's so special about gear oil that it's 70 bucks a gallon?

[83LowRider]

I posted the link/info due to the conversation turning to synthetics so frequently.

[clare]

Don't know about the USA - but generally we get the same product in Canada - and anything advertized as synthetic IS synthetic - but there are several ways to synthesize a lubricant - including from feed-stocks derived from petroleum - such as natural gas. If the molecules are broken down into base components, and then blended and reacted to produce a lubricating oil - the resulting oil IS synthetic

- whether the base feedstock is petroleum, natural gas, vegetable oil, or any other source. There ARE specific types of "synthetics" that some nerds and motorheads consider to be "more synthetic" than others.

- and some of them are NOT COMPATIBLE with some others, or with petroleum based oils - which in MY books makes the "unsuitable" for normal use - even if the "nerds" consider them superior.(Diesters vs PolyEsters vs polyalphaolefin vs alkylated benzenes vs phosphate esters,

Some are "group IV", some atr "group V" and some are "Group III" - with the "Group III" being the most controvercial as they are 100% petroleum sourced - with the feedstocks cracked from crude.

Many of the "nerds" consider only "Group IV" PAO oils to be "genuine synthetic" - and PAO oils have long been implicated in seal shrinkage and oil leakage. Diester and Polyester based oils are generally unsuitable for automotive and engine use -used in refrigeration oils, compressor oils, some greases, and jet engine lubrication. They are also implicated in seal incompatability. Phosphate esrhers do not mix or get along well with petroleum oils and are hard on most seals as well. Basically restricted to specific hydraulic uses. The poly-alkane Glycols also do not play well with othewrs - particularly petroleum based lubricants,and are hard on seals and finishes - used in hydraulics, compressors, refrigeration, and greases

"Generally" a GOOD synthetic oil for automotive use will be a combination of several synthetics to produce the required characteristics.

[83LowRider]

Good info... thanks!

[Scott Dorsey]

Yes, your labelling laws much more closely follow the EU laws than the US ones in that regard.

--scott