synthetic blend oil

[dru]

What percentage of synthetic to conventional oil constitutes a synthetic blend? Can a oil company blend 90% conventional to 10% synthetic and call it synthetic blend?

The thought just popped into my mind browsing oil company websites. None of them specify the % blend they use.

 

[Twizzler09]

Not sure about other companies but....

At work we use Kendall Synthetic Blend as our bulk oil. Its supposed to be a 50/50 mix from what we've been told.

 

[razrwild]

sounds like a question for www.bobtheoilguy.com

 

[LearjetMinako]

Its ranges from each company. But its mostly around 1qt syn to 4~5qts regular oil. Valvoline Syn Blends is 25% blend last time I called to find out.

 

[cocoasranger]

Use of synthetic oil and proper cooling system maintenance is essential if owners of early-model 2.9s wish to avoid trouble.

I found this info in the technical library under 2.9L engine facts. What is the reasoning for using synthetic oil in early 2.9L engines. I have read various places that an old engine is more likely to leak with synthetic oil and that it's overkill for this engine. Any thoughts?

 

[LearjetMinako]

Use of synthetic oil and proper cooling system maintenance is essential if owners of early-model 2.9s wish to avoid trouble.

I found this info in the technical library under 2.9L engine facts. What is the reasoning for using synthetic oil in early 2.9L engines. I have read various places that an old engine is more likely to leak with synthetic oil and that it's overkill for this engine. Any thoughts?

I would not call it overkill, but make an already greasey engine leak oil, then yes. Proper coolant maintenance is cruical for the 2.9's. They were prone to crack heads if they overheat. As for full synthetic oil, probably to help further prevent overheating.

I use full synthetic in my 96' Ranger 2.3L. In 100 degree days, it doesn't break a sweat. And thats with everything running (a/c, music, etc). Of course I always make sure the coolant is in crisp working order.

 

[dru]

im beginning to think its a scam. you cant find any definitive information online, it seems to range anywhere from 2%-30% synthetic. i went to the API website, typed in synthetic blend in their search bar and nothing comes up. i assume there is no standard as to blend percentage.

 

[north44]

Not surprised that you didn't find any definitive ratio - probably isn't any. And if it doesn't say what percentages on the container (and I've never seen that), then technically, conventional oil could contain as little as a single drop of synthetic, and still be a "blend".

I've either run conventional with 1 liter (about a quart) of additive such as Lucas Oil Treatment, or I run full synthetic. First 3-4 oil changes was straight conventional oil. After that when I ran conventional, I added the oil treatment.

Probably more important to to make sure you perform regular and frequent oil changes than the type of oil - though my personal opinion is that I prefer synthetic because it resists breakdown better than conventional. However, that may be academic, because I change my oil every 5,000 km/3,000 miles anyway, regardless.

BTW, truck has almost 300,000 km/190,000 miles on it (all original) - no major engine work needed to be done so far, and it still doesn't burn a drop of oil between changes

 

[cocoasranger]

Right. I saw an article a couple years back that discussed synthetic motor oils and the percentages of base to synthetic in each; even named brands. It went everywhere from 5% to 100% synthetic in the blend. That was the article that said if you put 100% synthetic in a high mileage vehicle you would likely get leaks where there were none before. They did point out that synthetic is far superior and is the only oil that can be used in severe service such as jet engines.

 

[north44]

Synthetic blends are more expensive than conventional oil (generally), and less expensive than full synthetics, generally.

As to the OP's original question, there doesn't seem to be a standard that manufacturers/refiners, or even retailers, stick to.

It may just be a marketing ploy to get that mid-range (pricewise) market.

 

[fastpakr]

For what it's worth, 'full synthetic' oils are almost always blended as well.