I promised in another thread to post the answer Castrol gave me when I asked them about changing their formula. When they made this change Mobil 1 challenged them because they began using a "Catagory III" base stock, which is not synthetic. I have copied and pasted their answer below. They are like politicians and did not directly answer the question. They seem to want to rely on what the "NAD", National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau ruled, and that is that they can still call it 100% synthetic. Seems rather like a play on words to me, just because NAD says it meets their requirements does not make it so.
"In 1998, Castrol upgraded SYNTEC, by switching to a new and specially engineered hydroisomerized base stock. Before we made the change, we conducted an extensive proprietary testing program that proved that the new hydroisomerized base stock allowed us to blend a synthetic product that was superior to the old PAO base stock formula. This was challenged by a competitor who was a major manufacturer of PAO base stock, before the NAD (National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau). This resulted in a rejection of our competitor’s position when the NAD, relying on industry standards and the extensive expert testimony of leading scientists here and in Europe, completely upheld our position. After months of study, the NAD agreed that SYNTEC is fully synthetic. As the NAD found, the assumption of our competitor that there is only one way to formulate a synthetic motor oil is wrong. No two conventional motor oils, synthetic blends or full synthetic motor oils are formulated exactly the same way. Motor oil manufacturers have different formulation philosophies: We are proud to say that Castrol’s philosophy is one of continual innovation, leading-edge technology, and ultimate performance.
Castrol SYNTEC is not made with petroleum base stock. Just as PAO is derived from complex chemical reactions starting with ethylene gas, SYNTEC’s base stock is synthesized using sophisticated processes and chemical reactions. The molecular structures of the starting compounds are fundamentally altered to produce a fluid with vastly improved properties capable of attaining the highest levels of formulated synthetic lubricant performance.
In response to your inquiry, Castrol decided to take advantage of new developments in technology that allows the production of advanced high-performance synthetic base stocks. We found that by using advanced base stocks, we could produce synthetic oil that exceeded the high performance levels achieved with standard synthetic base stock.
More importantly, Castrol has always believed that the true test of motor oil is the degree to which it protects your engine. Castrol Syntec passes the most rigorous tests in the world and offers the ultimate in engine protection. Therefore, you can continue to rely on Castrol Syntec to seek out and neutralize corrosive particles in your engine preventing premature engine wear during all phases of engine operation, help prevent the formation of sludge, meets standards of protection that conventional oils simply cannot attain, provide vastly increased stability at extreme temperatures, bond to engine parts at a molecular level leaving a layer of protection, and finally to exceed all gasoline engine warranty requirements for US, European and Japanese cars and light trucks.
We hope that we have properly addressed all of your concerns.
Castrol Consumer Relations."
"In 1998, Castrol upgraded SYNTEC, by switching to a new and specially engineered hydroisomerized base stock. Before we made the change, we conducted an extensive proprietary testing program that proved that the new hydroisomerized base stock allowed us to blend a synthetic product that was superior to the old PAO base stock formula. This was challenged by a competitor who was a major manufacturer of PAO base stock, before the NAD (National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau). This resulted in a rejection of our competitor’s position when the NAD, relying on industry standards and the extensive expert testimony of leading scientists here and in Europe, completely upheld our position. After months of study, the NAD agreed that SYNTEC is fully synthetic. As the NAD found, the assumption of our competitor that there is only one way to formulate a synthetic motor oil is wrong. No two conventional motor oils, synthetic blends or full synthetic motor oils are formulated exactly the same way. Motor oil manufacturers have different formulation philosophies: We are proud to say that Castrol’s philosophy is one of continual innovation, leading-edge technology, and ultimate performance.
Castrol SYNTEC is not made with petroleum base stock. Just as PAO is derived from complex chemical reactions starting with ethylene gas, SYNTEC’s base stock is synthesized using sophisticated processes and chemical reactions. The molecular structures of the starting compounds are fundamentally altered to produce a fluid with vastly improved properties capable of attaining the highest levels of formulated synthetic lubricant performance.
In response to your inquiry, Castrol decided to take advantage of new developments in technology that allows the production of advanced high-performance synthetic base stocks. We found that by using advanced base stocks, we could produce synthetic oil that exceeded the high performance levels achieved with standard synthetic base stock.
More importantly, Castrol has always believed that the true test of motor oil is the degree to which it protects your engine. Castrol Syntec passes the most rigorous tests in the world and offers the ultimate in engine protection. Therefore, you can continue to rely on Castrol Syntec to seek out and neutralize corrosive particles in your engine preventing premature engine wear during all phases of engine operation, help prevent the formation of sludge, meets standards of protection that conventional oils simply cannot attain, provide vastly increased stability at extreme temperatures, bond to engine parts at a molecular level leaving a layer of protection, and finally to exceed all gasoline engine warranty requirements for US, European and Japanese cars and light trucks.
We hope that we have properly addressed all of your concerns.
Castrol Consumer Relations."
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