Oil/Trans/Gas Additives?

[YoungStang03]

What is everyones opinion on these additives for various car liquids? ie Gas, Trans, Oil additives. I am wanting to know which are the best and which to avoid.

so like say I was going to add an additive to clean my fuel injection into the gas, which is good to use if any?

Adding oil additives to increase oil efficiency or to clean the motor, is it worth it?

I believe you should get my point by now, so hit me.

[bassman97]

All snake oil. All hype and nothing else. For fuel injector cleaner, you only need that if you think your injectors are clogged or if you keep the car in storage (dump a bottle in the tank when you start driving it again). The only worth while additive was the old GM EOS which adds Zinc to the oil, but is only needed in old flat tappet cammed engines.

[BigDipper]

When I change the oil I use a half quart of Lucas oil stabilizer. If I don't the motor has a loose sound to it. Freaks me out. I have been told it is just the way these motors sound. Plus it definitely gets rid of the cold start problem. I don't use the recommended amount , just half. Only enough to kinda help. Use at your own discretion. I think I am gonna try Royal Purple 5-30 next time and see what happens.
Some dude told me that once you use full synthetic you cant go back?? Is that true??

[bassman97]

No, that's not true, another one of those "myths."

[YoungStang03]

ok thanks, also whats the best oil to use? Ive heard full synth is the best?

[bassman97]

Yes but generally speaking, the cost doesn't justify it (that doesn't stop me from running it though). As for brands, Mobil 1 is great, both in performance and price but I'm personally am sold on Redline oils (and would use them if they weren't so expensive). If you have the cash for Redline, synlubes.com has the best deals ($35/gallon).

[WaterDR]

Some fuel additives are OK, most are snake oil. ALL oil additives are worthless. None of them are proven to do anything except empty your wallet at best, and ruin your motor at worst. They have been proven over and over again to do nothing. You will not find one independent study that will say anything different.

Also, all oils are virtually the same. Again, look at the independent studies and you will see that oil brand makes no difference. IF you run in extreme cold weather or extreme heat, race hard, or have a turbo or super-charger, there is some benefit to using synthetic. It won't hurt, though.

However, stay away form the oil additives. Hype, Hype, Hype.....just follow the money.

You won't find a single auto manufacturer that recomends oil additives. Why? Because they are snake oil and can harm the motor. And, believe me, the manufacturers would love to sell you something. If a dealer or an oil change facility sells this stuff, I would not trust them to touch my car. They are dishonest.

Above all, follow your owners manual.

[YoungStang03]

Ok cool thanks, this answers all my questions.

[WaterDR]

BTW, I did not mean to come off so harsh. Thing is, these additive companies spend millions and millions on advertising to convince people to use them. Then, you run into smart people that use this stuff, so it gives credibility and makes you wonder, right? Then, some joker like me start bashing them.

This is what I do. Find out what people do who have REALLY fast cars. I mean serious shit. What you will find is that they NEVER use additives in their own cars and they use whatever oil some sponsor is giving them. You would use free oil too, right, unless you thought it would damage the motor. It won't, so they use it. Then, read the studies....not mag articles but real studies sponsored by consumer groups. They represent you and not the advertisers.

Then, look at your owners manual. Car manufacturers want you to over-service your car. This way warranty issues are potentially reduced at YOUR cost, right? If they tell you to change your oil at 3,000 miles in the book, they know you will probably do it and it does not cost them any more money. You pay, and it reduces their risk, PLUS gets you in the shop more frequently. Yet, extending to 6,000 miles really does no harm.

A few manufacturers recomend synthetic only. Maybe it is because it works, maybe it is because they have a deal with the oil company. Chances are if they say you must use a particular brand, they have made an arrangement. However, to meet your warranty, you may have no other choice. Hey, I use Mobil 1 for my Saab cuz the book says so, so that's what I do.

However, despite all this, you will never find a manufacturer recomending an oil additive. Think about it....does it say it in the book? No. If it worked, they would tell you to use it.

As far as transmission additives, some of these are not only useful but a requirement. So it really depends. Just don't throw anything in there....go by the owners manual or an extremely reliable source.

I use dealer oil in my Pacifica because that is what they use and my oil changes are included with my warranty. The car has a life time power train warranty, so let them do what they want.

My Mustang gets Mobil 1. I change the oil once per year and put about 4,000 miles on it annually. I have a SC, so I might get a little benefit. I buy the oil at Walmart and it costs about $10 more then standard oil. Small added cost to pay and I get to tell some kid in 10 years when I sell it that I used was Mobil I. Chances are, that might matter. Right or wrong, it us hard to find someone who bashes Mobil I.

[YoungStang03]

you didnt come off harsh at all. If anything you seem passionate about it so again thanks for the advice. I was just walking through walmart and seen all this shit and didnt know if any of it is worth adding .... and it doesnt seem like it.

[sand1303]

i was killing some time the other day and i was browsing the auto dept. at walmart. i saw i think it was quaker state brand oil with slick50. any opinions on that? i have heard slick50 is actually worth using in your transmission(auto) but not sure about your engine. what about the "high mileage" oils? i have a 96 v6 with over 100k, is there any benefit to using high mileage as aposed to basic?

[sand1303]

anyone have an opinion on high mileage? it's not really an additive is it? what makes high mileage different from regular? what about the slick50 oil?