Would you buy this

[ortholithiation]

Been laid off and have had some ideas as a result.

Would you buy a motoroil that had a colour indicator in it that changed from lets say red to blue to let you know that your oil should be changed?

Good idea or bad idea??

[Holland]

Different driving conditions yield different wear times for oil, so there really isn't a way to accurately decipher when it needs to be changed.

[Danny]

If you've just been laid off you're obviously not smart enough to invent that.

[ortholithiation]

Not to give up the how but it would change once the main anti-wear package of the oil was used up.

Lets just say for all intensive purposes I have something that works. Might not be to the exact KM, but would people buy it? Even as a gimick used by established motor oils.

[Holland]

You would also have loads of specifications, emissions, and laws to adhere to. I see what you are saying but how would you manage to change the color when the additives are used up? Not to mention also most oil turns very dark after the first few runs so color wouldn't matter much. I'm not trying to shoot you down, but oil is a very large and complex business.

[ortholithiation]

I am an organic chemist by trade, but I can't give away the trade secret. (It works).
Yes the motor oil turns black quickly alarmed me, but if you to blot on a tissue you should clearly see if it was red or blue. Emission and regulations is what alarm me the most.
Oil is a complex business but lubricants are actually rather simple downstream industry. It is simply base oil with an additive package. Like beer though, you are drinking/using what’s on the label most of the time.
Very much appreciate the constructive criticism, and I mean that sincerely.

[Holland]

I am an organic chemist by trade, but I can't give away the trade secret. (It works).
Yes the motor oil turns black quickly alarmed me, but if you to blot on a tissue you should clearly see if it was red or blue. Emission and regulations is what alarm me the most.
Oil is a complex business but lubricants are actually rather simple downstream industry. It is simply base oil with an additive package. Like beer though, you are drinking/using what’s on the label most of the time.
Very much appreciate the constructive criticism, and I mean that sincerely.

What might be a possibly better route is patenting the color changing properties and selling it to the oil companies?

[briansjacobs]

as a car enthusiast I would have no need for it. I can not speak for others, I change my street cars based on miles and my race cars based on hours.

[geezerman402]

Not to give up the how but it would change once the main anti-wear package of the oil was used up.

Lets just say for all intensive purposes I have something that works. Might not be to the exact KM, but would people buy it? Even as a gimick used by established motor oils.

Urgh.

Regardless... so many newer cars (or old luxury cars) have a light or warning whenever it's time to change the oil. The older cars that don't are either driven by enthusiasts, or on the verge of death anyway. It really doesn't seem marketable.

[homegrone30]

But motor oil does change color to tell you just like your bong it turns black when you gotta change it.

[Vince30]

Urgh.

Regardless... so many newer cars (or old luxury cars) have a light or warning whenever it's time to change the oil. The older cars that don't are either driven by enthusiasts, or on the verge of death anyway. It really doesn't seem marketable.

This is what I was thinking. It would have been a great invention 10 years ago.

[Axxe]

Not a single person I know that isn't an enthusiast checks their oil. Ever.

[F34R]

Not a single person I know that isn't an enthusiast checks their oil. Ever.

1+ and those that are check it. So I think the oil is a fail.

[AbsorbantNut]

I think you should sell the design to do it because you would have to establish your own oil company just to start selling it. But sounds like a cool idea

[ortholithiation]

What might be a possibly better route is patenting the color changing properties and selling it to the oil companies?

Pretty much what I was thinking from the start.

I realize the true practicality of this invention is limited, but as a marketing gimmick for the masses I'm wondering if it would work. Could it help get a motor oil 10% more sales out there.

The colour change/additive would make up less then 0.5wt% of the oil.