Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Whether you have questions pertaining to motor oil performance, synthetic oils or how to recycle your used oil, you can get the answers you’re looking for below. 

1. Is it ok to switch motor oil weights, for example, from a 5W-20 to a 10W-30?

It depends. Some vehicle manufacturers provide a range of recommended motor oil viscosity grades based on the outside temperature in which the car is driven. Other manufacturers recommend the use of only one motor oil viscosity grade. For best engine performance, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

2. Is it ok to use 5W-30 in a car if the owner's manual calls for 5W-20?

Using a heavier grade than recommended may cause decrease in fuel economy, higher engine loads and eventually shortened engine life. Using a lighter grade than recommended may result in excessive mechanical wear and reduced engine life. For maximum engine performance, follow the recommended motor oil viscosity and maintenance schedule provided in your vehicle's owner's manual.

3. What does the "w" in a grade of motor oil stand for?

The "w" in motor oil stands for winter. The first number in the oil classification refers to a cold weather viscosity. The lower this number is, the less viscous your oil will be at low temperatures. For example, a 5W- motor oil will flow better at lower temperatures than a 15W- motor oil. The higher number, following the “w” refers to hot weather viscosity, or how fluid your oil is at hot temperatures. The higher the number, the thicker the oil at a specified temperature.

4. Is thicker oil better?

In some circumstances, thicker oil can be used to compensate for increased bearing clearances (gaps between bearing and rotating shaft) that have developed over the years. A large change in bearing clearances can result in poorer lubrication. For best performance always follow the recommendations for motor oil viscosity in your vehicle's owner's manual.

5. When does it make sense to use straight weight oil (SAE30) versus a multigrade oil (5W-30)?

Straight weight oil is never recommended for use in a system that requires a multi-viscosity oil. Straight weight oils are generally recommended for smaller engines or older vehicles that were made before multi-viscosity oils were produced.

6. Is switching types of motor oil (conventional, synthetic, etc.) harmful to my vehicle's engine?

Conventional, synthetic blend, synthetic and high mileage motor oils are compatible and will not harm your vehicle's engine. For maximum engine performance, follow the motor oil type recommendation provided in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

7. Is it true that older cars must only use conventional oil?

No.

8. Can motor oil significantly improve horsepower?

Yes. Motor oil formulas with friction modifiers and additives help to improve horsepower. Lower viscosity (lighter) oils can improve horsepower providing that they separate moving parts and maintain engine durability. The optimum oil viscosity for a given engine is specified by the automotive manufacturer.

9. When motor oil is better for “severe” conditions, what are "severe" conditions?

Severe conditions include stop-and-go driving, consistent idling, pulling, towing, dusty environment or high or low ambient temperatures.

10. If I don't drive in severe conditions can I change my oil less often?

Your owner's manual may provide different oil change intervals for both regular driving and severe driving.

11. Is it a good idea to let your car warm up (idle)?

Most modern cars don’t require idling time before driving.

12. Can I improve motor oil performance in my vehicle by using aftermarket additives?

Generally no. Most vehicle manufacturers do not endorse using aftermarket additives. Certain additives may temporarily improve performance of older engines. (We recommend you check with the vehicle manufacturer before using any aftermarket additive.)

13. Are all additives the same?

No. Additives contain different formulations that affect certain parts of the engine differently than other additives.

14. Does motor oil expire? If not, how long does motor oil generally last?

When stored under optimal conditions, the product remains stable for an extended period of time. It can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your car’s owner's manual. If the rating is still current, we advise you shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.

15. Does motor oil ever wear out or does it just get dirty?

Yes, motor oil does break down. Oil additives are consumed and combustion by products build up in the oil. Changing your motor oil on a consistent basis removes combustion byproducts and replenishes the additives.

16. Does my vehicle's oil filter need to be changed with every oil change?

Recommends you replace the oil filter with every oil change, as this will eliminate any risk of contaminants trapped in the oil filter (e.g., dirt) from re-entering the new oil. Always be sure to follow the oil change frequency recommendations in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and to use an oil filter meeting automotive manufacturers’ guidelines: e.g., USCAR.

