Results from Auto-RX flush = Saturn SL2 '95 with 344,500 miles

[Luke]

The initial results are in: After effecting the Auto-RX flush on my Saturn, for my oil consumption had fallen down to 362/qt, I went through the special procedures for Saturns. Up until and through the procedure, I had been using Quaker State straight 30 weight. For the 2,500 miles AFTER the procedure, I continued to use the straight 30 weight. At that time, I decided to go through my usual oil change, while I was STILL using oil at est 360 - 375 miles / quart.
I then decided to move up to 10w30 (Quaker State) (( I get it at 69 cents per quart)).

My oil consumption has not dropped down substantially = to 885 miles per qt of oil. Granted, this is my initial, but accurate, reading. I would be very suprised to learn that the drop in consumption was EXCLUSIVE TO the change in oil weight. I sensing that it may well be a combination of the Auto-Rx effort AND the change to 10w-40.

I'll issue a follow-up to this report in about two-three weeks, as the time window will produce a more valid consumption picture.

I should note:
I drive 125 miles a day, 99 % freeway driving at 2,200 - 2,400 RPMs, automatic transmission.

Luke

[ June 07, 2003, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: Luke ]

 

[JHZR2]

I know you get the QS cheap, but if I were you, id go with a diesel oil, in the 15w-40 variety. It will stang up to more than a 10w-30, and also will be tougher than a 10w-40... I know QS makes a diesel oil in the 15w-40 weight, if you could get that, Id go with it. it should also help to keep things clean, as diesel oils have more detergents...

JMH

 

[CJH]

quote:

---

Originally posted by JHZR2:
I know you get the QS cheap, but if I were you, id go with a diesel oil, in the 15w-40 variety.
JMH

---

or a straight 50W oil! jeesh! Even if it costs more, you will consume a lot less.

 

[Patman]

Wow, 344,500 miles, that car has given you your money's worth for sure!

 

[Frank]

Luke hope your already doing this ? if not please do.." 3 ounce maintenance of Auto-Rx in every oil change your benefits will be measurable, stable and cost effective. ie: Increased compression-effective combustion- no seal leaks-extended engine life-low operating cost per mile."

 

[Frank]

Luke that 3 ounce application of Auto-Rx with oil change after you have finished cleaning your engine is mainly to keep sludge from coming back.
As well as benfits above.Your engine design will
always continue to make sludge. Auto-Rx maintenance dose keeps it from forming again.

 

[Luke]

Fm Frank

quote:

---

Luke hope your already doing this ? if not please do.." 3 ounce maintenance of Auto-Rx

---

I'm considering taking those added steps, but prior to using the extra bottle (3rd) you were kind enough to include with my order, I want to continue to monitor my initial findings. After I get off this site this morning, I'm going to change my cam-cover gasket, at which time, I'll be taking another oil reading.

Fm JMH

quote:

---

id go with a diesel oil

---

This I've also considered, but something in the back of my mind suggests that the diesel oil would not be a benefit for my seal --- where am I wrong on the perception ? Could I be going over-board on the detergant, relative the engine's seals ??

Fm Patman

quote:

---

Wow, 344,500 miles, that car has given you your money's worth for sure!

---

Actually, my driving is very simple -- 2,200-2,400 RPMs at 55-60 MPH -- pure slow cruising and regular maintenance.


Luke

 

[Neil Womack]

I have a 97 SL1 with 145,000 miles. Now I've never had oil consumption I measured in the hundreds of miles. However, I was using 1.5 quarts per 3000 miles on Penn 10w-30. At 100,00 I switched to 10w-30 Mobil 1 and consumption jumped a little. Starting at 115,000 miles I switched to Schaeffer's 15w-40. Consumption dropped into the 1/2 to 3/4 quarts per 3000 miles and I extended my drain interval to 6000 miles. I've had no problems with this fleet oil.

 

[drm7]

Neil: I had a 95 SL2 and so did my dad. Both used 1 qt per 1000 miles and sometimes more. My brother had a 96 SL1 and it never used a drop in 100,000 miles. I think the oil problem is limited to the '2' versions of these cars. They had a higher output motor so something inside them was different and apparently led to the oil problem. I'll never buy saturn again though. Too many other 'good' cars out there. Still, 300k+ on any car is great.

Luke: What was your oil brand and weight and how often did you change oil to achieve this many miles. We all fuss and worry about oils yet most of us know of cars with 200-300k+ that got whatever the locak minute lube put in them and changed 3-4000 miles. My dad's 79 chevette went 200k and ran like a top, the body rusted off or I'm sure it would have gone much longer.

