G-Oil bio-based motor oil now available for cars

GET's 5W-30 G-Oil.

(Credit: Green Earth Technologies)

Green Earth Technologies (GET) announced Wednesday that its environmentally friendly motor oil for cars will soon be available on shelves across the U.S.

The manufacturer of the biodegradable, carbon neutral motor oil made in part from the animal fat of beef slaughter byproducts has been waiting on certification from the American Petroleum Institute before selling its G-Oil to the public.

G-Oil has received API starburst certification, a symbol put on a product's packaging to signify it meets specific standards and is recommended for use by leading vehicle manufacturers. GET's car oil was additionally granted the API service symbol donut, a seal signifying an oil product has "energy-conserving properties in a standard test in comparison to a reference oil."

Until recently, GET has only been selling a 2-cycle G-Oil and a 4-cycle 10W-30 G-Oil for use in small-motor things like lawn mowers and tractors.

Now that the API approval has come, GET, which will be showcasing new products at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas next week, says consumers will begin to see its G-Oil motor oil for cars and trucks at leading national chains. It already began selling its product at National Auto Stores, a Pennsylvania-based chain, as of October 1.

The announcement is not just good news for a company. If the majority of the general public starts buying motor oil that biodegrades rather than taints groundwater, it could have a meaningful impact on the environment. Used motor oil from a single oil change that is dumped into the ground can contaminate about 1 million gallons of fresh water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

But, of course, the motor oil has to work well with your car.

While the International Motor Sports Association's American Le Mans Series has adopted G-Oil as its official motor oil of choice, the real test will be whether or not the American driving public and car enthusiasts like how it performs in their cars.

While no formal announcement has been made, it's likely a deal is in the works with the retailers already carrying G-Oil for small motors. This would include chains like Amazon.com, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and True Value, among others.

[RTFM]

How much?

[darkebinary]

The biggest factor will be the cost. If they charge extra for motor oil that performs no better or even worse than normal motor oil you aren't going to get a lot of the "change my own oil" crowd to buy this stuff. They might have better luck selling it in bulk to places like Jiffy Lube.

[bildan2]

Way back I was an early adopter of synthetic oil - and ruined a very expensive engine. Today, synthetics are fine products but back then, the manufacturers had a lot to learn.

The lesson is not to jump too early and wait until a substantial number of reports come in. Lubricating oil is very cheap but the engines it protects are very expensive. The upside is very small and the downside is huge.

[biffhenerson]

ALL petroleum based oil (fossile fuel) is "bio" too. It's organic and from the earth. Rather than try and sell something as bio-fuel or bio-oil, why not just say what it is.... an alternative.

[kkohnen]

Read the Material Safety Data Sheets from most motor oils - when they're NEW, they aren't toxic - you can drink them and there won't be any lasting effects. The toxic stuff in used motor oil are the combustion by-products and the engine wear metals. It's not clear how this oil would address this issue.