Dear Lubes & Greases,

I want to thank Tom Glenn for his illuminating series of columns regarding the use and misuse of the term synthetic as applied to lubricants (Need to Know, July and August). DSI Fluids has always stood for the highest quality synthetic lubricants, and we feel that the lack of a technical definition of synthetic is purposefully creating confusion and uncertainty in the minds of the buying public.

From now on, DSI Fluids will lead the industry in providing customers with information that they can use to help them separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Our Platinum Performance line of lubricant products will list the type of ingredients in them, along with their respective concentrations. Showing that DSI Platinum Performance products contain 100 percent PAO base oils will help the public make better, more informed decisions.

We urge other lubricant manufacturers to follow our lead in uncovering the smoke screen that now exists through nontechnical use of the terms synthetic and synthetic blend when applied to lubricant products.

Dr. David W. Sundin

DSI Fluids

Tyler, Texas

First Things First

Dear Lubes & Greases,

Very informative Automotive column by David McFall on ASTM Committee D-2 in the August issue (Not Just Any Centennial, page 6). However, one point made concerning Mobil 1, as being the first fully synthetic engine oil to market in 1975, has rather lubricated my hackles. If you check, I believe that you will find that Amsoil was two or three years ahead of Mobil 1 on that score. (Betcha gonna get a lot of mail on that one from Amsoil dealers around the country.)

Generally speaking, I always turn to page 6 as soon as I open the latest issue of LubesnGreases. Keep up the good work.

Ray Ozimek

Amsoil dealer

Woodbury, Tenn.

Dear Lubes & Greases,

Im sure you have heard from others by now regarding a statement on page 7 of the August issue. In 1975 Mobil 1, the first fully synthetic engine oil… is incorrect. Amsoil holds the distinction of being the first, API-approved fully synthetic engine oil with its introduction of a 10W-40 in 1972. Marketing began in 1973.

I most enjoy your informative articles.

Harry O. Rakfeldt

Amsoil dealer

Grants Pass, Ore.

Fast Fix for Food-grade Lubes?

Dear Lubes & Greases,

After returning from holiday, two articles in the July issue (Brouhaha in Food-grade Lubes and Fuel for Thought) caught my eye.

I certainly see why food-grade lubricants must be non-toxic. But why should they be colorless and odorless? Detecting small amounts of a colorless, odorless substance must require frequent testing with sensitive and costly equipment. Surely, a brightly dyed lubricant would ensure that any leak or food contact would be quickly and cheaply spotted, traced and fixed. That would also save the manufacturer the cost and public embarrassment of a recall!

Second, various people have advanced sound arguments for reducing the sulfur content of automotive lubricants. Surely that makes no sense at all until all of the sulfur has been removed from the fuel. After all, lubricating oil must be a very minor source of exhaust gas sulfur.

Peter Bursztyn

Brascorp North America

Chatsworth, Ont., Canada