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Halfords Fully synthetic oil is a Group III hydrocracked oil

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Old 31 January 2006 | 01:22 PM
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Default Halfords Fully synthetic oil is a Group III hydrocracked oil

I posted on another thread asking about Halfords Fully Synthetic 5W-40 motor oil that I would see if I could get some analysed via my contacts at work, to establish if it was ester based synthetic oil or refined mineral oil.

I contacted Halfords customer Services who confirmed it was made by Comma for them, but couldn't define its composition, but did give me a contact at Comma.
Comma did tell me what the oil was, and my independant analysis confirmed the answer.
Comma also confirmed that their Comma Syner G 5W-40 oil is also a Group III hydrocracked mineral oil.

I have had a sample sent for independant analysis and the results are as follows.
I have removed the name of the company used for our analysis.

2. Experimental and Results

The oil was received at ******** as a clear amber fluid, showing no suspended material and no turbidity

2.1 Infrared spectroscopy

The infrared spectrum of the oil was recorded on the Bruker Optics Tensor 27 Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer in *********.

Figure 1. Infrared spectrum of the oil

The infrared spectrum suggests that the oil is based on hydrocarbons derived from petroleum.

2.2 X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy

The inorganic elements present in the oil were determined using the Philips PW1400 X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer in *********.

The major elements detected in the oil were: sulphur, zinc and calcium and phosphorus.

Sulphur is present in many products derived from petroleum fractions, zinc is added to oil as an anti wear agent and calcium and magnesium are the basis of detergent additives.

3. Conclusion

The oil is a mineral oil based on hydrocarbons derived from petroleum fractions. It contains an antiwear and detergent additive.

Typically - zinc dithiophosphate => reduces friction and wear and prevents scoring and seizure
calcium/magnesium organic compounds => keep surfaces free of deposits

End of report:


So its a Group III hydrocracked mineral oil.


I sent this e-mail to Millers Oils.

Dear sir,
Please can clarify whether Millers XFS 5W-40 motor oil is a Group 3
hydrocracked oil, or is and Ester/PAO based synthetic product.

Their response;
It uses a mixture of group III and group IV (PAO) technologies

I also contacted Silkolene and asked about the Pro S 5w-40 oil, and they confirmed it as a Ester based synthetic oil.


I am not posting this to enter into a debate about which oil anybody should use, its simply a statement of fact about a product.

I have used Halfords Fully Synthetic Oil for several years.

Cheers
MTR

Last edited by MTR; 31 January 2006 at 04:06 PM.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:07 PM
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Outstanding post ....... strange how Oilman couldn't get this information??

So? Halfords/Comma Oil is not - as Oilman and others claim - crap!?

It is actually excellent value for money at £15 per 5 litres ......... no need to pay more, those that do are mad, stupid or just been scared witless by moronic claims of engine rebuilds and other bollox

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:22 PM
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I expect that lot means something to someone
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Wurzel
I expect that lot means something to someone
It will have gone right over Oilmans head ..... whooooooosh

He will still claim that the Halfords/Comma Oil is crap ...... despite this hard evidence!!

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:33 PM
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I am confused. so what is the difference between the Pro S and Halfords own????

G.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by GrahamG
I am confused. so what is the difference between the Pro S and Halfords own????

G.
About £20 apparently
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:36 PM
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lol... I'm being serious for once!

Real answer would be great.

Cheers.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by JTaylor
About £20 apparently
MORE!!

MUCH MORE!!

Halfords regularly sell Halfords Fully Synthetic for £15!!

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by GrahamG
lol... I'm being serious for once!

Real answer would be great.

Cheers.
When are you delivering your car to me??

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by MTR


So its a Group III hydrocracked mineral oil.

I also contacted Silkolene and asked about the Pro S 5w-40 oil, and they confirmed it as a Ester based synthetic oil.

MTR
So, it's not a real fully synth then and Silkolene Pro S is better. I think Simon might just about understand that

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist..........Does this make me a Troll ....Obviously not of your calibre though Pete, I couldn't hope to compete with the K(c)ocklink

Ns04
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by New_scooby_04
So, it's not a real fully synth then and Silkolene Pro S is better. I think Simon might just about understand that

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist..........Does this make me a Troll ....Obviously not of your calibre though Pete, I couldn't hope to compete with the K(c)ocklink

Ns04
Calm down now ............... nothing to see here ..............

