Quote:
Originally Posted by oilman
Modern oils do contain plenty of anti-wear additives, it is often a misconception that because the level of ZDDP in modern oils is reduced to make them suitable for modern emissions systems that there has to be less protection. The ZDDP is replaced with other anti-wear additives and also the quality of the oil basestocks are so much better in modern synthetics than in older mineral oils that there is still plenty of protection. Also, ZDDP is only reduced in certain oils (API SM and SN spec) and there are current oils that are API SL and earlier that have a full dose of ZDDP.
The Shell Helix Ultra is a very good oil (it's what I use myself), but it's not the best on the market. If you want the absolute best protection, an ester based oil like the ***hs Pro S, Millers CFS, Red Line, Motul 300V or Gulf Competition are the ones to look at. I was hoping that one of those would get damaged in our warehouse before my service was due, but no luck, so the Shell was a good,
sensible option.
Cheers
Tim
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Oils are made to a very specific price and only some of the OEM car oils contain enough anti wear additives to really reduce wear to a minimum and they are expensive (Dealer only in most cases) and restricted to mostly 0w30's.
I agree it's nuts to try additives not made by a real engine oil company, which is why I stick to Liqui Moly as regards oil additives. VW paid for the development of Ceratec and it produces real good used oil analysis results, which is why I use it.
The reduced Zinc additives required for DPF approval were not replaced by any new additives, just maketing hype. Some companies did adjust their base stocks and use more Moly or Boron Adds but most just accepted the extra wear figures.
I tested a C3 version of Castrol Edge 5w40 and it doubled the wear metals!
Ceratec is about the only option to reduced Zinc, but it's too expensive to include in normal oils at present, although the German VW dealers are advising customers with issues to use it and most of their forums will say the same as I do, that 30 weight oils are bad news in older diesels or newer ones with fuel contamination issues.
The Germans do their homework and no one has ever found any of their additives causing an adverse chemical reaction.
Oil leak and burn rates depend mostly on viscosity AND coefficient of friction.The latter is lower with most full synthetics, although it also depends on additives like Moly that sometimes help fill in crevice corrosion voids.
When buying oils I steer well clear of non major brand (Castrol, Mobil, Shell and Liqui Moly) oils, as the US API standards are not checked for oils sold in the EU and Acea is based only on self certification, so you have to rely on the good reputation of the manufacturer and their quality control systems.