Quicksilver 4-Cycle marine engine lubricant is a specially blended oil which is

intended for use in our MerCruiser products. This is not an off the shelf automo
tive type lubricant but is specially formulated to incorporate the features need
ed to satisfy the unique operating environment of marine products.
Quicksilver oil is classified as a 25W40 multiviscosity lubricant. The multivisc
osity properties are obtained by blending very special base stocks eliminating t
he need for the synthetic polymers commonly used to give automotive lubricants t
heir multiviscosity properties. Quicksilver oil is a Newtonian fluid which means
that the viscosity does not change with the rate of flow. Automotive oils using
a synthetic polymer to make a 10 weight base oil have the added viscometric pro
perties of a 30 or 40 weight oil are called non-Newtonian fluids. The viscosity
does tend to change with flow rate due to the "shearing" or breaking apart of th
e long "strands" of the polymer. There are some polymers which experience perman
ent shear loss resulting in a subsequent change in viscosity.
MerCruiser products are designed to operate at very high speeds and loads when c
ompared to a passenger car. These extreme operating conditions can shear the pol
ymers used in some automotive oils. The result is a dramatic loss in oil pressur
e and potential engine damage. To eliminate this problem and still provide a lub
ricant capable of being used throughout a range of operating temperatures and co
nditions. Quicksilver 25W40 is formulated without any polymers.
The requirements of a marine lubricant extend beyond the need to perform well at
high speeds and loads. Extended periods of idle or trolling create the need for
the oil to continue to function even when diluted with fuel and moisture. Quick
silver 25W40 has a unique "marine" additive package to deal with the potential p
roblems caused by these operating conditions. Some of the polymers used in multi
viscosity oils are hygroscopic (water gathering) and form a light brown emulsion
usually observed in the crankcase breather areas. The marine environment, being
very "wet" tends to accentuate this problem. Emulsified polymer is no longer av
ailable to help the 10 weight base oil maintain 30 or 40 weight properties.