So expensive engine oil really does work.

[crosseyedlion]

It's believable - to a extent (i'd need to test it myself to believe such a massive increase)

On my old bmw e34 530i - I ran it on 0-40w mobil 1 (IIRC) - ran noticably better and got a 2mpg average increase after changing (I didnt know what the old stuff was tho) - took it from 20 to 22mpg average.

Then the most noticeable, put way more than recommended of an additive called 'ZX1' - car was noticeably punchier, smoother - but the most telling was a big reduction in engine braking (was very noticeable on the motorway, had to use the brakes much more often until I got used to it) and a motorway mpg of 31, when previously I couldn't crack 28. Average mpg went up only 1/2 - but I was enjoying the engine to its full potential often. This improvement lasted at least 6k until I sold the car. Although its £20 a bottle, and required every oil change.

I can totally believe oil technology can bring noticeable gains to mpg and power output. My 2p

[GC8]

Fartgalen said:

On 5 litres ?!?!...shheeeit. I'm putting 20 litres in mine then !

Does it work like that? My car takes eight litres, so Im expecting an extra 32bhp come service time!

[Globs]

crosseyedlion said:

Then the most noticeable, put way more than recommended of an additive called 'ZX1' - car was noticeably punchier, smoother - but the most telling was a big reduction in engine braking (was very noticeable on the motorway, had to use the brakes much more often until I got used to it) and a motorway mpg of 31, when previously I couldn't crack 28. Average mpg went up only 1/2 - but I was enjoying the engine to its full potential often. This improvement lasted at least 6k until I sold the car. Although its £20 a bottle, and required every oil change.

Sounds like they are using Boric Acid, I'll have to look into the word on the street about ZX1 and boron treatments.

[McHaggis]

Billy_rfc said:

The article is in Fast ford haggis. Don't think I'm allowed to take a pic and post it up

Funny that - they seem to be sponsoring the magazine as well?

http://www.fastfordmag.co.uk/2012/08/06/millers-co...

[bunyarra]

Very good summary of it here from am OPIE Oils employee :

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/31913-extralube-zx1.htm...

Ouch : "When burnt, chlorinated paraffins produce corrosive hydrochloric acid, and organo-chlorine compounds including the highly poisonous phosgene gas. Apart from these corrosion and health hazards, with petrol engines the deactivation of exhaust catalysts is also a problem."

[RobCrezz]

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

and we saw another 5bhp and 10 lb/ft of torque - from 0 to 13,000 rpm. In racing terms, a significant gain for just an oil change.

You got 5bhp and 10lb/ft at 0 rpm? Thats impressive!

[zb]

Steamer said:

do we have a smilie for 'one eyebrow raised in suspicion'?

No, but I nominate this one

[richb77]

I smell Bullst.

I would be interested what Oilman (Opie oils) has to say about it though.

[mollytherocker]

james280779 said:

I just replaced the oil in my old 911 as I wasnt sure what was put in it before. I bought the proper Mobil 1 0-40 ($105) and I can honestly say it runs sooo much better. wish I had done it ages ago

0-40 in a 1985 3.2!! Surely it will be pissing out all over the place?

MTR

[Prof Prolapse]

Don't see whats so impressive here?

You sacrifice longivity and range of oil use (perhaps even protection)and you get more power.

Unless you're like Ray and on the track though you don't need it on a road car.

[Billy_rfc]

McHaggis said:

Funny that - they seem to be sponsoring the magazine as well?

http://www.fastfordmag.co.uk/2012/08/06/millers-co...

Cheers for the link. I've entered the comp

[long time lurker]

mollytherocker said:

0-40 in a 1985 3.2!! Surely it will be pissing out all over the place?

MTR

I never understand this.... Why would it do that??

I run my petrol turbo VW with 200k on using the correct 5w30 without any issues

[GC8]

long time lurker said:

mollytherocker said:

0-40 in a 1985 3.2!! Surely it will be pissing out all over the place?

MTR

I never understand this.... Why would it do that??

I run my petrol turbo VW with 200k on using the correct 5w30 without any issues

Youve answered your own question there. 5W- may be the correct oil for your VW, but 0W- certainly isnt the correct oil for an old 3.2!

Mobil recommend 0W-40 for a 1986 924S too, which is obviously boll*cks! Their recommendation is worthless as theyre obviously promoting their latest Mobil1 product irrespective of its suitability.

A 1985 Carrera 3.2 should be run on a good quality 10W-, or maybe even 15W-. Mobil made a very nice 15W- synthetic branded Racing, but its no longer available, which would have been ideal. 0W-40 is far from ideal.

[mollytherocker]

long time lurker said:

I never understand this.... Why would it do that??

I run my petrol turbo VW with 200k on using the correct 5w30 without any issues

Internal mechanical wear and aged gaskets, rubbers, joints etc etc. Flat engines are more susceptable to leaks too.

MTR

[tank slapper]

GC8 said:

Youve answered your own question there. 5W- may be the correct oil for your VW, but 0W- certainly isnt the correct oil for an old 3.2!

Mobil recommend 0W-40 for a 1986 924S too, which is obviously boll*cks! Their recommendation is worthless as theyre obviously promoting their latest Mobil1 product irrespective of its suitability.

A 1985 Carrera 3.2 should be run on a good quality 10W-, or maybe even 15W-. Mobil made a very nice 15W- synthetic branded Racing, but its no longer available, which would have been ideal. 0W-40 is far from ideal.

The difference between a 0W40, 10W40 and 15W40 is the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures. All three of those oils would have the same viscosity at 100C which is close to the engine operating temperature. If you live in a hot country, then you don't need 0W oil. If you live in a cold country which experiences sub-zero temperatures it might be essential.

[GC8]

I understand the theoretical difference.

What people fail to grasp though, is that when I use 5W- synthetic oil in my relatively low mileage 2.7l/3.0l 944 engine, my oil consumption increases massively.

This practical experience trumps theory.

[The Wookie]

zb said:

No, but I nominate this one

Here's mine

[The Black Flash]

A small power gain with thinner oil is pretty much inevitable, as the engine does less pumping work. But 20bhp sounds very unlikely to me. That means that the car on Halfords oil is spending more than 20bhp just to pump oil around. Really?

[skinny]

it's very easy to get more power from an engine using only engine oil - either go thinner at the high temps (so from 0W-40 to 0W-20 etc) or dump a load of extra friction modifier in there.

the challenge is doing this and maintaining the same level of wear protection.

[J4CKO]

Suppose its like going to McDonalds and getting a Milkshake versus a Diet Coke, the Milkshake collapses the straw and gives you brain freeze whlst requiring much more effort.