Originally Posted by Imp4
Originally Posted by RDY4WAR
Alright. Let me see what I can say here without disclosing the exact formulas for specific oils.
Pretty much every API SN+ / D1G2 oil is going to generally look like this (plus a margin of error)...
Ca: 1000-1400
Mg: 500-700
P: 700-800
Zn: 800-900
B: 100-250
Mo: 60-80
Amazon Basics API SN+
http://pqiadata.org/AmazonBasics_0W20.html
SuperTech API SN+
http://pqiadata.org/SuperTech_5W20.html
Quaker State API SN+
http://pqiadata.org/QuakerState_5W20.html
Mobil 1 AP API SN+
http://pqiadata.org/Mobil1_5W20.html
STP API SN+
http://pqiadata.org/STP_5W30.html
and so on and so on... A few deviate slightly with a drop of titanium thrown in there (Valvoilne, Royal Purple, Castrol Edge), but for the most part, it's the same cookie cutter recipe. They're all in the same tiny box. There's differences in base oils with SOPUS riding that GTL train, but you aren't going to see any real world benefit from that over anything else. They use it because it's cheaper, and also because they dove head first into it and have to see it through.
Now let's compare those to the likes of Amsoil Signature Series which has a good bit more moly, boron, and detergents,
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4554249/1/Amsoil_SS_5w30_new_formulation
Red Line with loads more moly, ZDDP, and detergent.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4851640/1
High Performance Lubricants BAS where the additive package takes up nearly 30% of the total oil volume.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...ance-lubricants-bas-5w-30-racing-oil-voa
These oils are not "cookie cutter" as you can see. They don't follow the boring API recipe.
Ah I think I see what you're after here.
This is an oft repeated old saw.
Let's use the metaphor of the the 10-foot hole in the ground.
Given said 10-foot hole, is it better to have a 12-foot ladder or a 15-foot ladder to get out of the hole?
The best answer is that either ladder is an equally suited tool to remove oneself from the hole.
Now, let's set up an analogy comparing the two situations.
OP stated that his application was a 2.5 Duratec in a Ford Escape. These engines are notably easy on oil.
He then asked for the board to rank a set of oils slated for his application.
I responded with a question as to why he was considering them lower tier and whether it was spec related or not.
You then stated:
Originally Posted by RDY4WAR
I consider them lower teir because they are minimalistic, with a rather cookie cutter recipe, that aims to meet minimum standards and push product. Everything is cheapened as much as possible, so long as it still meets API, in order to be competitive with one another and make a good profit. They are your bare bones basic recipes.
What you have described here is something that is exactly suited to meet every requirement of the job at hand.
It's the proverbial 12-foot ladder for the 10-foot hole.
I subsequently challenged you to as to why these products were minimalistic and you provided some self styled artwork and a treatise on products that are triple or quadruple the cost of the products the OP was asking about. You know, the proverbial 15-foot ladders.
Every product the OP listed will accomplish the goal at hand with not so much as a second thought. As such, they are completely suited for the job and are not 'lower tiered' or 'lower grade' or lower anything else, nor are they minimalistic. They are exactly appropriate, with the added bonus of being some of the least expensive solutions available for the task at hand.
In summary, the key here is establishing the performance goal before selecting possible solutions. In this case, a 2.5l Duratec with a 10k OCI goal. And in this circumstance, Redline or HPL or Amsoil SS will work but they are no better at achieving the stated goal than any of the oils OP listed.
You sound like an engineer.
Despite the bleating from unicorn dust fans, any of the oils listed will take his engine well beyond his expected service life. It won't be an oil related issue whether he uses Supertech or Amsoil.
The only difference will be cost and feels.