Oil additives?
Discussion
I was watching Edd China on Drivetribe and at some point he added an oil additive (ceramic-based) to his oil change. I am using here and there fuel injector cleaners, 5 € a pop for even a placebo effect is good for me. I did not know about oil ones though.
Granted, the whole video is a sponsored production by the very same company of said additive, but do you think they could be beneficial in our cars, given the type of oil we are using?
Here is the video if you are interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vecFeCUxYyQ
Granted, the whole video is a sponsored production by the very same company of said additive, but do you think they could be beneficial in our cars, given the type of oil we are using?
Here is the video if you are interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vecFeCUxYyQ
Definitely not a good thing to put additives into oil.
Oil manufacturers put enormous effort into making their oil into a balance of additives that is just right for the cars that use it, the idea that a third party could produce an additive that makes every oil 'better' is just too hard to believe. And that is why oil manufacturers say 'don't put in any additives'.
Its a bit like taking vitamins, you need a specific amount of vitamin C, if you take ten times the amount (as many people do) then it doesn't make you healthier, you have enough for what you need, so the surplus doesn't achieve anything.
Oil manufacturers put enormous effort into making their oil into a balance of additives that is just right for the cars that use it, the idea that a third party could produce an additive that makes every oil 'better' is just too hard to believe. And that is why oil manufacturers say 'don't put in any additives'.
Its a bit like taking vitamins, you need a specific amount of vitamin C, if you take ten times the amount (as many people do) then it doesn't make you healthier, you have enough for what you need, so the surplus doesn't achieve anything.
With the proviso that joining into an oil discussion is fraught with danger, I offer the following...
In concert with the automakers, oil manufacturers removed additives from their oils about 20 years ago. Recall the cleaning oils? And the ones with ZDP in them to reduce bearing wear? They all got yanked as the additives were hard on the emission system.
Fortunately, synthetic oil is pretty clean and the tight tolerances have reduced blow by... But, if you look, you will find oil for "High Mileage" cars. These have ZDP in them to help keep the bearings in good shape. The Lucas product with ceramics is an additive that claims to do the same thing.
I've never used one (except Sea Foam to loosen a stuck lifter) and have no intentions to do so. I think changing oil types/additives on an old motor is a great way to get the seals to start leaking (like switching from Dino to Synthetic after 4-5 years).
In concert with the automakers, oil manufacturers removed additives from their oils about 20 years ago. Recall the cleaning oils? And the ones with ZDP in them to reduce bearing wear? They all got yanked as the additives were hard on the emission system.
Fortunately, synthetic oil is pretty clean and the tight tolerances have reduced blow by... But, if you look, you will find oil for "High Mileage" cars. These have ZDP in them to help keep the bearings in good shape. The Lucas product with ceramics is an additive that claims to do the same thing.
I've never used one (except Sea Foam to loosen a stuck lifter) and have no intentions to do so. I think changing oil types/additives on an old motor is a great way to get the seals to start leaking (like switching from Dino to Synthetic after 4-5 years).
I agree with the guys ^^^^ and don't add stuff to the oil. I use the best appropriate spec for engines, regular changing is important too (although tooooo regular is a waster of money and oil)
Using high quality (usually high octane) fuels have cleaning agents in them but I too, EVO, chuck a splash of injector cleaner in from time to time particularly on vehicles I don't use often enough.
Using high quality (usually high octane) fuels have cleaning agents in them but I too, EVO, chuck a splash of injector cleaner in from time to time particularly on vehicles I don't use often enough.
The engines are endurance tested on the oil specified by the factory. They get driven in all kinds of harsh conditions , and do a simulated 150k miles with just regular maintenance.
Few of us keep the car for a lifetime and do a few hundred k miles in it. For 10k miles a year of use on British roads, I feel some Castrol oil to the spec is plenty good enough
I would like to think there is more benefit in more regular changes than putting any magic potions into what is already good spec oil.
Few of us keep the car for a lifetime and do a few hundred k miles in it. For 10k miles a year of use on British roads, I feel some Castrol oil to the spec is plenty good enough
I would like to think there is more benefit in more regular changes than putting any magic potions into what is already good spec oil.
I always use ZX1 oil additive in my cars. Both in engine oil, transmission oils and fuel. It's not cheap but lasts around 25,000m per "dose" and is not so much an oil enhancer, but a metal treatment and as such, does not alter tolerances or viscosity. It feels like you are using an "oil additive" because you put it in with the oil, but all you are doing is using the oil to circulate it.
https://www.team-zx1.com/what-is-zx1.html
Don't sell it or any connection with the product etc etc.
https://www.team-zx1.com/what-is-zx1.html
Don't sell it or any connection with the product etc etc.
cornershop said:
As an aside, Total are approved AM partners, but are any AM MDs or specialist using Total oil?
All seem to use Mobil 1
Last time I saw inside MD workshop it was Castrol .....perhaps its whoever they do a deal with ?All seem to use Mobil 1
The user manuals for the cars are written years ago with oil recommendations at the time, within a few years after launch in 2006 the name of the oil changed a few times with Castrol rebranding....
8Tech said:
I always use ZX1 oil additive in my cars. Both in engine oil, transmission oils and fuel. It's not cheap but lasts around 25,000m per "dose" and is not so much an oil enhancer, but a metal treatment and as such, does not alter tolerances or viscosity. It feels like you are using an "oil additive" because you put it in with the oil, but all you are doing is using the oil to circulate it.
https://www.team-zx1.com/what-is-zx1.html
Don't sell it or any connection with the product etc etc.
What does this do for fuel lines?https://www.team-zx1.com/what-is-zx1.html
Don't sell it or any connection with the product etc etc.
I used it once before on an old beater - i felt a marginal benefit, however unsure if the benefits didn't last very long, or i just got used to them.
Will have ne effect on the fuel lines. It is mixed at a 25mI of ZX1 to 50 litres of fuel (2000:1) and adds friction protection just like an upper cylinder lubricant, protecting injectors, valve guides and seats. Although lasting around 25,000 miles when in the lubrication system, it needs to be added to the fuel at each top-up/refill to maintain the cylinder valve protection.
8Tech said:
Will have ne effect on the fuel lines. It is mixed at a 25mI of ZX1 to 50 litres of fuel (2000:1) and adds friction protection just like an upper cylinder lubricant, protecting injectors, valve guides and seats. Although lasting around 25,000 miles when in the lubrication system, it needs to be added to the fuel at each top-up/refill to maintain the cylinder valve protection.
Thanks for the explanation - i will try some in the latest beater first Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff