| "Parts Division" and Oil Additives: A Tale of Two | | | | those "recommended" by vehicle manufacturers, really |
| Standards | | | | performed. We're betting you will be shocked... but not |
| The "Parts Division" of many auto/vehicle | | | | surprised. |
| manufacturers is the one division in which stockholders | | | | Oil additive performance questionnaire (Retitled: "Parts |
| expect money will be made. After all, "Parts" is what | | | | Division Nightmare"): |
| people need as they make their cars last longer... and | | | | 1. Does the oil additive scientifically reduce engine |
| a lot longer than 20 or 30 years ago. | | | | friction and wear, especially at start-up time? |
| Today, the average motorist is making his car last | | | | 2. Does the oil additive scientifically promote less |
| twice as long as in years gone by. | | | | friction, thus maintaining normal oil viscosity at engine |
| Why? | | | | operating temperatures? |
| It's a basic economic fact: cars cost more, and in the | | | | 3. Is the oil additive scientifically compatible with SAE |
| short run, many families can barely justify a $400 | | | | specification oils and all non-petroleum-based synthetic |
| budget breaker, as opposed to a new purchase of a | | | | oils? |
| $25,000 price tag. | | | | 4. Can the oil additive scientifically reduce oil burning, |
| So, the "Parts Division" - auto, truck, motorcycle and | | | | and prevent "dry start-up"? |
| others - often has the "final say" in decisions about oil | | | | 5. Will the engine oil additive increase oil pressure and |
| and additive recommendations for the vehicles | | | | power? |
| produced by their manufacturer. After all, if "parts" isn't | | | | 6. Does the oil additive scientifically maintain lower |
| making its typical "lions share" of corporate profits, | | | | engine heat, thereby reducing oil thinning? |
| stock holders complain and heads roll. | | | | 7. Can the oil additive prevent, reduce or even eliminate |
| "Built-in Obsolescence": Nothing New in Corporate | | | | environmentally destructive "blow by" gases from |
| Practice | | | | escaping? |
| All of which is a simple way of hinting at the fact that | | | | 8. From a strictly scientific standpoint, will the oil additive |
| vehicle manufacturers must make sure that vehicles - | | | | provide a self sacrificing, protective, lubricating layer |
| and their parts - last just so long, before coming in for | | | | thus reducing wear on pistons, rings and bearings? |
| repairs. "Repairs" is where the money trail leads... to the | | | | 9. If so, (number 9), will the oil additive lubricant stay on |
| pain of every American car, truck, and motorcycle | | | | the metal or will it eventually flow down to the oil pan |
| owner. | | | | when the engine cools? |
| Our experience in working with oil additives showed us | | | | 10. Can the oil additive quiet noisy valves and lifters? |
| that fact in a hurry. Bringing an oil additive to vehicle | | | | Based upon the answers to the above answered |
| manufacturers who, at first, were ecstatic about the | | | | questions: |
| results, gave us a real lesson in economics. In one | | | | Does the oil additive scientifically promote longer engine |
| case, the manufacturer's representatives ran tests and | | | | life and efficient, powerful performance? |
| found the oil additive performed significantly above | | | | Does the oil additive significantly improve fuel mileage |
| even our results. However, they came back later and, | | | | by reducing internal friction in the engine? |
| rather sheepishly informed us they weren't allowed to | | | | Is possible that the oil additive will bring significant |
| endorse the product. | | | | improvement in compression, usable horsepower, gas |
| "Why?" was our shocked rejoinder. "Because "Parts" | | | | mileage and overall performance? |
| thinks it will cut into their revenues" was their rejoinder. | | | | Must the oil additive be added to your engine oil at |
| Rejoinders aside. "Built-in obsolescence" is no joke and | | | | every oil change? |
| it is practiced all the time. The corporate world exists | | | | Can the additive fortify the properties of motor oil, both |
| to make stockholders happy, at our expense. But, this | | | | traditional and synthetic? |
| is particularly noxious in that vehicle manufacturers are | | | | Doe the oil additive prevent oil breakdown caused by |
| often cited as the standard by which to judge oil | | | | extreme temperatures? |
| additives and vehicle performance. | | | | Does the oil additive protect against scoring or seizing |
| What is really needed is a "hard look" at the science | | | | and create a highly polished, wear resistant finish on |
| of oil additives. | | | | engine surfaces? |
| What Should an Oil Additive Do for Your Vehicle? | | | | Can the oil additive provide the same tremendous |
| Friction and heat are the enemy of moving metal parts. | | | | benefits for all 4 stroke engines such as: diesel engines, |
| Regardless of the engine oil used, friction and heat will | | | | motorcycle engines, trucks, cars, classics, antique cars, |
| destroy an engine or any other piece of equipment | | | | tractors and farm vehicles, marine engines - inboard or |
| with moving metal parts. Science tells us that moving | | | | outboard? |
| metal parts need to be lubricated ... or the friction of | | | | Is it environmentally safe in today's high-tech cars? |
| metal on metal will damage the vehicle's combustion | | | | Does it produce upper cylinder lubrication, reduced acid |
| chamber. | | | | and sludge build up, with the improved fuel economy? |
| An oil additive should reduce friction. That being | | | | Will it cause any damage to oxygen sensors, fuel |
| reduced, overall engine heat should drop as a result. | | | | sensors or catalytic converters? |
| Overall engine protection is, of course, therefore | | | | Is it an acid-combating additive? |
| enhanced. | | | | Does it cut down "wear metals" especially iron, copper, |
| An oil additive that really does its job, so to speak, | | | | and lead which are normally the ones to watch? |
| needs to have the capacity to accomplish more than | | | | Does it decrease engine wear? |
| a few of the following tasks, if it really is going to make | | | | Can it be used as a differential additive? |
| a difference to your billfold. | | | | Asking such questions, narrows the field considerably. |
| Here's a checklist. Then turn to our Part II and see how | | | | See how in Part II. |
| well the standard additives, including and especially | | | | |