Now what about heavy-duty engine oils? Looking at spec. sheets and seeing analysis numbers on additive packages, how would you rank the best HDEO's and why???
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Maybe it should be asked, What elements make a top quality HDD oil?
And are these elements subjective or specific? How many MPG does the oil give over "Normal" oils and over "oil in its class" -i.e. apples v. apples or fruit v. vegies; and are the costs justified?
I would first try to establish, since I'm no Tech guy, what oil gives me the most bang for my buck. How clean does it keep my engine, etc. If it pays me, compared to the other oils on the market, then I am interested.
I measure in Payback: How long compared to other oil, does this oil> last, protect, save energy...
In this payback; what ie the Cost of using Vs. not using. A quality motor oil will PAY you -IMO- to use it, as opposed to most other oils on the market. If the oil cost me 12.00 a gallon, and saves me an additional 20.00 or 40.00 or 60.00 in other expenses during its use, in my mind I deduct the 12.00 from the other expenses, and figures I got a lot of VALUE for my 12.00 investment. Cars are not generally investments unless you are a business, and they are still expenses... big ones. BUT, to a large degree, all maintenance is an investment to keep the floating bucket of metal rolling until it totally dies.
Based on industry standard tests, does it outperform the standard, i.e. in reduced wear in the valvetrain (cummings M11)and by how much reduction? Or the piston ring and berings (mack-T9)? Or any other standard test, overall does it do better or on par and is the cost worth while?
Now if the test calls for 25ppm and it shows up with less than 1ppm, and all the other oils are 20-25 ppm, would you care if the oil cost $ 4.00 a quart v. $ 2.80 ? if the same oil showed 60-70 % resuced wear in other tests, and a 20-30 % reduction in carbon build-up, and viscosity increase was 20-40% lower than acceptable, and consumption was 50-70% lower than acceptable, would it matter then?
-see some of these numbers are subjective upon you. What is your comfort zone? and how much are you willing to pay for the extra protection, and is it COST effective?
Based on the same engine (apples to apples) does the specific oil (apples to apples) rate better or worse in things like consumption?- here, I have tried dozens of oils for instance, and I had to let my consumption issue determine the type oil for MY application, you may have other issues like high temps, racing or whatever, and not all oils do perform best in all areas. If you need a BULK oil for ALL vehicles and machines, then you will more than likely have 1-2-3 of them with a consumption issue or whatever.
Specifically where does the oil receive their detergent value?
Can the oil protect in areas with newer fuel?
What about Extreme pressure properties?
Do the additives have enough things present to go into extended drains, i.e. de-activators and such?
How well does the oil in a properly running engine, HOLD it's TBN? How Long?
What is the AVERAGE in the industry, that this oil is in use in a vehicle or machine LIKE MINE?
-if for example you can get for 15,000 miles a 12.00 oil, and then add say 30.00 for Tests, that's 42.00, but say another oil cost a total of 28-30.00 for the same miles; all things equal, i.e. wear similar, MPG, etceteras, the choice is simple. I think too many people have not done this.
The fact is, there is NO need to use any SPECIFIC oil to extend the life unless it will be kept a long long long while. There is also no NEED to use any non-mainstream oil (although I sell and use mine, and yes, it's better than most, but users don't NEED it or any one in specific)- Now, extended drains are almost another animal, but I digress....
Now, often times you will have a lot of information, and it is not EQUAL. Like MPG, or consumption or whatever... I just try my best to translate it in a ratio that equates to a MPG number, howbeit however small i.e. 0.000000001216
Have you ever heard that the acid/alkaline balance of the fluids in your body is the most important factor in health?... well "The Textbook of Medical Physiology" by A.C. Guyton says alkaline balance is one of the most important aspects of homeostasis. Engines are like our bodies, the oil fluids baths the internal organs of the engine... anyway I know I have digressed again, but my point is the TBN and it's ability to HOLD and to take a DIVE when things go wrong, while at the same time keeping the engine protected, my be a very big factor. To me it's important, among a lot mor questions I'm sure you guys don't even want to consider.
Bottom line is, WHAT is the meaning of the term BEST? - it's subjective IMHO, and to me the little outline above lists some of them. Maybe someone with a better skill for words can make a better list. :-]
