GS Caltex processed exports make up 63% of total sales

GS Caltex upgrades to high-tech refining
Though entirely dependent on imports of raw fuel, processed exports make up 63% of total sales

GS Caltex’s industrial complex down in Yeosu, South Jeolla Provided by the company

YEOSU, South Jeolla - Under the scorching summer heat last Thursday, oil was being transferred to a 15-meter (50-foot) tower at a GS Caltex processing plant that had all the marks of a highly precise operation. Though it was a weekday, only a handful of employees were in sight at the site of the nation’s second-largest oil refiner, as major investments in recent years have automated much of the work.

The business is an unlikely one for Korea, which has no oil of its own, but is driven by the incredible opportunity for profit in the refinery business. Though GS Caltex imports all of its oil, it earned $20 billion in exports last year - the most export revenue earned by any Korean company except Samsung Electronics.

Refining is not easy work and is done under high security. Hydrogen and other chemical catalysts must be added to imported oil to create higher quality products.

In recent years, the company has been investing heavily in upgrading its automated systems to develop higher quality refined products, such as diesel and kerosene, which are in demand overseas.

China is the biggest importer of GS Caltex among 18 countries, including the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Singapore and Brazil, as it purchases 30 percent of total exports. The processing plant in Yeosu is the core of the company’s business as it produces fuel that accounts for 81 percent of annual sales.

Exports themselves account for 63 percent of GS Caltex’s total sales. And executives are happy to brag about this fact.

“It is worth celebrating that an oil refiner in a country that does not have a drop of oil gets most of its returns from overseas,” said Kim Seong-min, vice president of GS Caltex’s operations planning division based in Yeosu. “We think that it’s the right way for an energy company to create revenue.”

To maximize export revenue, GS Caltex has been shifting from producing low-quality Bunker C to more refined fuels, and from 2008, the company has increased the money it earns from exports by $5 billion from $15 billion. Part of this increase is because there’s more to be earned from higher-quality fuel.

Bunker C was traded at $104 per barrel as of Friday, whereas the lighter and more expensive diesel was traded at $126 per barrel and kerosene was traded at $125 per barrel, according to the Korea National Oil Corporation.

And locally, demand has decreased for less-refined fuels.

Bunker C was once widely used due to its low price tag, but increased awareness about its negative environmental impact means it is no longer the fuel of choice. Now mostly used to fuel ships, Bunker C has a high sulfur content that pollutes the air when burned.

In 1997, 160 million barrels of Bunker C were consumed locally, but that number dropped to 61 million barrels in 2010.

Kim said that focusing on more refined products is “one of the ways for us to create greater revenue and also think about the environmental impact.”

To increase the production of such high-quality fuels, GS Caltex said that it will complete a fourth heavy-fuel refinery next year.

After the facility is up and running, the company will have the largest refining capacity in Korea, with the facilities to process 268,000 barrels of refined fuel per day.

“Investing in upgrading facilities that turn Bunker C into higher quality products is part of the company’s contribution to the expansion of green growth,” said Hur Dong-soo, GS Caltex’s chairman. “Although the cost that goes into the establishment of such facilities is high, we should see it as investing in a business that has a huge potential.”

The company, which set up its first refinery in 1995, has invested more than 5.6 trillion won ($4.9 billion) since 2005 to build the new plant and upgrade its current facilities.

GS Caltex also completed an asphalt-processing plant last year that upgrades the lowest-level material left from the regular oil refining process to diesel and kerosene equivalents.

The extreme profitability of the refining business has drawn the attention of the Board of Audit and Inspection recently, which asked the federal government to eliminate the 10 percent corporate tax break given to oil refiners when they upgrade their facilities. Though originally meant to encourage such upgrades, some officials now believe that reducing the companies’ tax burden is imprudent given their large profits.

But GS Caltex said that while it is aware of the board’s recommendation, the change in tax policy is not terribly worrisome.

“Whether we get the tax break or not has very little influence on our operations. So of course we will continue to focus on heavy-oil processing regardless,” said Lee Sang-hoon, managing director of GS Caltex’s communications team.

from http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2952796

Kixx is the engine oil products of GS Caltex.

