Why do we care so much about oil?

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Once I found out how complex tires actually were, I became obsessed and researched to no end. Now, it's the same with motor oils.



SIDE NOTE: I realized I got carried away with posting pictures and starting threads in the tire / wheel section, sorry.
 
Originally Posted By: loneryder
Also I think because oil is very mysterious. We know what it does but we can't see it working or how it is working. Most of our data is anecdotal. ...
That's true of most posters. Filters are not as complex and mysterious as oil chemistry.

I'm both amused and frustrated by the oil- and filter-related superstitions and misconceptions that keep popping up.
 
Originally Posted By: ad244
This forum just proves there are a lot of lonesome single dudes sitting at computers globally



You are the winner, best yet....
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Originally Posted By: blupupher
I came here originally 13 years ago (actually longer, I lurked for about a year before registering), I knew a little about oil, almost nothing about filters. I had a basic automotive knowledge base.
It was also a time where there were quite a few members posting that did know a lot about oil, and also a time where there were some big differences in oils, and major changes were happening.

I have learned a lot about oil, as well as many other things.
As said, this site has other areas besides oil discussions.

The truth is, I don't care much about what oil I use.
I use this site a lot for oil/filter deals. I will use the cheapest name brand (or store brand) oil I can get.
I am not an extended oil change person for the most part (although I have finally decided to do an annual oil change on my truck, but is I go by the book for viscosity and have learned xw-20 oils are not the death of an engine.


It is rare anyone posts an engine failure due to an oil issue in here...but I guess it does happen.Most if not all major oils are excellent,,I have never had an engine failure due to an oil failure,,well not yet...
 
Originally Posted By: Bjornviken
Hobby. BTW where is bob?


He still lives in Florida but isn't a Schaeffer oil representative anymore (he's possibly retired now)
 
Originally Posted By: csandste
As Blackstone reports, in the real world there's little if any difference in actual engine wear from the cheapest conventional to the most expensive synthetic.


That's a great point. The most ironic thing is, many here will argue to the end why their oil brand and type is superior, criticize oils because they don't contain x, y, and z components, then emphasize how important a used oil analysis is.
 
Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
If you'll notice, many of the threads are only tangentially related to oil. Most have to do with other automotive issues ...

Without analyzing the content of the threads, the "oil" sub-forum is far and away the most popular area - over 1 million posts ! The closest sub-forum to that is the 'automotive general' forum and the mechanical forum. I guess if you combined those two, they would be equal to the oil forum.
 
Originally Posted By: CR94
Originally Posted By: loneryder
Also I think because oil is very mysterious. We know what it does but we can't see it working or how it is working. Most of our data is anecdotal. ...
That's true of most posters. Filters are not as complex and mysterious as oil chemistry.

I'm both amused and frustrated by the oil- and filter-related superstitions and misconceptions that keep popping up.


Being mysterious is why I like to see pics of valve covers off the car etc. I have yet to figure out what a cut open oil filter shows other than a dirty oil filter. One thing I have learned on here is that any oil that meets the current standards will protect the engine from wear. I know shops that service cars with hundreds of thousands of mile on them using a Jobber oil such as Pro Lone etc. But I still have my prejudices.
 
Originally Posted By: csandste
As Blackstone reports, in the real world there's little if any difference in actual engine wear from the cheapest conventional to the most expensive synthetic.


They are basing that on UOA results though, not engine tear downs. Also, there's more to an engine oil's performance than just preventing wear, don't forget about the cleaning ability of an oil. If you look inside an engine with 300k on it that has used a good synthetic vs one using a cheap conventional, the difference will be noticeable. Also, as mentioned in another recent thread, synthetics offer a higher level of protection if you overheat (or simply have sustained higher oil temps even, such as when tracking a car) If you pay attention to sales/rebates, you can find synthetic for a price that doesn't break the bank either, so to me it makes sense to use them.
 
Originally Posted By: loneryder
Originally Posted By: CR94
Originally Posted By: loneryder
Also I think because oil is very mysterious. We know what it does but we can't see it working or how it is working. Most of our data is anecdotal. ...
That's true of most posters. Filters are not as complex and mysterious as oil chemistry.

I'm both amused and frustrated by the oil- and filter-related superstitions and misconceptions that keep popping up.


Being mysterious is why I like to see pics of valve covers off the car etc. I have yet to figure out what a cut open oil filter shows other than a dirty oil filter. One thing I have learned on here is that any oil that meets the current standards will protect the engine from wear. I know shops that service cars with hundreds of thousands of mile on them using a Jobber oil such as Pro Lone etc. But I still have my prejudices.
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: loneryder
I have yet to figure out what a cut open oil filter shows other than a dirty oil filter.


Looking for mechanical failures inside the filter ... ie, media tears, cut ADBV, detached end caps, etc. Also looking for any abnormal debris in the pleats, if so could be engine problems going on.
 
Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: Bjornviken
Hobby. BTW where is bob?


He still lives in Florida but isn't a Schaeffer oil representative anymore (he's possibly retired now)


Ok, thanks! He havent been online since 2008
 
Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
CDO please - in the correct order ...


I don’t understand why there is a D at all …
 
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