Synthetic oil now available
Improved engine performance and 40,000 kilometres between oil changes are listed among the claimed benefits of a synthetic engine lubricant now being marketed in New Zealand by Mobil Oil. The laboratory-produced lubricant, Mobil 1 Rally Formula, quietly arrived on the shelves of Christchurch service stations before an extensive advertising campaign was launched this week.
It is expected to retail about $8 a litre, compared with $3.20 to $4 a litre for conventional petroleumbased oil, but the properties of the synthetic lubricant make up for the extra cost, according to Mobil Oil. A spokesman said from Wellington that the synthetic oil would need to be changed only after 40,000 kilometres or more.
Most garages recommend that ordinary oils be changed every 5000 kilometres, and “super” oils after 20,000 kilometres at the most.
The synthetic lubricant is also said to provide a measurable decrease in engine wear and an increase in performance. Mobil said that a test-bed evaluation of the lubricant in a three-litre Ford Cosworth Formula I racing engine had shown a consistent increase of between 10 and 13 brake horse power over
conventional oils.
Mobil 1 Rally Formula is not yet being marketed anywhere else in the world. Mr Hamish Wilson, of Mobil Oil (New Zealand), Ltd, in Christchurch said New Zealand had probably been' chosen because the market ' was of a suitable size, and; because of Mobil’s past good' record in launching new products. The hydrocarbon base ofMobil 1 Rally Formula is" laboratory-produced in ■ France. Polyalphaolefin, a chemical made by synthetic combination of the ethylene' molecule, extracted from' natural or artificially created gas, and diester, a * synthetic lubricant made by attacking alcohol with inorganic acids, are combined with catalysts. It has the usual petro- - leum additives to give vis- ' cosity and other essential properties. The synthetic “oil” is also' said to give good protection" against rust and corrosion,' and better cold starting. Tests had shown that it' remained effective in temperatures as low as -50deg.'; C., said the spokesman.
The proprietor of one Mo-' bil service station in Christchurch said yesterday that he had not yet sold any of the synthetic lubricant. He thought that some' motorists might be reluc-' tant to try it at first, “but if it is as good as they say, people will buy it.” '
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Press, 21 October 1983, Page 18
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384Synthetic oil now available Press, 21 October 1983, Page 18
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