GS Caltex was founded in 1967 as a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and LG Group of South Korea. Now Kixx australia is opened. and It is ready to sell online. We ship to Australiawide!!

cheapest price for the high quality of petrol engine oil, diesel engine oil :)

Visit our website to check the products.

link to Kixx Australia online store

we also have ebay store.

link to Kixx Australia Ebay store

We are very proud to introduce the leading GS Caltex brand "KIXX" lubricants.

Australia's Wonderland is coming back to Sydney!

Australia's Wonderland is coming back to Sydney! Wonderland is set to be re-built in an area located in the SW or western area of Sydney.

Excited? Did you ever visit the old Wonderland?

Wonderland Sydney

Theme park in Sydney, New South Wales

Closed: April 26, 2004

Opened: December 7, 1985

Wonderland Sydney, originally known as Australia's Wonderland was a theme park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park was the largest one in the southern hemisphere. It remained open for almost 19 years and was the premier theme park in New South Wales for much of its life but closed in 2004. Its final day of trading was 26 April 2004.

---

Kixx is the engine oil products of GS Caltex.

GS Caltex was founded in 1967 as a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and LG Group of South Korea. Now Kixx australia is opened. and It is ready to sell online. We ship to Australiawide!!

cheapest price for the high quality of petrol engine oil, diesel engine oil :)

Visit our website to check the products.

link to Kixx Australia online store

we also have ebay store.

link to Kixx Australia Ebay store

We are very proud to introduce the leading GS Caltex brand "KIXX" lubricants.

[Engine oil recommendations] GS Caltex - Kixx PAO 1

Engine oil recommendations

GS Caltex Engine Oil

Kixx PAO 1

http://www.kixxaustralia.com.au/products/premium-engine-oil/kixx-pao-1/

We are the exporter and supplier of GS Caltex Engine Oil - Kixx

We, Paco Professionals Pty Ltd., are the exporter and supplier of GS Caltex engine oil for automobiles, motors & vehicles, such as engine oil, gear oil, mission oil, grease, brake oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, oil treatment,,,,, etc.

As you may know,GS Caltex engine oil is one of the world famous oil & engine oil manufacturers like Mobil, Esso & Shell on the basis of its highest quality. Our GS Caltex engine oil is produced by GS Group[LG Group] of companies & Caltex joint venture company.

Now, GS Caltex engine oil is exported to Russia, Japan, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Bangladesh ,,, etc.

Kixx PAO  API SN/CF, ACEA A3/B3-08,  A3/B4-08,C3-08 recommended

Description

Premium performance, multi-grade motor oil formulated from selected synthetic base fluids and race-proven additive technology for use in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines and passenger car diesel engines under all operating conditions. It is optimized to provide complete engine protection plus ultimate performance.

Applications

• Naturally aspirated Gasoline engines, LPG and Diesel engines in passenger cars
• Light truck gasoline and diesel engines
• Recommended for use in gasoline and diesel powered RV and SUVs(Sport Utility Vehicles)
• Common Rail Direct Injection engine in passenger cars
• Passenger cars with high speed, four-stroke, turbocharged and EGR, DPF.
• Four-stroke gasoline engines in motorcycles and portable power equipment where the manufacturer recommends conventional passenger car motor oils

Performance Standards

• 0W-30 : SN Recommended A1/B1-08, A5/B5-08, C2-08 Recommended MB, VW, BMW, Porsche recommended
• 0W-40 : SN Recommended A3/B3-08, A3/B4-08, C3-08 Recommended MB, VW, BMW, Porsche recommended
• 5W-30 : SN/CF A3/B3-08, A3/B4-08, C3-08 Recommended BMW LL-01, LL-04, MB 229.51/229.31, VW 502.00/505.00
• 5W-40 : SN/CF A3/B3-08, A3/B4-08, C3-08 BMW LL-01/ LL-04, MB229.51/229.31, VW 502.00/505.00, Porsche

Customer Benefits

Maximizes engine life

The wider temperature range capability of the synthetic base fluid ensures correct oil viscosity which reduces friction at startup, and provides maximum lubrification during high temperature operation. The effective anti-wear additive system minimizes wear in even the most sophisticated valve train mechanisms, including those with variable valve timing.