17. Are conventional motor oils natural, unprocessed products?

The base oils used in conventional motor oils do come from petroleum, but they have gone through extensive refining processes. These base oils are compounded with various additives, which provide important properties such as antiwear, friction reduction and long life.

18. How do I properly dispose of my used motor oil?

Usually, you can recycle your used motor oil at any auto parts store. Ensure you store your used motor oil in a tightly sealed bottle or container.

Posted by: GREENLube

Read More

Lubricant Viscosity Index

The viscosity of oil changes with temperature, therefore multigrade oils were developed to provide protection across a range of operating temperatures. The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) scale shows the viscosity of oil at both hot and cold temperatures. That’s why the viscosity grade on the oil bottle is made up of two numbers.

1. LOW TEMPERATURES

The first number followed by the letter W describes the viscosity of oil at low temperatures (the W stands for winter). The lower the number the thinner the oil. A thinner oil at low temperatures is good because it flows more easily and is therefore able to protect the engine when it is first started from cold. If oil is too thick when cold, it will not circulate freely and will reduce fuel economy.

2. HIGH TEMPERATURES

The second number describes how thick the oil is at the engine’s normal operating temperature. The higher the second number, the thicker the oil. If it's too thin when hot, it may not protect effectively. If it's too thick, you lose efficiency.

OIL SPECIFICATIONS

Using the correct oil keeps an engine running smoothly; using the wrong oil could damage the engine, burn more fuel, increase emissions and even invalidate a car’s warranty. Oil specifications define what type of engine a particular oil is suitable for and its performance against a range of criteria, for example: cleanliness, heat resistance, wear protection, strength. Specifications are regularly updated to keep pace with advances in engine technology. Here’s a look at the four key specification systems:

API (AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE) SPECIFICATIONS
The API specifications are a two-letter rating beginning with:
'S' for Service (petrol)
'C' for Commercial (diesel)

The second letter designates the oil’s quality standard, beginning with the letter ‘A’. The further along the alphabet, the higher the oil’s quality. So SL performs better than SA. Some oils meet standards for both petrol and diesel engines and will be marked with a dual specification, for example SL/CF.

ILSAC (INTERNATIONAL LUBRICANTS STANDARDIZATION AND APPROVAL COMMITTEE) GOVERNS INTERNATIONAL OIL SPECIFICATIONS, BUT MAINLY FROM A US PERSPECTIVE

ILSAC is made up of US and Japanese automotive manufacturers’ associations, and representatives from key US and European OEMs. ILSAC specifications often share API requirements, but are additionally focused on improving vehicle fuel economy performance and emission system durability.

The latest specification is ILSAC GF-5. The higher the number, the more recent, and higher performance the specification.

ACEA (THE ASSOCIATION DES CONSTRUCTEURS EUROPÉENS D'AUTOMOBILES) GOVERNS OIL SPECIFICATIONS FOR EUROPEAN CARS

ACEA sets the standards for European engine lubricant specification. All oils have to pass a sequence of tests, which are updated on a regular basis as legislation and other demands change. ACEA specifications cover both passenger and commercial engines and are split into four major categories:

A = Petrol engines
B = Diesel engines
C = Engines needing oils that are catalyst compatible
E = Heavy duty diesel engines

OEM (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER) SPECIFICATIONS ARE DEVELOPED BY THE CAR MANUFACTURERS

As well as the industry standard specifications, most OEMs have their own specific set of requirements for their cars' engines and these are defined in OEM specifications. To prove that a product meets an OEM specification, oil must pass additional OEM tests. Most OEMs publish lists of all the oils they have approved, so the consumer knows which products are suitable for their vehicle.

These approvals are especially important for cars under warranty.

Posted by: GREENLube Read More

Oil Additive and Its Function

Oil additives are chemical compounds that improve the lubricant performance of base oil (or oil "base stock"). The manufacturer of many different oils can utilize the same base stock for each formulation and can choose different additives for each specific application. Additives comprise up to 5% by weight of some oils.

