Comments on: Motor oil goes green

New high-endurance motor oil made from animal fat is 100-percent biodegradable.

[Pete Bardo]

Seems you've mis-stated something here.

"But one Bay Area-based company is hocking a green, biodegradable motor oil..."

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.

[ejevo]

Several problems

I'm not sure I'd be willing to be part of the first wave of consumers to try it. My vehicle is too valuable still at this point.

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?

[Brak78102]

Nuh-uh I doon't think so.

I'm not putting it in my car!

[craig4524]

Used motor oil is a hazardous waste.

You can't pour it on the ground or a compost heap just because it'll biodegrade. Its picked up traces of lead and other metals at the very least (possibly antifreeze and other chemicals) and must be recycled as a used motor oil per federal law. Check oil analysis sites, it picks up a lot of stuff.

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.

[pctec100]

Is it really green?

Sure it's biodegradable but, without considering what can be found in oil after use, is it really green? How much fossil fuel consumption is needed for raising the live stock? How much for raising the food for the live stock? Even more for rendering?

How does that scale if 1% of all motor oil were to be replaced with? How about 10%, 25% or even greater?

[pubmat]

You would have to be NUTS to use that in a car without first evidence of safety through extensive testing. NUTS.

[Moonshiner55]

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.

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...