Maximizes power and performance

Metallic detergent and ashless dispersant additive system ensures maximum power and performance by providing superior control of the ring belt and the piston skirt deposits, even under the most severe operating conditions. Special friction modifiers assist in reducing friction resulting in maximum fuel economy.

Low oil consumption

Synthetic, highly shear-stable formulation provides superior control of oil flow through the ring belt area by maintaining oil viscosity, and reduces oil evaporation at the elevated ring zone temperatures experienced under all operating conditions.

Longer equipment life

Special anti-wear additive package reduces wear by protecting surfaces when load causes breakdown of the lubricant film.

Lower impact emissions

Highly advanced additive technology delivers reduction in harmful exhaust emissions. This advanced technology performance, enhanced by low phosphorus and sulfur formulation (low SAPS) reduces ash

Specifications

---

PAO oil vs PAG oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKWA_XAKdtw

Benefits of PAO Oil

Demonstration reveals:

- A clear separation between the refrigerant and the PAO Oil.

- PAO Oil remains with the compressor, therefore giving better protection to the moving parts.

- PAO improves efficiency.

- Regrigerant is not diluted by the PAO Oil which allows the A/C system to operate more effectively.

---

Test result for heating up to 400 degrees.

http://kixxengineoil.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/eclipse-results-of-testing-of-engine.html

---

Kixx is the engine oil products of GS Caltex.

GS Caltex was founded in 1967 as a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and LG Group of South Korea. Now Kixx australia is opened. and It is ready to sell online. We ship to Australiawide!!

cheapest price for the high quality of petrol engine oil, diesel engine oil :)

Visit our website to check the products.

link to Kixx Australia online store

we also have ebay store.

link to Kixx Australia Ebay store

We are very proud to introduce the leading GS Caltex brand "KIXX" lubricants.

[Engine oil change] Kia sportage R

Engine oil change for Kia Sportage R

With GS Caltex Kixx PAO

This is the Kia Sportage which is gonna change the Engine oil this time 

Put the Engine Flushing Oil

Taking used oil out

 Change Oil Filter

 Change Engine Oil

Eclipse. Results of testing of engine oils.

Kixx PAO1 SAE 0W40

Kixx NEO SAE 0W30

Upon heating, oil fall into three visually distinguishable to the light phase. This is clearly seen in the illustrations:



Yellow rim - the light fraction from distillation - its viscosity units cSt. It's almost that "oily water."




A specific example - hydraulic oil with a low content of additives.



We can consider the mouthpiece tube refrigerator, "Ride" through the dozens of oil samples - its deposits are completely analogous to the type that you see under the covers of their cars, if they are safely isolated from the oil flow and they are not washed.

Castrol EDGE SAE 0W40 A3 / B4 FST

ORIGINAL BMW LONGLIFE QUALITY LL-01 SAE 0W40

ORIGINAL BMW LONGLIFE QUALITY LL-01FE SAE 0W30

Information of engine oil - Straight talk about engine oil

GS Caltex launched a new brand for lubricants, 'Kixx'

GS Caltex Corp. (headed by Dongsoo Hur) launched a new engine oil brand named 'Kixx' and re-titled its all six products including gasoline, diesel, LPG and launched a aggressive marketing campaign.

The newly released products are 'Kixx PAO', 'Kixx G1', 'Kixx D1', 'Kixx Turbo RV', 'Kixx LPG', 'Kixx CNG', 'Kixx CNG' that boasts premium performance and target all kinds of vehicles (run on gasoline, diesel, RV, LPG, CNG).

- Kixx PAO is a multi-grade motor oil of premium performance made of 100% synthetic base fluids and satifies the standards of the 1st grade of the API(American Petroleum Institute) and is applicable to vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel, LPG.

