my friend owns a repair shop, we were talking tonight, he said the price of oil has taken a jump. he asked his distributor about the increase, and they told him the government made all the oil co's take zinc out of automotive motor oils, and that zinc was the main lubricating factor in oil. it evedently pollutes more than the feds want. my ? is what is lubricating in the oil now? i have already switched to amsoil, but i figured this would be something to be brought up here for you guys to hash out, maybe someone knows more.......

 

Zinc has not been outlawed in engine oil. May be coming in the future but has not happened yet!
Zinc is not the main lubricating factor in oil. It's an anti-wear additive used by higher quality oil companys in very small percentages, less than .5% by weight.
OIL is the main lubricating factor in oil!
Four functions of an engine oil = Clean, Cool, Seal, Lubricate.
Additives do the first, oil does the rest.

RJ

 

Hmmmm....

Maybe lubricating oil is going up because crude oil has gone up?

 

Motor oil doesn't fluctuate like crude because the price is set just twice a year. Usually in 6 months time the crude price will go up as much as it goes down and will average out. The price does increase due to inflation though and this time more than likely the price of crude will never return to low levels again. The easy oil has been got and world demand is skyrocketing.
Might be a good time to stock up but remember the additives do fall out of motor oil in about a year. No big deal in a small container you can shake up but not so in a drum.

 

SEE i KNEW someone on here would know more!!!!

 

btw-- that Zinc is actually ZDDP-- zinc diethydiphosphate. It's an extreme pressure lubricating agent. It's held with valve stem and ring wear (other other really high-shear areas).

Justin

 

Just for the record, I think you will find it's Dialkyldithiophospate....if anyone cares.

My lubrication manual says it's not really an EP (chemical) protective agent...but an Antiwear (physical) protective agent.

Regarding the original question, EP additives and/or Antiwear additives do not, by definition, provide lubrication (ie; reducing frictional drag). They simply provide a buffer between metal to metal contact. They may, or may not, provide a more "slippery" surface, but this is not their purpose.
Correction to above - Zinc is used in small amounts; less than .2% by wt.

RJ
PS: Justin - Still no T-Rex in your signature...change your mind? Respect your opinions and was anxious to hear final evaluation based on your research.

 

Thanks for the clarification, RJ.

You have a PM.