Fuchs statement concerning the use of Titan XTR 5w-30 in RX8\'s!

[oilman]

I have been in touch with Fuchs concerning the use of Titan XTR in RX8\'s in view of the recent statements by Mazda.

Here is their statement:

QUOTE: Alan Walker (Head of Fuchs UK Technical Department)

MAXDA RX8

The current advice from Mazda precludes the use of synthetic engine oils because of concerns over oil and soot build up on parts of the engine.

The concerns appear to arise because oils based on very thermally stable synthetics such as polyalphaolefins may not burn as quickly or as completely as mineral oil based materials.

Mazda service literature calls for a SAE 5W-30 of ACEA A1 or A3 minimum performance, the recommended Mazda Dexelia is a SAE 5W-30 of ACEA A5/B5 performance. ACEA A5/B5 overlays both A1 and A3 and can be used in its place in all applications.

ACEA A1, A3 & A5 call up comprehensive engine and bench test sequences to control, amongst others, High temperature deposits, ring stick, sludge formation, valve train wear, dispersancy, oil volatility and viscosity stability.

The volatility target alone of 13% max for A3 & A5 and 15% max for A1 precludes the use of a standard refined mineral oil base which would give a calculated volatility of approx 22%. The necessary performance is attainable only by the use of a hydrocracked or catalytically reformed mineral oil as a basis for the formulation.

Such base oils may be described as synthetic in some countries ( eg. UK) but the legal description in other areas is mineral oil.

This appears to be the source of the apparent contradiction and corresponds exactly with the base used in Fuchs Titan XTR 5W-30 which is a high quality SAE 5W-30 ACEA A1 using catalytically reformed mineral oil and which is legitimately termed synthetic for UK consumption.

Fuchs UK would therefore recommend the use of Titan XTR 5W-30 in the Mazda RX8 engine and all other applications where an oil of this viscosity and performance is called for.

UNQUOTE:

Cheers
Simon

[A7NTY]

So basically they were trying to flog old mineral oil as synthetic as a selling pitch  but had to reconsider their darstedly scheme when rotary owners realised synthetic oil was no use. I like it. Still atleast people using that fuchs stuff can stop sh1tting themselves with worry now.

[oilman]

Indeed but as far as I recall they have never called it anything other than a hydrocracked oil.

They and all other oil companies are the same but most will not admit it.

The ruling in the states changed everthing and it was a marketing opportunity for all oil blenders the cheapen their old brews and still call it synthetic.

Not that it matters for Rotary engine owners unless they want the better stuff.

Cheers
Simon