- Kixx G1 is a representative gasoline engine oil and uses special additive fluids so that increase fuel efficiency and reduces noise

- Kixx D1 is a representative diesel engine excellent at protecting and cleaning engines

Especially, Kixx G1 won the best green award in the engine oil area contest organized by the Korea Management Association, both Kixx G1 and Kixx D1 was recognized as environmentally friendly oil product.

GS Caltex revamped its advertising boards and made some creative twist to package design to reflect its newly released products'distinctive function and images. For easy distinction between products, it differs colors of the package of each lubricant; gold for gasoline, green for diesel.

A person from GS Caltax said "The purpose of naming all our representative engine oil products as Kixx is to make the best use of powerful and dynamic images that the brand 'Kixx' which was launched as a name of gasoline product with the company's new CI in March."

Kixx is the engine oil products of GS Caltex.

GS Caltex was founded in 1967 as a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and LG Group of South Korea. Now Kixx australia is opened. and It is ready to sell online. We ship to Australiawide!!

cheapest price for the high quality of petrol engine oil, diesel engine oil :)

Visit our website to check the products.

link to Kixx Australia online store

we also have ebay store.

link to Kixx Australia Ebay store

We are very proud to introduce the leading GS Caltex brand "KIXX" lubricants.

[Asian cup] AUSTRALIA: ROAD TO THE FINAL

Sydney: Competing in only their third AFC Asian Cup, Australia are now one step away from claiming Asia’s biggest prize on home soil. Join the-afc.com as we take a look at the Socceroos’ path to the final and their potentially titanic struggle with Korea Republic.

GROUP A: AUSTRALIA 4-1 KUWAIT

Hosts Australia went into the 2015 AFC Asian Cup carrying the hopes of a nation but the burden of expectations didn’t weigh them down as Ange Postecoglou’s side played with a vigour that justified their status as one of the tournament favourites, running out comfortable 4-1 winners over Kuwait, despite Hussain Fadhel threatening to rain on their parade in an overcast and often drizzly Melbourne with the opening goal.

Conceding in the eighth minute did nothing to dent the Socceroos’ confidence and may even have caused them to up their tempo as first-half goals Tim Cahill (33rd) and Samsung Player of the Match Massimo Luongo (45th) as well as a 62nd minute penalty from skipper Mile Jedinak and James Troisi’s strike in second-half stoppage-time sealed an impressive opening win.

GROUP A: AUSTRALIA 4-0 OMAN

With Mile Jedinak out injured, veteran Tim Cahill took over the captain’s armband to lead a side that showed three changes to the starting 11 as Postecoglou utilised has attacking options against an Oman outfit that had made Korea Republic work hard for their narrow 1-0 victory in their Group A curtain raiser.

And the speed of the hosts proved too much for Paul Le Guen’s side as the 50,000 fans in Stadium Australia in Sydney were treated to another scintillating show from the Socceroos with goals from Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Mark Milligan and Tomi Juric sealing Australia’s place in the quarter-finals.

GROUP A: AUSTRALIA 0-1 KOREA REPUBLIC

Both Australia and Korea Republic had secured their place in the last eight, but the clash between the two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was far from a dead rubber with the thinking at the time being that a top of the table finish would, in theory, offer an easier route to the final with the likelihood of avoiding defending champions Japan until the January 31 finale.

For the third successive match Postecoglou varied his attacking line up but this time the changes didn’t have the desired effect as a well-organised Korean side proved a much sterner test than both Kuwait and Oman with Lee Jeong-hyeop’s 33rd minute winner seeing the Socceroos have to settle for second in the Group A standings.

QUARTER-FINAL: AUSTRALIA 2-0 CHINA

Australia’s runners-up finish in the Group A table saw them come up against the Group B winners, who came in the unexpected shape of a resurgent China side that had topped the table ahead of Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and DPR Korea with a 100% record.

Alain Perrin’s side had the better of the early exchanges in the first half but were made to pay for their profligacy when Australia’s leading goal scorer Tim Cahill extended his record to 39 with an audacious bicycle kick four minutes after the interval and then a trademark header in the 68th minute as the Socceroos emerged as the only side to win their quarter-final without the need for extra-time or penalties.

