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Cd · 12-06-2015, 12:33 PM

Dumb question of the day :

My car exhaust smells like motor oil ( a sweetish smell ) just after an oil change, but after short while ( 250 miles ) it begins to smell like regular car exhaust.

I would think that the car produces less emissions with fresh oil, but is this the case ? My cars exhaust is pretty strong now, but the oil is still a dark honey color.

What causes a stronger exhaust smell ? Is it a sign that the oil is breaking down, and producing more emissions ?

Also, is synthetic motor oil better for the environment ? What about just using recycled motor oil ?

" The Lesser of Two Evils
Conventional motor oils are derived from petroleum, whereas synthetic oils are replicas manufactured from chemicals that are really no kinder to the environment than petroleum. As such, conventional and synthetic motor oils are about equally guilty when it comes to how much pollution they create. "

Source : Motor Oil -- Synthetic or Conventional Motor Oil -- Which is Better for the Environment?

Lastly, read the first line of the text on this bottle of Valovoline NextGen oil :

" oil doesn't completely wear out ( it simply gets dirty ) "

So what else cause a strong exhaust smell ?

Thanks !

12-06-2015, 12:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cd Ultimate Fail Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 2,872 Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts	Emissions and motor oil / What can you tell from a cars exhaust smell ? Dumb question of the day : My car exhaust smells like motor oil ( a sweetish smell ) just after an oil change, but after short while ( 250 miles ) it begins to smell like regular car exhaust. I would think that the car produces less emissions with fresh oil, but is this the case ? My cars exhaust is pretty strong now, but the oil is still a dark honey color. What causes a stronger exhaust smell ? Is it a sign that the oil is breaking down, and producing more emissions ? Also, is synthetic motor oil better for the environment ? What about just using recycled motor oil ? " The Lesser of Two Evils Conventional motor oils are derived from petroleum, whereas synthetic oils are replicas manufactured from chemicals that are really no kinder to the environment than petroleum. As such, conventional and synthetic motor oils are about equally guilty when it comes to how much pollution they create. " Source : Motor Oil -- Synthetic or Conventional Motor Oil -- Which is Better for the Environment? Lastly, read the first line of the text on this bottle of Valovoline NextGen oil : " oil doesn't completely wear out ( it simply gets dirty ) " So what else cause a strong exhaust smell ? Thanks !