 

[Luke]

Fm Drm

quote:

---

Luke: What was your oil brand and weight and how often did you change oil to achieve this many miles.

---

From day one, I went to straight 30 weight oil, while over the past couple of years, went to Quaker State, simply because at Kragen, I get it on sale at 69 cents per quart. My type of driving may have a major influence on the car -- morning drive about 1.25 hour at 2,200-2,400 RPMs non stop, while my return home can take 2-3 hours. I'm not hard on the car, while changing the oil at 2,500 miles. Simple maintenance, with a full established spreadsheet on the car. I record everything. If I were to ever sell it, I'll have a complete history of anywork performed.

I about a week, I'll have a better oil consumption figure.
That's about it.

[ June 09, 2003, 10:15 AM: Message edited by: Luke ]

 

[tmgxray]

I would think that if you contacted saturn and told them about the miles,they would give you something or maybe another car in return for yours, so they could use the car as publicity.

 

[Luke]

Current Reading

770 miles per quart, after 1,547 miles, running at 39-40 miles per gallon, with Quaker State 10w-30.

 

[Rick20]

Luke,
Thanks for the car story. Has the car required anything beyond normal maintenance? Has the car always gotten 39-40 mpg, under your normal driving? How far do you hope to take her?

 

[dagmando]

JMH [/qb][/QUOTE]or a straight 50W oil! jeesh! Even if it costs more, you will consume a lot less. [/QB][/QUOTE]

That's it! Valvoline Racing VR50 - straight 50 and avaiable at PepBoys for around $2.50/qt

 

[Mystic]

I think that Quaker State oil is the motor oil they put in Saturns at the factory. I know at my Saturn dealership they had QS, and at the dealership you could see these pamplets from QS advertising that if you used their oil they had something like a 250,000 mile guarantee, or something like that.

I really loved the Saturn dealerships back when I bought my first Saturn, in '94. They were great. But I think they have backslid a lot. I don't think the cars may be keeping up with the times. And GM seems to treat the Saturn Division like outcasts-that does not help. Heck, the Saturn dealership I go to in Colorado Springs is part of Phil Long Ford!

Saturns are pretty good as low cost transportation. But I guess at heart I am a Toyota, Nissan, Honda guy. Try to get those cars at a decent price! Seems like American car companies can not come out with a decent small car no matter what. If GM or Ford would do that it would be great to go back.

Deep down inside I would like to see great American cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. I would like to see a great little American car, and American pick-up trucks better than anything else, and American SUVs better than anything else. A dream.

 

[sprintman]

Mystic GM and Ford do have what you dream about only trouble they make 'em on the other side of the world. The more I think about it the stranger it seems. If we wern't RHD you could import whatver you wanted and cheap too with the exchange rate. I see HSV have taken 80 deposits on the 585 HP HRT 427 SC at A$215,000 a pop (Can you believe that?).

 

[Mystic]

sprintman, I just cannot understand it. GM and Ford would make a hugh pile of money if they would offer good small cars in this country-cars that could compare with what Toyota, Nissan and Honda offer. But GM and Ford cannot seem to do it-remember the Vega and the Pinto? Saturn is really made by GM (even if it is an outcast division) and the Saturn is probably GM's best effort to date-and even the Saturn does not really compare. How hard is it? Cannot they just copy what the Japanese are doing?

It is getting so bad, GM and Ford are in danger of losing even the pick-up section. Hey, no matter how all American you may be, you have to admit that the Tacoma is a mighty good pick-up. Some consider it to be the best pick-up truck that there is.

I don't really get very excited about vans, but I think Americans can still make pretty good examples of these.

Japanese designed SUVs certainly compete well with what GM and Ford can offer.

I think they better wake up someday at GM and Ford.

 

[Luke]

Fm Rick

quote:

---

Has the car required anything beyond normal maintenance?

---

Actually, no. Although, I watch the "preventative" maintenance issue very closely.

quote:

---

Has the car always gotten 39-40 mpg, under your normal driving?

---

Very close to it. Keep in mind, I've kept a full spreadsheet on this car --- from day one. And therefore, it is very easy to keep tabs on when I changed something, and when I should change it again.

quote:

---

How far do you hope to take her?

---

Well, With as well as this car runs, there is just no reason for me to even consider purchasing a new one.

Just continue to do regular maintenance and the car could last hundreds of thousands of miles.

 

[sprintman]

Mystic there would be more Aussie imports but UAW wouls see that off. Question. Are you allowed to drive RHD cars without conversion? Here LHD has to be converted, even so there is a huge amount of specialist US type vehicles here. F150, Silverado's, etc.