SEMI-FINAL: AUSTRALIA 2-0 UAE

Having impressed in the Group Stage and booked their place in the final four with a shock elimination of defending champions Japan, Australia were not going to take the UAE lightly but any nerves on the pitch or in the stands at Newcastle Stadium were settled after Trent Sainsbury opened the scoring in the third minute with his first international goal.

Fellow defender Jason Davidson also opened his national team scoring account 11 minutes later to become the 10th player in Postecoglou’s squad to get their name on the score sheet and while the UAE occasionally showed their attacking potential the Socceroos saw out the remainder of the match quite comfortably to reach the AFC Asian Cup final for the second time after finishing runners-up in 2011.

from http://www.afcasiancup.com/news/en/australia-road-to-the-final/rfjkmfcpzqxh1q78p7a210su4

[Asian cup] KOREA REPUBLIC: ROAD TO THE FINAL

Korea Republic are in the #ACFinal!

Sydney: With Korea Republic one win away from sealing their first AFC Asian Cup title success since 1960, the-afc.comtakes a look at how Uli Stielike’s side have reached the reached Saturday’s final showdown with Australia.

Group A: Korea Republic 1-0 Oman

Entering their joint-record 13th AFC Asian Cup tournament, Korea Republic were, in the words of skipper Ki Sung-yeung, keen to get off to a flying start in their opening match against Oman.

The two-time champions had the better of the first half but only had Cho Young-cheol’s close-range strike in first-half stoppage time to show for their efforts and with Oman giving a better account of themselves after the interval, the Qatar-based forward’s first international goal was ultimately all that separated the two sides at the end of a hard-fought opener for Stielike’s charges.

Group A: Korea Republic 1-0 Kuwait

With illness and injuries giving Stielike selection headaches, the German coach made seven changes to the side that started against Oman and for the second successive match the Koreans found it tough going against Gulf opposition, edging Kuwait for the narrow victory that saw them become the first team at Australia 2015 to guarantee their place in the knockout stage.

After a cagey start to their second Group A fixture, Korea Republic took the lead through Nam Tae-hee’s 35th minute header and while Kuwait, who had impressed in spells during their loss to Australia despite going down 4-1 to the tournament hosts, created a number of chances in a strong second-half show, the midfielder’s first-half goal was enough to settle the contest in favour of the Koreans.

Group A: Korea Republic 1-0 Australia

The top-of-table-clash brought together the tournament’s best attack in the shape of a Socceroos side that had scored eight times in their first two matches and one it’s meanest defences, with the Koreans one of just three teams who went into their third Group Stage fixture without having conceded a goal.

And as it transpired, the Koreans completed a hat-trick of clean sheets as they finished at the Group A summit with Lee Jeong-hyeop scoring what ultimately transpired to be the winner 12 minutes from the interval when the he got the slightest touch onto a cross from former AFC Player of the Year Lee Kuen-ho as the Taeguk Warriors marched into quarter-finals with a 100% record.

Quarter-final: Korea Republic 2-0 Uzbekistan (aet)

Neither side could break the deadlock after 90 minutes of thoroughly entertaining football at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium despite both having their fair share of chances, with the best opportunity falling to Uzbek substitute Lutfulla Turaev, who headed wide in the 78th minute with the Korean goal at his mercy.

After struggling with illness in the Group Stage, Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung-min finally lived up to his star billing by netting both of the Taeguk Warriors’ extra-time goals, with the back-to-back KFA Footballer of the Year putting the East Asians’ one up with a 104th minute header before securing the semi-final ticket five minutes into the second period with an unstoppable drive from Cha Du-ri’s cutback.

Semi-final: Korea Republic 2-0 Iraq

Korea Republic reached the final of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1988 with a 2-0 victory over a spirited Iraq side whose epic quarter-final win over Iran no doubt took its toll on the players towards the end of their battle with the Taeguk Warriors.

