Originally Posted By: blackman777
API is probably sufficient for older engines.
However I doubt modern (read: complicated, finicky) engines will see 400,000 miles. They have Variable Cylinder Management (which sludges oil) or hybrid engines (that develop leaks as early as 100,000 & stop/start a lot) or very delicate turbos (to gain 200hp from a tiny 1.3 L). Oh and let's not forget Direct Injection which has known clotting issues & EGR that loads-up the oil with soot & Lean Burn hondas that scorch cylinder walls and..... well I could go on and on.
Modern engines are hard on oil (IMHO). You just spent $20 to 30,000 on a car. Which will burn ~11,000 dollars gasoline every 100,000 miles. Why go cheap with D-grade level API/ILSAC oil (which passed no other tougher tests)? For what reason?
To save 5 dollars? A measly 0.02% of the car ownership cost? (shrug) I always go with the highest specs I can find on the bottle, in order to keep my modern (read: finicky) engine running.
Yeah I spend $5.50 per quart. BFD.
LOL. It's worth it to get the top-testing VW507.00 or Dexos 2 oil rather than the D-grade oil at the bottom of the list.
I've gotta just shake my head at the entire context of this post.
The cheap oil comment is comedy gold.
First off with today's engine management controls today's engines don't suffer nearly as much from combustion by-products and fuel dilution which caused accelerated oil degradation.
If SN is such a weak spec why is it that many engines can run 10000 mile intervals with it.
As far as vvt sludging engines you might want to look into that a bit deeper.
There was a manufacturer that had issues however it's not the norm.
If I can spend 20 bucks on oil,and my engine goes 400k,and you spend more for better oil and your engine goes 400k do tell how that's superior.
What's completely going over your head is that euro oils meet different specs due to European legislation. They have to be tougher because they are mandated to run for more miles before oil changes are able to be done.
They cost more too.
Lets also remember that the sulfur content in fuel is different as well.
You've completely lost your point on me. Engines are lasting longer than ever using the "garbage" oil specs we have so you go right ahead and pay more.
Do you think someone is going to pay extra when you sell your car because you used expensive oil?
No return on the extra dollars spent.
Great thread