Oil Change

A._Badger

Castrol Magnatec is a perfectly respectable part-synthetic oil ('semi' syn, if you like). It may be overpriced, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, providing it meets the specis for the engine in which it's being used.

What matters far more than the brand is the specification. If you want to understand the specifications, the followig provides a good basic grounding: http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

newbie007_2

Strider590 wrote: »

They make a loss on the oil change but make up for it by telling you your brakes, tyre, exhaust and suspension are "dangerous" and need replacing immediately at their usual grossly over priced rates.

Like £155 for a tyre that I can get for £95 just down the road.

I dont see how they can make up for it? One can just ignore them.....

andygb

I have in front of me an empty 1 litre Castrol Magnatec container. This is the oil which I always use (for the past six years) in my Ford Mondeo.
It is - Fully Synthetic, 5W-30 A3/B4.
It is in my opinion very good value, and my car seems to love it.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

benham3160 wrote: »

Turning this one its head, can you explain how Magnatec is entirely a mineral oil?

Regards,
Andy

No, because I never said it was, did I?

A._Badger

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

No, because I never said it was, did I?

No, what you said was: " I suggest you educate yourself on what semi-synthetic actually is. Magnatec is mineral oil in a fancy container, with a price tag to match."

Which was pretty misleadng.

Strider590

newbie007 wrote: »

I dont see how they can make up for it? One can just ignore them.....

Not if your not clued up on cars, they'll have you thinking you'll die as soon as you get it onto the road.
They prey on women drivers this way.

newbie007_2

Yeah I guess......they have probably less complains about them compared to the likes kwik fix and dealers.

Most garages prey on women. They did tell me last month when I took it for an oil change my car should
get the front brakes replace soon (perhaps as its squeeking sp? but brakes ok) and front and middle section
of exhaust was starting to rust. I said 'ok' and left

Zanzibar

What is everyone on about Magnatec being this or that? It comes in MULTIPLE grades - there is no ONE Magnatec.

It comes in Part Synthetic and Fully Synthetic. You need to check the actual spec of the oil, as mentioned by others, to know what you are getting - and the only way you can tell is to look on the drum they use as they probably wont know.

Also the bulk supplied spec may not be the same as the retail packs - again you have to check.

A._Badger

Zanzibar wrote: »

What is everyone on about Magnatec being this or that? It comes in MULTIPLE grades - there is no ONE Magnatec.

It comes in Part Synthetic and Fully Synthetic. You need to check the actual spec of the oil, as mentioned by others, to know what you are getting - and the only way you can tell is to look on the drum they use as they probably wont know.

Also the bulk supplied spec may not be the same as the retail packs - again you have to check.

That's an interesting point and a bit of a stick with which to beat Castrol.

Catrol's branding has made it extremely confusing for customers by the overuse of that one brand name. Other brands (Mobil in particular) make it far simpler for the end-user.

That, the mess they got into with the US court case, and the infamous four litre bottles does rather sound like a company in which marketing androids have too much say.

thescouselander

Ok, now that I am on a decent computer I can clarify - taken from the Castrol website FAQ:

Is Castrol Magnatec Synthetic or Part-Synthetic?
Castrol Magnatec 5W-30A1 and Castrol Magnatec Diesel 5W-40 A3/B4 are fully synthetic formulations providing quicker circulation at extremely cold temperatures and superior performance at high operating temperatures.

Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 and 15W-40 are both part-synthetic. All grades of Castrol Magnatec contain Intelligent Molecules that cling to critical engine parts to instantly protect from the moment you turn the key.

http://magnatec.castrol.com/index/faq#faq10