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by GrahamG
I am confused. so what is the difference between the Pro S and Halfords own????

G.
The difference between the value of the Silkolene Pro S I use in mine and Shell Helix was £14 (I said £20 to allow for variations in suppliers prices). Once every 6 months!

Ns04
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by pslewis
Calm down now ............... nothing to see here ..............

Pete
LOL
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by pslewis
Outstanding post ....... strange how Oilman couldn't get this information??

So? Halfords/Comma Oil is not - as Oilman and others claim - crap!?

It is actually excellent value for money at £15 per 5 litres ......... no need to pay more, those that do are mad, stupid or just been scared witless by moronic claims of engine rebuilds and other bollox as long as they drive very gently like I do and don't tune their engine as many Subaru drivers do and do not enjoy extended periods of fast road driving or go on track

Pete
At last I agree with Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:42 PM
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I e mailed Shell with a similar question the other week. They never replied though.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by pslewis
When are you delivering your car to me??

Pete
lol. well i should have my documents through tomorrow. so best for you to drive it before i make changes!

when ever! do you have a booking slots at the old peoples home?

You know you said you work on the biggest project in the UK? was i right with T5????

G.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Rannoch
At last I agree with Pete, I am indeed, a *****!
Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:44 PM
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You see Pete - you can be funny without being abusive - although I do understand that is not in your nature

PS You have not answered the question as to why you have a 45l petrol tank on your car...

Last edited by Trout; 31 January 2006 at 02:47 PM.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:47 PM
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In my local chippy last night I asked if the oil was hydrocracked. He told me to **** off.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by GrahamG
lol. well i should have my documents through tomorrow. so best for you to drive it before i make changes!

when ever! do you have a booking slots at the old peoples home?

You know you said you work on the biggest project in the UK? was i right with T5????

G.
T5 is no longer the biggest project within the UK ......

The re-building of AWE is .....

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Rannoch
PS You have not answered the question as to why you have a 45l petrol tank on your car...
Subaru PUT IT THERE ...........

Pete
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:51 PM
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Are you sure about that Peter?

Old 31 January 2006 | 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by pslewis
T5 is no longer the biggest project within the UK ......

The re-building of AWE is .....

Pete
Whats AWE? and i guess that's what you work on?

G.
Old 31 January 2006 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Jay m A
In my local chippy last night I asked if the oil was hydrocracked. He told me to **** off.

lol, think it might be veg based....
Old 31 January 2006 | 03:08 PM
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Can anyone answer the question whether Shell Helix (fully synth) is GpIII or GpIV (or a mix) ?
Old 31 January 2006 | 03:15 PM
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As i said above i e mailed Shell to ask them but didnt receive a response. I mailed them as someone on here said last week that its a hydrocracked mineral oil.
Old 31 January 2006 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 16vmarc
As i said above i e mailed Shell to ask them but didnt receive a response. I mailed them as someone on here said last week that its a hydrocracked mineral oil.
I think I'd be right in saying that, technically, they are perfectly entitled to refer to a hydrocracked mineral oil as a "Fully Synth" providing it meets a certain specification, which I've no doubt it would. This is what a lot of the brew ha was over.

If you find out it is, will you change, just out of curiosity? I'm wondering what impact these types of discussion have on everyone's choice of oil....if any!

Ns04
Old 31 January 2006 | 03:35 PM
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Pete,

do you drive a Justy?

Or perhaps you can help us mere mortals and expain which model Subaru comes with a 45l tank - we await with bated breath!
Old 31 January 2006 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by New_scooby_04
If you find out it is, will you change, just out of curiosity? I'm wondering what impact these types of discussion have on everyone's choice of oil....if any!

Ns04
Probably not! Its still a good quality oil.
Old 31 January 2006 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Rannoch
Pete,

do you drive a Justy?

Or perhaps you can help us mere mortals and expain which model Subaru comes with a 45l tank - we await with bated breath!
he has a 50 or 60 ltrs tank.... i think



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