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Mon 17 Jan 2005 09:43

Class discuss - THe Growler

Here's a curved ball for the oily brigade, following recent postings on the subject.

We have read that "100% synthetic" is designed in laboratories by little men in white coats and is a major advance in lubrication technology (great fodder for the marketing chappies);

We have also read that "semi-synthetic" is, well, not exactly synthetic and not exactly dino oil, it's actually mineral, well sort of, plus a bit of synth and actually there's a court judgement which says it's OK to use the adjective "semi-synthetic", just in case anyone disagrees. Castrol even gets away with saying theirs is magnetic and sticks to things, despite science saying that's impossible. So that's all right then. Well, "semi" to me to be stretching the trade descriptions parameters a tad if 90% of the product is still good old dino. But let that one be. Marketing is like New Labour, it's anything it wants to be at the time and tomorrow's another day, we all know that.

Now then, Mobil 1 being the Holy Grail of synthetics, as we are led to believe by earnest young men in suits, why would I find today on the quart of 75w/90 gear oil (US import) I bought, a miniscule asterisk next to the "100% synthetic" claim, which when traced down to the bottom of the can, says "except for additive carrier oil" in 3 point type?

When is 100% not 100%? When it's automotive oil, it seems.

And I'm hearing echoes of my local Harley tech, who has always said it's not the oil that wears out but the additives. So what's so special?

This was really a present for the Hog preceding a planned 1200km ride up north next week, to replace the regular Harley brand 75w/90 semi-synth oil in the transmission, which is starting to sound a bit industrial after 90,000km of Growler treatment. Now I'm wondering whether I wasted my money.

....but it does say it's OK for Mack trucks..... :+D

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