Nearly all commercial motor oils contain additives, whether the oils are synthetic or petroleum based. Essentially, only the American Petroleum Institute (API) Service SA motor oils have no additives, and they are therefore incapable of protecting modern engines. The choice of additives is determined by the application, e.g. the oil for a diesel engine with direct injection in a pickup truck (API Service CJ-4) has different additives than the oil used in a small gasoline-powered outboard motor on a boat (2-cycle engine oil).

Types of additives

Oil additives are vital for the proper lubrication and prolonged use of motor oil in modern internal combustion engines. Without many of these, the oil would become contaminated, break down, leak out, or not properly protect engine parts at all operating temperatures. Just as important are additives for oils used inside gearboxes, automatic transmissions, and bearings. Some of the most important additives include those used for viscosity and lubricity, contaminant control, for the control of chemical breakdown, and for seal conditioning. Some additives permit lubricants to perform better under severe conditions, such as extreme pressures and temperatures and high levels of contamination.

1. Controlling chemical breakdown

• Detergent additives, are used to clean and neutralize oil impurities which would normally cause deposits (oil sludge) on vital engine parts. Typical detergents are magnesium sulfonates.
• Corrosion or rust inhibiting additives retard the oxidation of metal inside an engine.
• Antioxidant additives retard the degradation of the stock oil by oxidation. Typical additives are organic amines and phenols.
• Metal deactivators create a film on metal surfaces to prevent the metal from causing the oil to be oxidized.

2. For viscosity

• Viscosity modifiers make an oil's viscosity higher at elevated temperatures, improving its viscosity index (VI). This combats the tendency of the oil to become thin at high temperature. The advantage of using less viscous oil with a VI improver is that it will have improved low temperature fluidity as well as being viscous enough to lubricate at operating temperature. Most multi-grade oils have viscosity modifiers. Some synthetic oils are engineered to meet multi-grade specifications without them. Viscosity modifiers are often plastic polymers.
• Pour point depressants improve the oil's ability to flow at lower temperatures.

3. For lubricity

• Friction modifiers or friction reducers, like molybdenum disulfide, are used for increasing fuel economy by reducing friction between moving parts. Friction modifiers alter the lubricity of the base oil. Whale oil was used historically.
• Extreme pressure agents bond to metal surfaces, keeping them from touching even at high pressure.
• Antiwear additives or wear inhibiting additives cause a film to surround metal parts, helping to keep them separated. Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or zinc dithiophosphates are typically used.
• Wear metals from friction are unintentional oil additives, but most large metal particles and impurities are removed in situ using either magnets or oil filters. Tribology is the science that studies how materials wear.

4. For contaminant control

• Dispersants keep contaminants (e.g. soot) suspended in the oil to prevent them from coagulating.
• Anti-foam agents (defoamants) inhibit the production of air bubbles and foam in the oil which can cause a loss of lubrication, pitting, and corrosion where entrained air and combustion gases contact metal surfaces.
• Antimisting agents prevent the atomization of the oil. Typical antimisting agents are silicones.
• Wax crystal modifiers are dewaxing aids that improve the ability of oil filters to separate wax from oil. This type of additive has applications in the refining and transport of oil, but not for lubricant formulation.

Posted by: GREENLube

Read More

Benefit of Synthetic Engine Oil

Most readers know that synthetic motor oils typically perform better than conventional motor oils in providing protection for your vehicle, but they might not know why. What’s the real difference between synthetic and conventional oil?

Synthetic oil is not only refined but also distilled, purified and broken down into its basic molecules. This process not only removes more impurities from the crude oil but also enables individual molecules in the oil to be tailored to the demands of modern engines. These customized molecules provide higher levels of protection and performance than conventional oils. But the synthetic base oil is only half the story. The correct blend additives must go into the mix to create the oil.

Our Green Lubricant synthetic motor oils has a unique, balanced formulation to keep your engine running like new. So what are the benefits of synthetic oil? Synthetics typically outperform conventional motor oils in providing more protection for your vehicle. Here’s how all that chemistry translates to the real world.

