Green Earth Technologies gets API certification for biodegradable motor oil
When we think about the amount of petroleum used in automobiles, we're usually focusing in on the amount of fossil fuels that the car's engine burns to generate power to move the vehicle. In reality, there's a lot more oil to consider, including what goes into making the plastics, fabrics and rubber that our cars are assembled with. Still more oil is used to lubricate the car's internal workings, but there may now be a viable alternative on that last bit as the biodegradable motor oil from Green Earth Technologies, which is made from animal fats, has received the coveted API certification, meaning that it's been found safe to use in your gasoline engine.According to Green Earth Technologies co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer Jeffrey Loch, "It's been almost two years in the making and a true team effort, but I am happy to say that G-Oil motor oil is finally ready for retail." We look forward to seeing on store shelves soon.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
texmln 12:16AM (3/12/2009)
You try it first and let us know how it goes.
Reply
Ian 5:30AM (3/12/2009)
...There we go...
glug glug glug- down the hatch you little Italian racer you!
OK- here comes 12 cylinders of Lamborghini goodness racing down the street...
What's that smell...
Oh it's new motor oil- it will- oh crap!
Reply
Phil L. 8:59AM (3/12/2009)
I suspect I'm bothered by the same thing many of your are: Much of my life, I've learned of lubricating oil technology that improves its ability to survive under extreme conditions without breaking down. Now we hear of an oil that degrades on its own.
What does this really mean?
I'm also a little mystified about the true advantages of a biodegradable, "green" oil. I presume I can't use this oil as a fertilizer on my garden :). Can it be disposed of or recycled in some way that has advantages over current petroleum oil methods? If some of this oil drips from an engine and makes its way to a local body of water, is it less toxic than petroleum? I live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed - this is a big deal.
I'm also curious about their claim that "it takes three barrels of crude oil to make one barrel of motor oil, but it only takes one barrel of animal fat to produce one barrel of G-Oil." I presume this means they're adding a number of things to the animal fat, in addition to removing some things. What do they add? What kind of processing do they do?
I'm hoping to hear more from this technology. An oil that results in more internal engine repair won't be a net gain. I'd like to hear from someone who has used this oil - and will share regular oil analysis results. This will help us all learn how well this product performs in real-life use.
Reply
John 5:35PM (3/19/2009)
Hi Phil,
I use the G-brand 2-cycle oil for my chainsaw and weed wacker. I was a little skeptical at first, but after researching what it meant to have API certification, I began to use G-oil . This stuff worked great in my weed whacker and chainsaw. No smoke and no smell just like it said.
To answer your question, I ran into a green earth sales guy and I asked him the same thing. I was told that pre-use this 2-cycle oil can be dumped right into a river without doing any harm. Obviously after you mix it with gas you cannot dump it.
I have not tried the 4-cycle yet but can’t wait to. From what I understand it is the same. Also Green Earth Technologies has this product called oil-2-soil which is meant to be added to 4-cycle after you use it. Then apparently you can dump it on the ground. I went to their website GETG.com
I’m just thrilled over the fact that I can use American made oil that happens to be bio-degradable.
Woodenbee 9:47AM (3/12/2009)
Wow what a bunch of ninnies, I'd buy it today, I need an oil change. did you all not see its API certified?????, and yes its obviously better for the environment it biodegrades!!, unlike oil now which will always be oil, so yes it could be used as fertilizer and yes it would be better than all that regular oil that flows into the Chesapeake, so buy it now and as for the first commenter you should try being the first to do something, its good for the soul, there's nothing smart or honorable about always letting others go first, you might need to rethink your existence
Reply
Kevin 10:58AM (3/12/2009)
It's API certified, yay! His questions are valid though. Many automotive buyers have been trained that oil breaking down is a bad thing.
As for it being leaked onto a lawn. Automotive used oil is considered toxic waste for a reason. It's got metal from the engine in it. Zinc, Iron, Lead, brass, steel, etc.
Can you imagine what that would do to your lawn?
I'm also curious about the recycleability of it along with how long does it really take to break down. I want to see some bearing wear tests pitting this against other oils on the market and synthetic oils.
JWMaki 5:19PM (3/14/2009)
I guess my vegan friends will have to wait for the vegetable oil version.
Reply