Motor oil goes green
G-oil biodegradable motor oil
(Credit: Green Earth Technologies)Certain biofuels, though eco-friendly, have a reputation for gumming up engine parts, which affect vehicle performance and ultimately reduce engine life. So the idea of a bio-based motor oil makes some of us a little nervous. But one Bay Area-based company is hawking a green, biodegradable motor oil that it says will protect engines as well as name-brand, petroleum-based oil.
G-Oil, made by Green Earth Technologies, is made by converting tallow -- that's saturated cow fat to you and me -- into a high-value unsaturated oil, which is less likely to clog up engine parts. (Tallow was used historically to make products such as candles and soap, and was sometimes used in cooking.) The resulting motor oil, according to the label, can be used in naturally-aspirated engines, as well as turbocharged and super-charged diesel and gasoline engines. In addition, the packaging is 100 percent recyclable, and the labels are printed on biodegradable paper with soy ink.
The company says the used oil is non-toxic and can be disposed of at home, but it must first be mixed with another of the company's products, called G-disposoil. The second compound breaks the oil into smaller molecules, which can be eaten by microorganisms found in the soil. However, there is no mention of whether other hazardous chemicals might be picked up by the oil during its lifespan inside the engine.
There isn't much information yet on how to buy G-oil, although the company recently showed off its products at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas.
We love the idea of the product, if all claims turn out to be true. But those of us with newer, high-performance cars might just want to wait around a bit for someone else to be the guinea pig.Related link: Green Earth Technology
Laura Burstein is a freelance automotive and technology journalist, covering news and events ranging from auto shows to Formula One races. She is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. 
I think you meant to say they are hawking this stuff. Hocking would be taking it to the pawn shop, or maybe coughing it up and spitting it out.
Now, as for the biodegradability of motor oil, motor oil is much more than motor oil after it has been used. It will contain unburnt gasoline and other contaminants, some of which are carcinogenic and are not likely to be biodegradable. Would you really want those items to be added to your compost pile and spread in your veggie garden?
I'm sure the refiners will be thrilled to have a degrading product in their mix (eyes roll). Not very well thought through. Lots of other stuff has to evolve before this is a workable idea.
How does that scale if 1% of all motor oil were to be replaced with? How about 10%, 25% or even greater?
- by Moonshiner55 April 17, 2009 5:10 PM PDT
- There has been some serious progress since the original article. The oil has been extensively tested and passed the tests with flying colors. It is SM certified by the API. I will definitely be using it in my vehicles.
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(7 Comments)It's actually the official motor oil of the American Le Mans Series. The racing oil was run in a high performance BMW M3 and showed less foaming and a lower oil temperature than what was used previously.
You would have to be a moron to dispose of it in your back yard, whether it's biodegradable or not. Don't be stupid, recycle it.
Check these links
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/01/22/379983.html
http://www.nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=7543
I'd love to dyno it and compare the results to Mobil 1 or Royal Purple...