Recent content by CleverUserName

The Toyota 2.5 DF in the RAV4 is also fantastic and very complicated. I also rented a Camry LE in 2025 with that engine and it was superb as well. If the Rogue’s VC turbo/CVT had similar reliability I’d probably choose the Nissan to buy purely for the drivetrain. I understand the Altima was...

Probably I don’t remember the channel but there were a male/female host. I do recall him saying 5wDumbass or something like that.

Diesel in CA is either B20/Renewable blend, D2/Renewable blend, R96+ or real diesel #2. I’ve only found real petroleum diesel in rural locations. I prefer real diesel #2 or the D2/Renewable blend if you can find it. I prefer Valero and Arco stations. There is a LR mechanic guy on YouTube that...

I’m not a Nissan guy but I’ve heard their CVTs are kinda bad. Yeah I did read about the issues with the VC turbo engines and watched the I do cars teardown video. It’s a very complicated bottom end Nissan designed, nonetheless I liked its performance and fantastic fuel economy.

It had 15k miles and was the SL trim. I generally don’t like Nissans, however this SUV rivaled the RAV4 LE FWD we rented in May. It was far superior to the CorollaCross non-hybrid that I rented in 2025. The VC turbo engine was pretty awesome and delivered 39-41 MPGs on 91 gasoline. Plenty of...

This is the oil I'd be using if I had an LZO

I actually contacted HSS about this a few years ago. Their SDS didn’t list PAO even though it has a CAS # and the Pour Point also suggested there was little to no PAO in their “100% PAO” oils. The response I got was very convoluted and did not answer my questions. I also posted this same...

The irony of calling an oil “modern” when it’s CI-4 rated. Likely super defense is a rebranding of Delvac MX

I had a 2009 Jetta TDI, it was my first new car. I installed a magnetic drain plug at 30K miles. It always had high iron wear in UOA and visible metal chunks on the magnet. I assumed it was from the BSM or oil pump drive key. Never had any diesel that shed ferrous metals like that car. It was...

“We don’t take kindly to oil additives ‘round here.” Some of us real diesel oil in our TDIs. That’s synthetic CK-4 10w30 and 5w40. I use 15w40 in my PD. You need to deal with the BSM module if it hasn’t been deleted. They are problematic in CBEA engines.

I use Amalgamated TDR-FL year round in all my diesels since 2017. It's a summer formula. It doesn't get below 30F and even that is very rare here in N. California. I have never had any issues with emissions systems or fuel systems using this additive. It does everything and does it very well...

I wanted to take advantage of this promo but Pennzoil Ultra Platinum doesn’t have many offerings and nothing that can be used in a diesel like a3b4. Kinda disappointing IMO.

Not sure exactly but CI-4+ is a good place to be. The other P66 lubes use Moly or Titanium which show up. Not expecting them to use something organic in a full SAPS oil, doesn’t seem to make sense.

Ash is 1.38%. No idea about base oils, SDS isn’t helpful. https://www.phillips66lubricants.com/product/victory-diesel-aviation-oil-10w-40/

No soot % or fuel included. Fell out of grade as well, its now a 5w30 could be due to FD. Soot is a major factor in wear. Synthetic HDEOs have more dispersants and handle soot better while reducing wear. I'm sure you would get better analysis with an HDEO 5w40 that meets CK-4 but it won't have...