Most of what’s in a finished lubricant is base oil—typically 70–90% for automotive lubes—so the purity and chemistry of that base stock dictate how long the oil lasts, how clean equipment stays, and how reliably it starts in the cold. In short: when you work with your base oil supplier to improve quality, everything downstream performs better. Questions? Contact us.
“Base oil quality” isn’t just a lab number.
It’s a combination of purity (saturates/sulfur), viscosity index (VI), volatility, pour point, and oxidation stability that shows up in real-world results: longer drains, fewer deposits, steadier viscosity, and lower oil consumption.
As an authorized supplier of Chevron Group II neutrals and NEXBASE™ Group III base oils, and with nearly four decades in business, our Renkert Oil team knows base oils. Below, we offer a primer on how to get the best results in your finished lubricants.
Suzanne Kingsbury, Director of Quality
Why Base Oil Quality Matters To Finished Performance
Before additives can shine, the base oil sets the performance ceiling. Higher-purity, well-refined stocks resist oxidation, hold viscosity across temperatures, and evaporate less—translating to cleaner systems, stable viscosity grades, and fewer top-offs.
- Cleaner, highly saturated base stocks (very low sulfur/aromatics) fight sludge and varnish formation, extending service life.
- Low-Noack volatility curbs oil consumption and helps protect emissions equipment.
- High VI supports fuel economy and wear protection with consistent viscosity across wide temperature swings.
What “Quality” Really Means: Properties That Move The Needle
Each property below has a direct, visible effect on your finished lubricant. Here’s how to read them.
- Viscosity Index (VI): Higher VI = more stable viscosity from cold start to heavy service at peak engine temperatures, enabling broader multigrade coverage.
- Noack volatility: Lower is better to reduce consumption and deposits—especially in low-viscosity (high efficiency) engine oils.
- Pour point / cold-crank behavior: Determines pumpability and start-up protection in winter service.
- Oxidation stability: Resists thickening and varnish under heat for longer drains and cleaner parts.
- Purity (saturates/sulfur): Indicates how “inert” the base oil is—excellent for stability; formulators then tune solvency via additive selection and co-base oils.
API Base Oil Groups: A Quick Guide
Knowing your groups helps you match performance targets to the right slate.
- Group I: Older-tech solvency; lower oxidation stability—useful in some legacy and marine blends.
- Group II/II+: Hydroprocessed, very low sulfur; strong oxidation stability for engine and industrial oils.
- Group III/III+: Hydroisomerized, high VI, low volatility—ideal for modern low-vis engine oils and premium industrial lubes.
- Group IV (polyalphaolefin): Synthetic with very high VI, excellent low-temperature flow, and very low volatility; used to hit severe-service or extreme-temperature targets.
- Group V (other synthetics): “Everything else” (e.g., esters, PAGs, naphthenics) typically used as co-base oils to fine-tune properties like solvency, seal swell, deposit control, or water solubility.
Most modern day-to-day blends lean on Group II/III. Formulators bring in IV/V selectively to meet extreme specs or solve specific problems.
Where You See The Difference In The Field
Quality base oils pay off in day-to-day operations. Here’s what customers notice.
- Longer drains & cleaner systems: Chevron reports significant life extension when moving from Group I to Group II in suitable industrial applications.
- Better cold starts & efficiency: High-VI Group III stocks deliver low-temperature fluidity and low friction for easier cranking and better fuel economy.
- Lower consumption: Low-Noack formulations reduce top-offs and help keep after-treatment cleaner.
Application-Driven Picks
Use the base oil family that best fits your target spec and duty cycle. We’ll fine-tune the blend with you.
- Passenger car & heavy-duty engine oils: Chevron Group II base oils (100R, 220R and 600R) provide the lion’s share of volume in these key lubricants. NEXBASE™ Group III (e.g., 3043 / 3060 / 3080) base oils for high VI and low volatility meet modern OEM and ILSAC/ACEA targets. Chevron base oils have extensive approvals with additive company packages meeting the stringent industry standards.
- Hydraulic fluids: Chevron Group II neutrals for oxidation stability and cleanliness in high-pressure systems.
- Turbine & circulating oils: Group II for rust and oxidation resistance and varnish control at a sensible cost.
- Gear & compressor oils: Choose ISO grade for film strength, then optimize VI and volatility with Group II/III to balance durability and efficiency.
“Our base oils are highly saturated… contain practically zero sulfur (less than 10 ppm) … enabling extended lubricant life.” — Alan Outhwaite, Business Development Manager, Chevron Base Oils
Product Spotlight: Chevron NEXBASE™ Group III from Renkert Oil
NEXBASE base oils are hydroisomerized Group III stocks designed for premium performance, with excellent low-temp fluidity, high Viscosity Index (VI) and low evaporation—perfect for modern low-vis engine oils and high-spec industrial lubes.
Representative properties (typical):
- NEXBASE 3043: VI 122, Noack 14.2%, pour point −18 °C—balanced for light multigrades and fuel-economy blends.
- NEXBASE 3060: VI 128, Noack 7.2%, pour point −15 °C—great volatility control for mid-vis grades.
- NEXBASE 3080: VI 130, Noack 3.5%, pour point −12 °C—low volatility for durability in higher-vis targets.
Chevron works closely with major additive companies and OEMs to build formulations that meet current approvals, and has invested heavily to get approvals for popular lubricants. The NEXBASE brand, which the company acquired in 2022, came with a fully approved global Group III slate that complements Chevron’s Group II.
Product Spotlight: Chevron Group II Neutrals from Renkert Oil
Chevron’s Group II/II+ neutrals are high-purity paraffinic base oils with excellent oxidation stability and very low sulfur—ideal workhorses for engine and industrial formulations.
Representative properties (typical):
- Chevron Neutral Oil 100R: VI ~117; Noack ~16%; pour point −15 °C
- Chevron Neutral Oil 220R: VI ~106; Noack ~9%; pour point −15 °C
- Chevron Neutral Oil 600R: VI ~103; Noack ~2%; pour point −15 °C
These grades support balanced formulations across hydraulics, turbine/circulating, compressor, and engine applications.
Note: Always verify against the current Chevron PDS for your approvals.
Formulation Notes To Get It Right The First Time
Even the best base oils need smart blending. Two quick pointers:
- Mind solvency vs. stability: Higher-purity Group II/III stocks boost oxidative stability but reduce natural solvency. Tune additive solubility and seal compatibility accordingly.
- Use VI and volatility to your advantage: Hit fuel-economy and low-consumption targets without over-treating by choosing a base oil slate with the right inherent VI and Noack.
Why Source Through Renkert Oil
With us, you don’t just get premium base stocks. You get an experienced specialty oils partner.
- Authorized Chevron supply: Direct access to deep inventories of Chevron Group II and NEXBASE Group III base oils.
- Spec-to-spec help: Send us your current PDS/targets, and we’ll recommend a grade, ship a sample, and help shorten your approval path.
- Reliable delivery: U.S. inventory, planning, and responsive logistics to keep your blending schedule on track.
Contact Renkert Oil today! Tell us your target spec or send the current PDS. We’ll recommend the right Chevron Group II or NEXBASE™ Group III grade, get a sample on the way, and quote lead time today.