As a tanker driver I have delivered bulk automotive fluids from refineries to name brand motor oil companies and bulk distributors that supply to quick lube businesses. Most of these companies do not refine their own oil and essentially the consumer is buying the same product regardless of the color of the bottle it comes in. I’m not sure what additives are blended with the oil when it reaches these motor oil companies but I do notice different colors in the product. I also notice the color varies in the same brand of motor oil based on the stock it buys from the refinery. As long as the base product meets the specs it’s all the same stuff. With said, my question is what would be the difference of buying Wal-Mart brand dextrin/mercon lll that meets or exceeds specs for 7 gallon or buying top name brand for 12 gallon?
2007-01-22 02:13:50 · 3 answers · asked by flexikid 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I think the only real difference is price as you had said; they all have to meet standards. As far as the color difference Id hypothesize that it has to do with the diffrent additives that are put in by different companies.
2007-01-22 02:55:58 · answer #1 · answered by pontiacpowered71 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today, a full synthetic is best. especially in a newer car. Usually if the Torque amplifier is flushed with synthetic rated for your car, the trans. pan off, and a new filter screen your good to go. When I hauled high test & regular gasoline, #2 fuel oil and Diesel fuel every product was color coded so that you and I would'nt mix the fuels at our drop off locations. Back to your consern. I think the bright red dye in trans. fluids is a warning to customers what it's to be used for. Also that different oil applications have entirely different additive packages. I also have noticed different colors in major brand (Texaco) motor oil. Two years ago it was a brownish green. Nowadays I've hit some cases (same brand) colored like kerosene. I think diesel motor oil is dark collored when it's new it's got a sulpher removel package in it. As I get older I think it all works anyway especially if you keep things serviced regularly.
2007-01-22 02:51:10 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a tricky one, as you said it's most likely the same stuff, as for color if you take the red food coloring out of ATF you'll see that it more resembles very refined Hydraulic fluid, thou most hydraulic fluids do not have the additives for automatic transmission usage
there are some good synthetics out there like Super Purple
2007-01-22 07:58:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