Stielike’s side took the attacking initiative from the start and were rewarded after 20 minutes when Lee Jeong-hyeop headed home his second goal of the tournament before chesting the ball into the path of Kim Young-gwon for the Guangzhou Evergrande defender to fire in the 50th minute winner as the Koreans avenged their 2007 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Iraq.

from http://www.afcasiancup.com/news/en/korea-republic-road-to-the-final/eyaa3nc0f8lt16eqdbwvlmjb6

Top 5 Reasons Your Car Is Vibrating

Own a car long enough and there's a good chance you'll develop auto problems of some nature. And one of the most common and most bothersome problems is vibration. What's more, it often creeps up on you gradually and subtly -- until one day you find yourself wondering how you ever put up with such an annoyance.

Perhaps then you asked yourself, what does it mean if my car is vibrating? While there's no substitute for the assessment of someone with an extensive automotive background, you can develop a good feel yourself for diagnosing car problems that are relatively common, such as vibrations.

The fix could be something relatively cheap and simple, like a tire rotation or balance. Or it could signal more serious auto problems -- something more costly, like steering or suspension issues.

Diagnosing car trouble in its early stages may seem like a hassle at first, but you have to remember that it can often save you from bigger car trouble (and bigger repair bills) down the road.

If your vehicle shakes, shimmies or vibrates out of the ordinary, or if you're just interested in preventing those conditions in the first place, keep reading. This article will take a look at the top 5 reasons behind a vibrating car.

1. Tire Problem

We listed tires last, and made them reason #1, since they are so frequently the source of your car's moving vibrations.

The full list of ways in which tire issues can contribute to your vehicular shake, rattle and roll is a long one. But here are just some of the major ones:

• Car vibrates at certain speeds -- requires tire balance
• Tires have separated tread -- requires tire replacement
• Uneven tire wear -- requires tire rotation
• Tires are "out of round" and roll unevenly - requires tire replacement

Sometimes it isn't the tires, but rather the wheels they're wrapped around that cause your car or truck to vibrate when driven. Watch out for potholes and sloppy road repairs which can both be equally hazardous to your wheels.

Also, keep in mind that these five reasons your car is vibrating aren't the only possible culprits. When in doubt, it's always a good idea to see an automotive service professional.

2. Wobbly Wheels

Often, you'll feel your car vibrating directly through your steering wheel. And one seemingly logical thing to guess is that an alignment issue might be the culprit. But car experts often advise otherwise.

One or more wheels may suffer from excessive "play," or wobbliness, at the hub itself. The diagnosis and cure for this is pretty involved, as it could point to any of a number of issues. First, let's just assume that each wheel is fastened securely to its hub with properly torqued lug nuts.

With that out of the way, the solution to a shaky wheel might entail replacing the wheel bearings. On most modern vehicles, wheel bearings are meant to last the life of the car or truck. But as you may already know, if you subject your vehicle to worse-than-typical wear-and-tear (off-roading, extremely hard driving, high mileage), it's not unheard-of for bearings to wear out.

Another thing to look for is "runout." This is the term that describes how much a wheel deviates from a perfectly circular rotation when it is spun. Wheel technicians use precision instruments to determine if runout on any particular wheel exceeds half an inch. Much of the time -- but not all the time -- the solution is a new wheel.

Other sources of wiggling, wobbly wheels include the tie-rod ends or ball joints. If they're worn out, they'll allow too much play in the wheel. At driving speeds, this translates to annoying vibration.

Wheels prove to be a common culprit when tracking down reasons for why a car is vibrating. But we can narrow it down even more. For our top reason your car is vibrating, go to the next page.

3. Brake Trouble

Do those bad vibrations appear or intensify when you apply the brakes? If so, there's a strong possibility that your car is tooling about with a warped brake rotor, or rotors.

The rotor is the shiny, silver disc-shaped component on vehicles with a disc brake system. The rotor can get bent out of shape due to heavy wear and tear -- basically, overheating from more stopping than that particular rotor can handle. Instead of being uniformly flat all the way across, a deformed rotor is raised or lowered on part of its surface. Thecalipers and brake pads, which squeeze the brake rotors to make the car stop, can't get an even grip on a warped rotor. Hence, vibration.

