Are these products snake oil?

[wavinwayne]

My father-in-law drives a big rig for a living. He is the owner/operator of a small trucking company here in AL. He drives his truck from North AL. to Milwaukee, Wisconsin & back once or twice a week.

He has gallons upon gallons of Lucas Heavy duty oil stabilizer & Howes Diesel Treat fuel stabilizer in his garage. I may not have the names of these two products exactly right???

I NEVER give my FIL advice as it relates to oil. After all, HE is the one that has racked up a few million miles in his last five rigs. I just drive a little VW....what could I possibly know about oil?

So, what is the verdict on these products? Legit or snake oil? Even if it's snake oil, I'm not going to say anything to him about these products.

I will give him credit for his choice on diesel oil, though. He uses Shell Rotella T & Mobil Delvac 1300, both very good oils.

[ April 12, 2005, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: wavinwayne ]

 

[Quest]

I have no problems taking on Howes Diesel fuel treatment/additives.

I DO, howver, have problems with Lucas additives.

I respect folks who choose high quality diesel motor oil such as Shell Rotella-T, XD-3, DELO, etc.

(*I'm currently running Esso XD-3 in my B&S 4.5hp mower engine and that little 1cyl absolutely loves diesel lube*)

 

[T-Keith]

I believe Lucas is mostly vIIs and thick oil. Not a good recipe for protection in my book.

 

[Ken2]

Wayne,
Introduce you F-i-L to Schaeffer's oils. If he gives them a try, and uses oil analysis to determine the real life of the oil, he will find they offer the lowest cost per mile plus better engine life. He can (should) do away with the Lucas. Schaeffer's fuel add will likely also save him money. He should try a couple of oil changes with the conventional premium #151 15W-40, then after the engine is cleaned up inside, switch to the #700 15W-40 for longest oil life.
http://www.schaefferoil.com/
http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/151.pdf
http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/700.pdf
http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/137.pdf


Ken

 

[MolaKule]

I totally agree with the Howe's and Schaeffer's comments. I have never been impressed with any of the Lucas products, and that opnion came before we had competing products.

 

[John in the ATL]

Wayne,

Your father in law could get Schaeffer's at the wholesale price and not pay shipping since his orders would be over $250.00.

I would bet that Schaeffer's can hit the "sweet spot" between dino HDEO and Delvac 1.

 

[2Sixty]

I've been using Shaeffers Deisel Treat #137nd
for probibly 20+ years. I've had no injectors problems or any fuel relateed problems. I
use it year round every time I add fuel. I
run all 48 states, Canada & Alaska. I don't use the Winter Blend. When I need extra protection for cold temps I add Power Service, Also the fuels are blended in colder areas already. The coldest temps have been around -50 Below. I wouldn't leave home without it. I buy 4 cases at a time. I gain about 1/2 MPG so it pays for itself plus all the other benefits. I have 1,200,000 miles on the truck w/60 Detroit engine I have now,but I am trading for another truck next week and will continue using the #137 nd in it also. I have just found this site and this is my 1st post, but will return. I believe this site will be very informative.