I keep hearing some around here constantly questioning why someone would go for a higher performance oil over an adequately performing cheaper oil for, say, a 5k OCI.
I can only explain my reasons, so I speak for nobody else, but I thought I'd try to help you understand. Please also understand that it is an opinion and in my mind makes perfect sense. In your mind, it might not, and that's ok. I have respect for each person here and their own priorities. I do understand the logic of a minimalist approach where money is saved and oil performance, and ultimately, this is the most efficient route, if keeping costs low while maintaining good engine health is your priority.
I like to run more expensive oils, preferably PAO based Mobil 1, such as EP or AP in my Jeep, and I plan on doing only 5k OCI's that may occasionally creep up or even draw out to 8k. I am fully aware that much less expensive oils will do the job well, including Supertech. However, I tend to run my Jeep pretty hard, so I like the high temperature safety margin these oils give, for situations such as rock crawling in 90+ heat. Would I ever really stress an oil like Supertech? Probably never, especially given that I'm running it in a Pentastar, which doesn't have DI or forced induction. I also want peace of mind in case an OCI gets drawn out due to life circumstances. I know with a Fram Ultra or M1 filter and M1 AP in there, for example, I could go 15k or 16k and not feel like I'm hurting anything. I know I could probably do that with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, as well.
So again, it may make no sense to someone and they may wonder why some run this kind of pattern. Is it a waste of money? Not in my mind. I wonder if some who jump up and down that this is a waste never spends money on unecessary things. I don't drink, smoke, or eat at expensive restraunts. I consider maintaining and tinkering with my vehicles as much a hobby as anything else.
I've done a UOA with each oil change so far in that Jeep, too. 25 bucks a pop. Why? Curiosity and entertainment. No other reason. I don't have anything happening with that engine that necessitates it. It runs, feels, and sounds like it is operating exactly as designed. I'll do another with this OCI because I went from Mobil 1 EP/AP oils to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and I want to see what it does differently. Again, curiosity, nothing more.
Btw, I paid through the nose for that PUP 0w20. You can't find it anywhere here, so I had to get it off Jet.com. I think I paid 35 or 40 bucks for a 5 qt jug. My plan is to change it at 5k. I'll post the UOA when I get there. I'm at about 3500, so it will be a little bit. I may also decide to go ahead and run it out to somewhere between 6k and 7.5k. It just depends on how I feel and where it lands on the calendar.
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