Yes....


Errrr I mean yes, I do NOT use any additives . Never ever ever ever.

I use amsoil only and change once in spring, once in fall.

 

No need in modern engines. If you buy an older car (<90's) with unknown maintenance, maybe. The only oil additive I have personally seen "do anything" is Restore as it did help increase and stabilize cylinder pressure on a project 302 I was involved with. The effect is fleeting however and needed to be used like ever other oil change IIRC to keep the benefit. http://www.restoreusa.com/

 

I use this.. Extralube ZX1. I import this to use on my cars ( I think you can get it here in the US now). I have always used it since I can remember and it’s excellent. http://www.zx1aust.com/ The super grease is great stuff.

On a side note my father a doctor of Metallurgy wrote a book on this this subject and was the first guy to discover why Carbon Tetrachloride and other chemicals can give a much better surface finish while machining metals. I spent many hours working with him making samples when he was doing his thesis. In simple terms some chemicals can flow through the metal when it's under severe load and thus reducing the temp. This in term allows a better surface when grinding one metal against another.

As long as you use 5W50 oil and from a reputable company then the dealer stands no chance in invalidating your warranty. The have to prove categorically that damage was a direct result of inferior oil. Remember that they can only recommend(suggest) an oil manufacturer. As long as you beat or equal the standard you can use any brand etc.

Many people argue that driving a car slowly or carefully in the early months is not the best option. Running the car hardish and allowing higher temps in the initial months helps enormously to open the engine and let parts bed in. These days though it's not as critical and there is no recommended run in period for a lot of cars.

Changing the oil frequently to clear debris is probably the most important thing to do in the early miles.

Thanks Phil..

 

Forgot to mention, Sears are selling castrol 5w50 for $5.99 a quart on sale at the moment.

 

I know of at least one SVT engineer that disagrees. I have personally been told that changing the break-in oil before the break-in period has elapsed can cause more damage down the road. The break-in oil is in the engine for a reason, and as he put it, "the oil filter works just as well from mile one as it does from mile 500 or 3000. It will pull any extraneous metal from the oil and keep it from scarring the cylinders or heads or anything else. People act like we don't know how to take care of the very engines we design sometimes."

Change your oil early at your own engine's peril.

 

I thought these engines were broken in at the factory? That's what I've read here a few times and other forums. I change mine at 1k for every car I buy.

 

I think you are right that too early is not required, but even with the filter being effective, it can only do so much. The proof is that when you change the oil the oil is never the same color as when you put it in if you have left it several thousand miles between oil change. The very fact it's dark can mean one of two things. A lot of carbon is getting into the oil from the combustion, but we know that's not true as the designers wouldn't let that happen, or that there is lots of very fine metal in the oil that the filter can't catch. Fine metal turns oil dark. So if it's fine metal then do we want that running around the engine for extended periods of time.

If you take 10 drivers driving 10 different bosses and get them all do drive 5000 miles, the color and condition of the oil removed from the car will be all different based on differing driving styles and local conditions. So wouldn’t the best advice would be to check the oil before changing it. Draining a cup full of oil can tell you a lot, remembering to top it up but the equivalent amount tested.

In reality the experts are not the people that design the cars, it’s the people that drive them. The thousands of users that experience real live day to day experiences with the cars and learn from bitter experience what’s right and wrong. The designers rely on feedback from the users cars and the service report information gathered. The aftermarket companies making fortunes from creating parts to rectify badly designed stock parts. I love my Boss but the bushes on the shifter bracket are so flimsy they are embarrassing. The lower control arms make the car bunny hop all the time and many drivers finish up having to pay a second time for what should be adequate in the first place. I could go on, the forums are filled with issues owners have because of bad design, and in reality wind up actually paying way over the cars purchase price to get them up to an acceptable standard. Yes I do think that the people who invest the money do know a lot about the cars.

 

just do whatever you like then

 

glad this thread is filled with rocket doctors... In reality the experts do whats called R&D and find out things before you even hear of the product. Not everything can be found out before release. Thats why every now and then a couple hundred/thousand has a issue and a tsb is released. I know the color of the oil seems important but its not. They have tests that check the oil and they have nothing to do with color. I mean you do not go to the dealer and ask if you need a oil change and they break out the home depo color chart.

in closing... In reality experts people that can build, design and get approved parts and car. The aftermarket parts are for those who want to go above or beyond what is needed or beyond what the oem part was made to do.

 

The automotive business is just that, a business. Design is fine but cost is king. Designers & Engineers come up with brilliant ideas but at the end of the day, it's the cost that holds the hammer.

Remember this, components are usually built by the lowest bidder. I know, I've been a tier 1 parts supplier to GM, Ford & Saturn. I've been tier 2 supplier to all the domestic auto builders as well as Aston Martin, Mercedes, Honda, Nissan & Toyota. You can't find a car on a Ford lot without at least one of the parts from my current company in it.

Aftermarket parts aren't for going above & beyond what is necessary. In many cases, they are for making up for OEM shortcomings typically brought about by the cost hammer.

My grandfather was an auto mechanic all his life. My father was a Petroleum Engineer. Modern oils & modern engines don't require any oil additives. If you have an older engine with wear or other issues, an additive can help. Synthetic oils are marginally better than regular modern oils. It is up to you to decide if the extra cost of synthetic is worthwhile.

 

Heh, I dont use their oil additves, but I admit I'm a sucker for thier fuel additives like thier top engine lubricant occasionally and their ethanol treatment for gasoline in my lawnmower.

 

Oil additives are for people who like to change fouled spark plugs. I say no.

 

Never used oil additives and I've had 3 cars that I've driven for more than 200,000 miles.