Outside of extended OCIs with ideal usage (all highway), what is the use case for boutique oils?

[tired]

I posed a similar question a week or two ago - what do boutiques excel at if you do normie drain intervals - and got the the same answers as you got here.

For me, a lot of it has to do with supporting an American small business and the customer service received and their contributions here. Next, I just like the idea of using something very well engineered even if the application I choose could have gotten by with a lot less. My main auto passion is auto detailing/paint correction which I’m a zillion miles down that rabbit hole of chasing perfection so that has rubbed off on me with maintenance too.

Check out the post I made in the UOA sub-forum on the analysis of my wife 2024 Mazda CX-90 using HPL. Lots of remote start cold idling in winter and approx 2% fuel dilution with the cst dropping all of 0.1 in the 0W-20. However, I realize that had I used generic brand X the engine would not have turned into a mushroom cloud.

Thanks. I did not see your thread before posting this. I will find them and read them.

 

[tired]

No use. I used Amsoil and didn't feel any difference. Got the same results on the oil analysis report as well. Now I'm running HPL, and I am not very hopeful. Nothing will show up in my oil filter. 200,000 miles on Mobil 1. Save your money, stick with Mobil 1 and Pennzoil

I think others pointed out in that thread that UOAs are not an adequate tool to compare the quality of oils.

 

[tired]

I don’t think there’s a minimum if you pick up the phone and talk to Mary Jane.

They can put together whatever you want and whatever quantity you want.

Pretty old school concept, using a phone to order something, I know, but sometimes it’s a lot more effective than the web, and you get exactly what you need.

Call Mary Jane at (815) 932-3288. You don’t need to order a full case.

I wish I would have known. I would have bought the gear lube from them. Next CVT fluid change I'll use HPL.

 

[ltslimjim]

Doesn't even have to be a boutique oil, could just be a more heavily additized premium oil like Mobil 1 0W-40. @Trav has mentioned that he stopped the notorious Honda 3.5 VCM engine ring coking problem by running a Euro 5W-40 or 0W-40 (M1 0W-40 was specifically mentioned).

Oils aren't formulated to clean (with the exception of Valvoline R&P), they are formulated to try and keep things clean enough to pass the requisite API testing. There are some base oils (AN's and esters) that are capable of actually cleaning up existing deposits, not just working to prevent them from accruing. So, depending on the severity of the issue, yes, it's quite possible that it could be mitigated by the use of a lubricant that has an active cleaning capability.

Now, if the engine has a mechanical issue, like improper heat treating or something, no, but if it's something to do with deposit build up of coke, varnish or lacquer, then yes, the choice of lubricant can in fact influence the end result.

This is what I did not understand about Amsoil SS back in 2011. @tired

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

You’re absolutely right. The only way to fix it is to stop people from buying defective vehicles. Now all those H/K employees are unemployed overnight!

And then they hang out here and tell other people how often they should be changing their oil with other makes.

 

[FlyingTexan]

What are you expecting to feel or see in an oil analysis report?

Is your view that there’s nothing valuable in a UOA? I remember asking you in the past what sources of info you consider legitimate and you never responded. Do you consider UOA a source of legitimate info?

 

[FlyingTexan]

The legend is back with vengeance. VOA on me for the team.

View attachment 275057

Spend $3 and get QS

 

[Glenda W.]

Again Blackstone themselves say all oils statistically show the same wear in their reports. You can’t use wear on a UOA to compare oils.

 

[ripcord]

I just wanted to point out that Glenda W's charts above have values so close that any differences are just statistical noise and will not in way predict engine longevity.

 

[Glenda W.]

IMO where boutique’s really shine is in keeping engines/pistons clean during extended oci’s or in severe service. More money up front but saved by changing the oil less. Especially in fleets.

 

[Sienna dude]

IMO where boutique’s really shine is keeping an engine/pistons clean during extended oci’s or in severe service. More money up front but saved by changing the oil less. Especially in fleets.

Define severe. I drive for Uber and Lyft. I haul more than any midsize pickup ever will. Mobil 1 0w16 got me here in all the weather conditions, from the cold of Montana in the winter to the heat of Arizona in the summer. Because I've done multiple long distance road trips in this van as well, I camp in it

 

[Glenda W.]

Define severe. I will drive for Uber and Lyft. I haul more than any midsize pickup ever well

Manufacturers use to define severe service in the owners manual with viscosity charts but thanks to cafe it’s rare now. If my memory serves me it was above/below a certain temp, short trips, stop and go traffic, towing, plowing, extended idle, mountainous terrain etc. I personally like using oil temperature if available.

 

[Sienna dude]

Manufacturers use to define severe service in the owners manual with viscosity charts but thanks to cafe it’s rare now. If my memory serves me it was above/below a certain temp, short trips, stop and go traffic, towing, plowing, extended idle, mountainous terrain etc. I personally like using oil temperature if available.

I've never towed with it, but I have hauled a ton. Can't believe Toyota put the Camry motor in this big ass van. Poor thing screams all day long, super loud. And I idle all the time. I've kept the van on on my long road trips for AC and heat when I am sleeping in it. But idling on hybrids is different, the engine shuts off when not needed. And just so you know, Pacific Northwest is mountainous, I-90 is brutal. But this van doesn't care.

 

[Sienna dude]

Sienna used to come with the Tacoma motor.

 

[Glenda W.]

I've never towed with it, but I have hauled a ton. Can't believe Toyota put the Camry motor in this big ass van. Poor thing screams all day long, super loud. And I idle all the time. I've kept the van on on my long road trips for AC and heat when I am sleeping in it. But idling on hybrids is different, the engine shuts off when not needed.

It’s served you well! I know you’ve mentioned mostly on mobil 1. Seems it’s up to the task and not breaking down and leaving deposits! You’d probably have to double your oci to make a boutique worth it. If you had a fleet of these vans it would probably save you time, money, and downtime.

 

[Sienna dude]

Not just the motor, this van has been extremely bulletproof for me. Since I bought it, the doors have been opened and closed, then opened and closed 15,000+ times. And it still works, just push of a button. How do I know 15,000 times? Because I've had 15,000 rides on Uber and Lyft since I bought this van.
The crazy thing is that it's the first year model of a new generation. I consider myself very lucky

 

[Glenda W.]

Not just the motor, this van has been extremely bulletproof for me. Since I bought it, the doors have been opened and closed, then opened and closed 15,000+ times. And it still works, just push of a button. How do I know 15,000 times? Because I've had 15,000 rides on Uber and Lyft since I bought this van.
The crazy thing is that it's the first year model of a new generation. I consider myself very lucky

That’s amazing!!

 

[Sienna dude]

Look at the size of that thing, it can have the Toyota Sequoia for a snack. Minivan is the real deal.

 

[Sienna dude]

I can't tell you how many times I have stolen the Suburban's and Tahoe's lunch because they could not take enough luggage. And I got 37 mpg in the process.
Man if Toyota brings that Lexus version here at a lower price, I will be the first to buy it. I will get the black on black and turn it into a limousine.

 

[Sienna dude]

$160,000 for a minivan with a 2.5 L 4 banger. Japanese are just different. This thread got derailed big time. Back to Boutique oils