If you're not handy with a wrench, it's a good idea to see a brake specialist who can tell you the condition of your vehicle's rotors or brake drums (on cars with rear drum brakes).

4. Axel Problems

Our vehicles are full of reciprocating, rotating parts that have to fall within certain measurements, or tolerances, in order to perform properly.

If an axle gets bent -- which is actually quite easy to do in a collision or other mishap -- it will create a jostle of a ride afterward. With this problem, the vibrating often picks up in intensity the faster you drive.

A related problem would be that the driveshaft also needs inspection. This rapidly spinning part transfers engine power to the rear axles and wheels in rear-wheel drive vehicles. If it's bent, shaking may result.

Worn-out constant velocity (CV) joints fall under the same category. If the "boots" -- those rubber, accordion-like coverings around the ends of the drive axles -- are intact, clamps are secure, and no lubricant is seeping out, chances are they're not the problem. But if the boots are torn, that means dirt and dust and road filth is getting in and damaging the joints. For front-wheel drive cars, toasted CV joints mean you'll be buying new drive axles, too.

5. Engine Problems

Sometimes a shake or shudder will emanate from the engine compartment, because the engine isn't getting enough air, fuel or spark that it needs to run smoothly.

Symptoms that might indicate such an engine-related case of the shakes include the following:

• Shudder or jerking occurs during acceleration
• Staccato shaking, as if over a highway "rumble strip," within a specific speed range
• Car starts and drives fine for a while, but later begins to shake

These symptoms could be signaling that it's time for a new set of spark plugs. If the plugs are fine, it could be that the spark plug wires need to be checked (are they connected in the proper order?) or replacing.

Lastly, a dirty air filter or clogged fuel filter can starve the engine of needed oxygen or fuel, respectively. So be sure to replace them at the manufacturer's recommended intervals.

from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/body/5-reasons-car-vibrating.htm

Conventional vs Synthetic engine oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5SngB0mAUQ

Video about Conventional vs Synthetic engine oil

The next time you walk in to your local shop to get your oil changed and the service attendant asks you synthetic or regular? You just might have to think twice before you answer...for the sake of your wallet, and yes, the environment too!

First off, synthetic oil is better than conventional oil when it comes to its form and function. Conventional oil could never stand up to synthetic when it comes to longevity and ability to handle extreme high temperatures without breaking down.

But all this advanced technology doesn't come cheap. A synthetic oil change can cost over twice as much as conventional oil...but is it worth it beyond its obvious better performance characteristics?
This is not exactly a straight yes or no answer to go along with this question as there are several variables to consider, but in general, most experts would agree that synthetic is (for now) the lesser of the two evils.

Their logic stems from the fact that while conventional oil is evil because it is derived from petroleum, synthetics are unfortunately formed by chemicals that are no less harmful to the environment... but there is a difference here. Synthetics can last as much as three times longer than conventional oil, which means that you could be dumping less than 15 to 24 quarts of oil per year.
This is of course assuming that you are not recycling your used oil, because if you are, at least a good portion of this oil should be getting reused, but it is quite an extensive process to filter used oil for reuse...so the question still remains, which is better?

For your pocket book, there is not much of a difference if you allow your oil change cycles to last longer with synthetic. There is a debate on when you should change your oil, because the age old consensus has always been every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

With todays technology, synthetics are cleaner and meaner (just not necessarily any greener). Their composition is much cleaner, because it is derived in a laboratory rather than nature, and it has been proven to have a lower volatility and therefore not vaporize out the exhaust as quickly.

Synthetics have also been shown to produce less resistance in the engine and therefore offer more horsepower and overall efficiency for the engine. This added horsepower in return means that the engine will be able to perform at the same level as before, but using slightly less gas.

Depending on where you drive (dusty, dirty climates), and how much and far you drive (shorter distances don't heat oil enough to boil off condensation in the engine), you can probably last between oil changes for 10,000, 15,000, on up to 20,000 miles with some brands of synthetic.

