Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Originally Posted By: 93cruiser
So, why do you buy cheap oil?
Really? Why would you just not buy better oil? The savings is basically nothing, and works out to pennies a day.
Ok, to clarify.
All oil is equal unless proven otherwise. If the API is equal, the oil is equal.
So how then do you determine one oil is better then the other?
You cant
So why then do you call an oil cheap?
Some oils have less of a price mark up then others and I guess you call that cheap. Some oil companies using marketing to produce more profits for its shareholders and create premium price points and status yet no oils in the same API are ever proven to reduce wear better then others.
With all the above said, PLEASE tell us what makes an oil better. That is the magic question.
You cant honestly believe that knowing LESS then a handful of elements that you can determine one oil better then another. So then, for all to tell, tell us what makes it better, oh and while you are at it, read the marketing material with no proof off that expensive bottle of oil and show how it will make your engine last longer.
You cant show how an engine will last longer then its designed life using one oil over another. So why do you buy into marketing campaigns of sure rich companies? Answer is easy, marketing and the use of psychology.
Hope Im not repeating myself, but it made me think after the post above was addressing the OP and I didnt realize it.
Many years ago, heck, not really that long ago, it used to be easy to show differences in oil, heck, even Consumer Reports did tests on oils.
Not so anymore, its pretty much all the same stuff, Even the brand name TV you watch most likely came out of the same factory that makes TVs for multiple companies that sticks their own name and possibly their on design on it.
Oil much the same now, a handful of companies make the additive packages and a handful of companies actually refine the base oils and distribute it not much differently then he gasolines you buy for your vehicle.
I appreciate the reply. I will try to answer in order.
I don't believe two oils with the same API rating are equal. After all, they are made by different companies, different base stocks used , different additives, more or less of certain additives, etc. So, they can not be equal. They may both be acceptable, but one will be better, and I don't think a lesser oil will protect better. API just states it meets spec at new, not how long it will continue to meet spec in your engine. It also does not state how much the specs are exceeded by, so you are blindly going into it. One oil may have just passed with minimal margin, while a more robust oil passes easily.
Without doing years of testing, I can't prove one oil is better than another, but that really was not my original post anyway. The discussion was price. I can read the data sheets, look at the prices, and determine the best buy for the job, using logic and common sense to make my choice. In doing so, my choice certainly isn't going to be trying to save pennies over an oil change by buying no name oils.
I consider an oil cheaper if it has a weaker base stock and additive package.
You can't show using a lesser oil protects the engine just as well, if you want to say I can't prove my way is better. Problem is, again, I never said cheaper oil wont work, but asked why use it with almost no cost benefit. Since neither way can be proved, and only extrapolated, I will pay the pennies more for a more robust product.
I don't take any marketing into consideration, could care less. I'm going by data sheets, and cost of oil, and benefit of use. Cheaper oil does not win the comparison for me in this situation.
Same thing for gas. Shell gas is say 2.50, no-name brand gas is 2.47. Sorry, I'm going to Shell and getting the extra additives and top tier gas vs not and saving .66 cents(.03 x 22 gallons). That's 34 bucks a year if filled up weekly, no thanks. I'll pay more and be better off in my opinion.
I hear what you are saying about Electronics. Components are close to being the same, but not exactly the same. Of course some components are shared too. But some differences, or less options will be present on the cheaper model. Also, electronics have become disposables for most, so cheaper may be the way to go here, but research first.
I'll leave with this example. Why does Toyota use Mobil for their factory made oil(if they stopped, doesn't matter its an example, could be anything)? Surely the bean counters at Toyota have calculated it would be much cheaper for them to fill all cars from the factory with say supertech, at a savings of billions. I don't believe it's the payment for advertising, walmart has deep pockets and can pay toyota too to get their oil in the cars. It's most likely due to the lesser oils not up to the task of 10k oci's, or more when drivers forget to service. They and all manufacturers need to ensure a quality oil, even when brought back in for service, so no bad reputation is achieved. Why do all dealerships use name brand such as valvoline, penzoil, mobil, etc when you go for a dealer oil change? Surely the dealership could save a bunch of money using no name. Explain this please. In my opinion, I already have. They also calculated the risk vs reward, went with name brand.
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