Why don't more BITOGers use Quaker State?

[svhanc]

QSUD seems to be the value syn of choice here for buying off the shelf.
It is sold as a step down from PP and gets no advertising, and therefore doesn't see the sale/rebate action that gets us excited to build a stash cheap.

The group here is much more likely to extend drains with a synthetic, so it is hard to work up excitement for Dino.

 

[max88]

People don't choose, or switch to, a product just because its marginally better quality. There are factors such as availability, price, cost of maintaining vs. switching, marketing, or simply the alignment of stars in the sky.

When I started to learn DIY oil change last year, my research narrowed down to M1, PP, and QSUD. M1 was consistently higher priced than the other two, while PP and QSUD were neck to neck. I picked QSUD because it was on sale at the time I made up my mind, and bought more during subsequent sale, and end up with a stash like some posters here.

 

[Tdbo]

I use QSGB quite a bit. I am now running it in my Ranger.
I shop the sales and price will determine my choice among the name brand dinos.

 

[sopususer]

The reason I don't use Quaker State is that my great niece's grandpa's brother's nephew had a 1973 AMC Gremlin that spun a bearing with only 5k miles on it. When they went into the engine they found 3 1/2 inches of sludge made up of high grade Pennsylvania paraffin wax in the top and bottom end. It was changed with Quaker State 50 miles before it blew. I'll never run Quaker State because my mechanic has told me 15 such stories from back in the day.

In all seriousness it takes a long time to dispel urban legends. I have to admit when I first joined BITOG, QS would have been near the bottom of my list as well. It's amazing what a little info can do though. Now it's the oil I use in engines where I use conventional (all of my power equipment). If I had a vehicle that would allow me to use conventional (I have a dexos lover and a Subie that requires syn) I wouldn't hesitate one minute to us QSGB. Of course there is one bad thing about information, when everyone finally comes to understand how good QS and the other SOPUS oils are, we'll start paying more for the green bottle.

 

[old1]

Personally I have been using QSUD in my good (newer) cars for the last several years. Why? mainly because I think it is good oil, and when it is on sale at Mennards It is a really good buy, and I stock up with a few years worth.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I used Quaker State in the '70s on my first car. Synthetics were just starting to make a splash, so to speak, back then -- Mobil 1 had ads in all the car and DIY magazines -- but they were very pricey. So, QS and a Purolator filter from K-Mart it was.

For a long time I bounced around among Pennzoil, Valvoline, and Castrol. When QS Defy came out and was spoken of very highly here on BITOG, I tried it in my 3800-powered Buick, and it slowed the leaks or burning I'd seen with other brands. Naturally I used it for several OCs.

When my CPO dealer oil changes are used up, I plan to go with QSUD.

 

[LotI]

I bought out AZ last year when they had 25 qts of QSUD for $3 each...both clear and gold bottles. One more PU change for the Rainier and it's 30k miles of UD.

I also found a jug at WM in 10w30 for the OPE for $14 so I love QS for $3/qt...I wouldn't pay M1 prices for it.

 

[RamFan]

I love Quaker State. It's very underrated in my mind, but since up until yesterday I was working for a company which contracted through Chevron, I got Havoline oil for free

. Quaker State always ran extremely quiet in my Ram 1500 compared to other oils and was my go to choice. Now that I'm back in the market for oils I'll probably be switching to QSUD 0w20 for the Mazda since it's $21 for 5 quarts.

 

[wemay]

I agree, QS is the only brand where I perceive my engine as being quieter. Im sure it, as other API SN oils protect just fine.

 

[cheesepuffs]

I'm glad many others notice the quieter characteristics of this oil too. Boron is a very real thing and I was pleasantly surprised to hear how big of a difference it actually made.

 

[max88]

Not even sure Engine is quieter with QSUD now than with bulk oil before. No gain in fuel economy either. The main reason is for better cold start in -20c winter days in the great white north, and perceived better protection with synthetic.

 

[MileHigh18]

I haven't used QS yet because it's hard for me to switch from PP since it's working so well in my Trailblazer. My engine has never been quieter, but looking on PQIA, QSUD and PP are very close though QSUD has a marginally weaker add pack according to that site. Mobil Super Synthetic also looks good on paper and is a little cheaper than QSUD. So many good motor oils out there, it's hard to choose or stray from what works for me.

 

[CharBaby]

I have been becoming a fan of PEAK oils too.
I am also trying different oils made/formulated by WPP(SuperTech/ProLine).
I like the extra Boron which I understand helps to keep the engines a bit quieter...am I wrong about Boron?

 

[MileHigh18]

Boron is an anti wear additive, so I'm assuming it aids the lubricity of the oil keeping things quieter. Or I may be way off base.

 

[cheesepuffs]

Originally Posted By: MileHigh18
Boron is an anti wear additive, so I'm assuming it aids the lubricity of the oil keeping things quieter. Or I may be way off base.


I've read here that boron carries some anti-wear qualities, but according to Blackstone it's actual primary job is to serve as a dispersent. It has the same job as calcium in that they both attract and carry away soot and sludge.

 

[JustinH]

I used to use Quaker State in my ecotecs because it was the cheapest oil that wasn't supertech at walmart.

It used to be like 8.99 for 5 quarts. Don't know what it is now.

Not that I have anything against supertech, I just wanted a brand name oil. I know that's dumb also.

Then the PEAK motor oil came along, and parts stores were running deals on that, I used that for a while before I sold my GM fleet.

 

[cheesepuffs]

JustinH, QSGB is about $11.50 at my local Walmart which is merely about a quarter more than Supertech. I feel the same as you, I'd rather a name brand product from a major instead of ST for the same money.

 

[yvon_la]

no voa!

 

[cheesepuffs]

Originally Posted By: yvon_la
no voa!


http://www.pqiamerica.com/QuakerState.htm

 

[NormanBuntz]

My wife's M35 got Kendall GT-1 blend for the first 60K miles, then the oil became harder to find. I got some nice pricing on QSUD and QSGB, and am happily using a blend of 40% synthetic and 60% dino. The motor stays clean and seems to like it.