There is a middle choice to make things even more confusing, the synthetic blend. This mixes the two together to give you a moderately better oil at better cost to you. These don't quite have the longevity of the full synthetics, so it really all comes out in the wash in the end.

If you want to be on the safe side, you can follow what your manufacturer recommends as far as oil goes. In general more performance oriented vehicles require synthetic because of the high heat that builds in these engines, whereas conventional engines don't require anything special.

While synthetics appear to be the more environmentally friendly choice for the moment, there is hope for a vegetable oil (such as canola) alternative that would beat synthetic in both form and function, as well as production price. But the same problem exists here as it does for some biofuel alternatives.
We would have to surrender part of our agricultural crops for food, to produce these crops for motor oil. Food for the planet...or a cleaner environment, why is there never a clearcut choice towards the path of least carbon foot resistance?

Until such a time that we have a more obvious choice, we can continue to make our best informed decisions on engine oil. Sometimes it is not so much a choice of right and a wrong, as it is a choice of the lesser of the two wrongs. Of course, if you are considering going electric, you cold bypass this dilemma altogether!

from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/synthetic-conventional-motor-oil.htm

Synthetic Oil Basics

Technically, Synthetic Oil originates as traditional mineral based motor oil. 

What separates the two is the level of advanced engineering, refinement and criteria that goes into this modern engine lubricant.

In short, there is no other routine maintenance contributor that can provide better protection, performance and longevity than today's Synthetic Motor Oils


Extreme Weather Protection:

Under early morning sub-zero winter starts or summertime high temperature stop-and-go traffic, Synthetic Oils are engineered to deliver vital engine protection and reliable performance year-round.


Cold Weather Pour Test:

In this laboratory test, a Synthetic-Oil and a Synthetic-Mineral-Blend have been frozen overnight at minus 40 below. 

This pour test illustrates conclusively the cold-start readiness of Synthetic Oil. 

Even after six minutes, the blended oil can't keep up. 

And, those white globs you see are wax - a standard component of conventional mineral-based motor oil.

Clearly, Synthetic oil is the best way to ensure that your vital engine components are adequately lubricated during cold cranking.


New & Old:

With very few exceptions, Synthetic Oil is a wise choice for all new and older vehicles.

Modern engine components are built to higher tolerances and levels of precision and the superior lubricating properties of Synthetic Oil deliver the finest day-to-day protection against wear. 

Older-engines, performance-engines and power-plants-under-heavy-load can all benefit from the advanced lubrication and low-abrasion attributes of Synthetic Oil. 

In all situations, engine seals and gaskets are protected and remain pliable and effective.


Compliance:

All major auto manufacturers support and specify the use of API certified lubricants and Synthetic Motor Oil meets and even exceeds all standards and criteria.

The advanced additives developed for Synthetic Oil help contribute to cleaner and more efficient operation during the entire span of the recommended oil change interval.

Factory Warranties remain intact, un-compromised and supported.

In any case, the best warranty is the one you never have to use and proper routine maintenance is an effective way to achieve that long-term goal.

Always check your manual and adhere to the manufacturer's recommended grade.


Compatibility:

Today's Synthetic Motor Oil is fully compatible with traditional mineral based oil. 

This means that you can safely upgrade to synthetic oil... or in a pinch, switch back or partially top-up with conventional mineral oil.


Longevity:

When you factor-in a decrease in engine wear and fuel consumption, upgrading to Synthetic Oil can add up to long term savings and better performance throughout the life of your vehicle.

Ultimately, the goal is for fewer repairs, so that you and your car can spend more of your valuable time on the road and not in the shop.


Since they were first commercially introduced in the mid seventies, Synthetic Motor Oils have constantly evolved to serve the needs of motorist and the cars they drive.

Today, there is no better choice than Synthetic Motor Oils for maintaining engine reliability, performance and protection.

Canadian Tire has the selection, service and know-how to help you with all your engine lubricant and maintenance needs.

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZivhWIM0Q8s