• Keep your engine cleaner - As oil circulates through your engine it can pick up deposits. Over time, conventional oils can sometimes form sludge, which can reduce your engine's efficiency and, ultimately, reduce the life of your engine. It contain fewer impurities compared to conventional motor oils and can better resist the formation of sludge thereby preventing deposits from forming in your engine.
• Offer greater engine wear protection - Engine parts are in constant contact with each other. They’re also moving at high speeds. In the extreme environment of your engine, components can wear and break down. Your motor oil is the protective barrier between these components. As conventional oils break down, their ability to prevent engine wear diminishes. Green Lubricant synthetic oils, on the other hand, retain their wear protection properties for a much longer time, increasing engine life
• Flow better in low temperatures - When your car sits for awhile (let’s say overnight) the oil settles. But, when you fire up the ignition, it begins flowing through critical engine parts to protect against friction. With conventional oils, it takes more time until they are able to flow smoothly through the engine. During the cold winter months, or if you live in an extremely cold environment, this flow process takes even longer. Green Lubricant synthetic oils, however, are engineered to flow quickly even at low temperatures, and they start protecting your engine right after you start your car.
• Protect better at high temperatures - When running, engines are hot. Really, really hot. Over time, the high temperatures in your engine can cause conventional motor oils to break down or evaporate exposing your engine to wear. Green Lubricant synthetic oils are engineered to resist these high temperatures, which is especially important if you’re driving in hot climates.
• Protect critical turbocharger parts - To meet consumer demand, automakers are building cars with smaller engines (for greater fuel efficiency) but adding turbochargers (to boost power). We already mentioned how engines run at high temperatures, which can break down conventional oils faster, but today’s turbocharged engines are even more aggressive. The shaft inside a turbocharger can spin upwards of 200,000 revolutions per minute, so it’s critical that your motor oil can get to that shaft and lubricate it properly very quickly. Conventional oils can break down faster under these conditions and leave deposits on turbocharger components, which can lead to failure. Green Lubricant synthetic oils can protect these components much better than conventional oils, keeping them operating at peak performance and boosting your engine’s power.

Posted by: GREENLube

Read More

Common Synthetic Base Oil

Polyalphaolefins have been identified as the most common synthetic base oils. They are used in nearly every type of equipment with the exception of compressors that have high discharge pressures, where they have been known to leave deposits. PAOs are miscible with mineral oils and have good demulsibility characteristics.


Polyalkylene glycol oils are used in some refrigeration compressor systems as well as brake fluids, worm gear oils and gas turbine oils. They are unique in that they don’t form deposits as the oil breaks down. PAGs also have a natural detergency and clean up varnish left behind by other fluids. If the base fluid is made by the polymerization of ethylene oxide, the resulting fluid is water soluble and is often used in water-emulsion hydraulic fluids.


Di-esters are frequently used in compressor applications and are often paired with PAOs to help with additive solubility. Di-esters also tend to be hygroscopic in nature, which means they absorb moisture readily. They have a high viscosity index as well as a low pour point, so these oils will remain fluid at low temperatures.




Silicone base oils have the highest viscosity indexes and some of the highest levels of thermal and oxidative stability. These bases are used primarily in high heat applications and some brake fluids. They are typically very costly. In addition, the oxidation by products are abrasive and can lead to added machine wear. Silicones are also chemically inert, which makes it difficult to blend additives into them and still have them remain in solution.


Overall, synthetic oils can be tremendous assets to any lubrication program, but they must be matched to the machinery’s needs to get the optimum benefit from them. When making the transition from mineral base fluids to a synthetic base, be sure to flush the system to minimize any residual compatibility issues that may remain. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the synthetic base you are using, you will be well on your way to achieving all of the advantages associated with these fluids.

