Schwepps
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You may be looking at the semi-synths or even minerals, viewfinder. Castrol is a brand. Mobil1 is a range just as Shell Helix and Petronas Syntiums are ranges and there are many types of oils within a range. You need to specify Helix Ultra AB and Syntium 3000 LL for the fully-synths.
Basically, Castrol spoiled it for the consumer by it's marketing actions in 1999 and it became difficult for the consumer not to get tricked the world over, except in Germany and Japan. Here's the story from the Amsoil website:
What is "Synthetic" motor oil?
As with any new technology, there are a number of myths and advertising claims that need to be explored.
In 1998, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a US based organization, deleted all references for the term "Synthetic," to avoid any future lawsuits. The SAE is a non-profit organization of Engineers, which had no desire or financial backing to involve itself in lawsuits with Major Oil and Chemical companies, so the simple "deletion" of all references to "Synthetic" was made.
The SAE "Synthetic" rules previously stated:
"Synthetic base stocks must be Poly-alpha-Olefin [API rated= Group 4]."
Castrol Syntec took advantage of the rule deletion and released a "Synthetic Motor oil," using highly processed mineral oil [API Group 3] base stocks.
Exxon Mobil sued Castrol for false marketing in 1999, and unfortunately for the consumer, the judge declared that 'Synthetic' is a marketing term NOT based on its components. Group III base stocks are now considered synthetic motor oil in North America.
The entire Synthetic market switched from using Poly-alpha-Olefin's [Group 4], to the much cheaper Processed-Mineral Oil [Group 3] alternative, while retaining the premium PAO Synthetic price. AMSOIL is one of the few to continue using 100% PAO synthetic base stocks made with expensive pure chemicals.
Basically, Castrol spoiled it for the consumer by it's marketing actions in 1999 and it became difficult for the consumer not to get tricked the world over, except in Germany and Japan. Here's the story from the Amsoil website:
What is "Synthetic" motor oil?
As with any new technology, there are a number of myths and advertising claims that need to be explored.
In 1998, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a US based organization, deleted all references for the term "Synthetic," to avoid any future lawsuits. The SAE is a non-profit organization of Engineers, which had no desire or financial backing to involve itself in lawsuits with Major Oil and Chemical companies, so the simple "deletion" of all references to "Synthetic" was made.
The SAE "Synthetic" rules previously stated:
"Synthetic base stocks must be Poly-alpha-Olefin [API rated= Group 4]."
Castrol Syntec took advantage of the rule deletion and released a "Synthetic Motor oil," using highly processed mineral oil [API Group 3] base stocks.
Exxon Mobil sued Castrol for false marketing in 1999, and unfortunately for the consumer, the judge declared that 'Synthetic' is a marketing term NOT based on its components. Group III base stocks are now considered synthetic motor oil in North America.
The entire Synthetic market switched from using Poly-alpha-Olefin's [Group 4], to the much cheaper Processed-Mineral Oil [Group 3] alternative, while retaining the premium PAO Synthetic price. AMSOIL is one of the few to continue using 100% PAO synthetic base stocks made with expensive pure chemicals.
