Motors need oil to run, and the standard motor oil we've been using for years is made from fossil fuel. Oil manufacturers have been under fire for the rising cost of products made from fossil fuel and recent oil spills that damage the environment. This has led many companies to seek alternative ways to manufacture environmentally friendly motor oil.
Since the United States declared its intention to decrease its reliance on foreign oil, the regular gasoline Americans put in their cars contains at least 10 percent ethanol, and other grades have much more. Unless the right kind of motor oil is used, engine parts can become oxidized from acids formed by ethanol. A special type of oil called Lubrilon is sold at auto parts stores to protect engine parts against damage from fuel containing ethanol. Lubrilon was originally formulated as an engine treatment.
A growing number of researchers are experimenting with vegetable oils to see if these substances can be used as substitutes for motor oil. A specialist at the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension successfully used canola oil to make a lubricant that has better emission standards than traditional motor oil. Although many countries around the world use canola motor oil, and some states in the U.S. are negotiating to use the oil in state-owned vehicles, canola is not yet widely accepted as a motor oil substitute. Auto manufacturers require owners to use oil approved by the American Petroleum Institute to maintain warranty protection. Since canola oil is a plant-based oil rather than a petroleum product, the API hasn't certified it.
Green Earth Technologies has been selling two- and four-cycle 10W30 oil for use in small tractors and lawn mowers under the name "G-Oil." The API has certified this biodegradable oil, which is made from fat left over from the slaughter of beef, and granted a seal indicating that G-Oil conserves energy. This animal-based oil is sold at a number of national auto parts stores and several major home-improvement chains.
An entrepreneur on the South Pacific Island of Vanuatu uses pure coconut oil instead of petroleum in slightly modified diesel engines. Coconut oil is an environmentally friendly fuel that doesn't produce black smoke and costs less than traditional diesel fuel. Operators of mini-buses on the island that used a mixture of coconut oil and diesel fuel had to begin paying higher taxes for using a fuel mix, but pure coconut oil is not subject to the tax.