Posted by: GREENLube

Read More

Base Oils and Its Group

Base Oil is the name given to lubrication grade oils initially produced from refining crude oil (mineral base oil) or through chemical synthesis (synthetic base oil). Base oil is typically defined as oil with a boiling point range between 550 and 1050 F, consisting of hydrocarbons with 18 to 40 carbon atoms. This oil can be either paraffinic or napthenic in nature depending on the chemical structure of the molecules.

In general, only 1% to 2% of a barrel of crude oil is suitable for refining into base oil. The majority of the barrel is used to produce gasoline and other hydrocarbons. (please see figure E-1 at left). Lubricating oil is produced by "Blenders and Compounders" who combine base oil with 1% to 20% application-specific chemical additives, which enhance the performance of the base oil. The "compounded" Lubricating oil is then packaged and sold to end users. (The table below lists some of the various types of additives used and their functions.)

The refiners, who manufacture and sell base oil, and the Blenders/Compounders, who manufacture and sell lubricating oil and are not always the same entities, although they can be. For example, Exxon is both a refiner and a Blender/Compounder since they manufacture both base oil lubricating oil. Most of the base oil they produce, they use. The amounts they don't use, they sell through large commodity markets to "Independent" Blenders and Compounders. These Blenders and Compounders are called "independent" because they do not produce their own base oil but rather buy it from a refiner.

Posted by: GREENLube Read More

Manufacturing Process of Lubricant

Lubricant oil is extracted from crude oil, which undergoes a preliminary purification process (sedimentation) before it is pumped into fractionating towers. A typical high-efficiency fractionating tower, 25 to 35 feet (7.6 to 10.6 meters) in diameter and up to 400 feet (122 meters) tall, is constructed of high grade steels to resist the corrosive compounds present in crude oils; inside, it is fitted with an ascending series of condensate collecting trays.

Within a tower, the thousands of hydrocarbons in crude oil are separated from each other by a process called fractional distillation. As the vapors rise up through the tower, the various fractions cool, condense, and return to liquid form at different rates determined by their respective boiling points (the lower the boiling point of the fraction, the higher it rises before condensing). Natural gas reaches its boiling point first, followed by gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, lubricants, and tars.

Sedimentation

• The crude oil is transported from the oil well to the refinery by pipeline or tanker ship. At the refinery, the oil undergoes sedimentation to remove any water and solid contaminants, such as sand and rock, that maybe suspended in it. During this process, the crude is pumped into large holding tanks, where the water and oil are allowed to separate and the contaminants settle out of the oil.

    

Fractionating

• Next, the crude oil is heated to about 700 degrees Fahrenheit (371 degrees Celsius). At this temperature it breaks down into a mixture of hot vapor and liquid that is then pumped into the bottom of the first of two fractionating towers. Here, the hot hydrocarbon vapors float upward. As they cool, they condense and are collected in different trays installed at different levels in the tower. In this tower, normal atmospheric pressure is maintained continuously, and about 80 percent of the crude oil vaporizes.
• The remaining 20 percent of the oil is then reheated and pumped into a second tower, wherein vacuum pressure lowers the residual oil's boiling point so that it can be made to vaporize at a lower temperature. The heavier compounds with higher boiling points, such as tar and the inorganic compounds, remain behind for further processing.

Filtering and solvent extraction

• After further processing to remove unwanted compounds, the lube oil that has been collected in the two fractionating towers is passed through several ultrafine filters, which remove remaining impurities. Aromatics, one such contaminant, contain six-carbon rings that would affect the lube oil's viscosity if they weren't removed in a process called solvent extraction. Solvent extraction is possible because aromatics are more soluble in the solvent than the lube oil fraction is. When the lube oil is treated with the solvent, the aromatics dissolve; later, after the solvent has been removed, the aromatics can be recovered from it.

Additives, inspection, and packaging

• Finally, the oil is mixed with additives to give it the desired physical properties (such as the ability to withstand low temperatures). At this point, the lube oil is subjected to a variety of quality control tests that assess its viscosity, specific gravity, color, flash, and fire points. Oil that meets quality standards is then packaged for sale and distribution. 

Posted by: GREENLube

Read More