The Essential Guide To Motor Oil - Valvoline

What is motor oil
made up of?
Motor oil has changed dramatically since Valvoline
first launched lubricating oils over 140 years ago.
Modern motor oils are made up of the following:
Base stocks +
Additives
The base stocks used can be conventional stocks,
man made synthetics or a mixture of conventional
and synthetic stocks.
Conventional base oils are made from crude oil
which has undergone certain extraction processes
and minor chemical restructuring in an oil refinery.
Conventional base oils are a mixture of thousands
of different chemicals.
Synthetics differ from conventional base oils in
that they are synthesized from relatively pure
chemicals for specifically designed performance
characteristics. The raw material for synthetics
could come from many sources. Synthetic base
stocks generally offer superior low temperature flow
properties and enhanced response to certain engine
oil additives.
Regardless of the type of base stocks used, it is
necessary to combine them with additives to meet
the demanding requirements of modern engines
Additives are the “active ingredient” in motor
oils. These additives must be replenished through
regular oil changes. They may include any of the
following:
- Detergents
- Dispersants
- Anti-Wear Agents
- Extreme Pressure Additives
- Oxidation Inhibitors
- Anti-Foaming Agents
- Rust and Corrosion Inhibitors
- Viscosity Index Improvers
- Pour Point Depressants
- Friction Modifiers
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