Every thread on every forum involving cars or trucks and oil/additives will end up just like this. There is lots and lots of money at stake and it's in the best interest of all the manufacturers and retailers to keep it that way. Opinions are strong, anecdotal evidence rules the day. Two things to help guide you through the mess. API, American Petroleum Institute, SAE, Society of Automotive Engineers. In a very generic sense, API rates quality, SAE rates viscosity. API S ratings are for spark ignition engines, C ratings are for compression ignition engines. Some conventional oils and some synthetics carry API quality ratings for both S and C applications, some do not. Oils listed for "high mileage" are allowed slightly more ZZDP in the chemistry than the latest S rated oils with the DEXOS designation. Oils sold as synthetic blends are impossible to qualify IMO. A semi-synthetic oil blend can be 10% synthetic up to 90% synthetic, there is no standard. It would be in the best interest of profit to keep the % low. I have been in this business almost 50 years, still waiting to see my first engine failure CAUSED by the engine oil. Oil can contribute to engine failure, sure. Try and prove it!. My advice FWIW, use the correct SAE viscosity for your application. Use full synthetic oil for the best possible engine protection. Use the API S or C rated oil for the approximate age/mileage/ design of the engine. Use any major, recognized brand of oil you like. NO ADDITIVES OF ANY TYPE are needed after break-in of a new engine if the above guidelines are followed. (full disclosure) My race team is sponsored by Valvoline, I use all Valvoline lubricants.
|