Over the weekend at a local car show some of the club members started a discussion over changing oils. Well, it got pretty intense,not sure why. The question was is switch oils really bad on a motor. Some people buy what every is on sale for each oil change. Some stick with a brand. Some run one brand for x amount of miles then switch to another. What is the boards feelings on the issue. I personally feel that sticking with a brand is the best insurance.

I've tried sticking to a brand, Q-State 10W30 for the most part. I've used additives though such as Slick 50 & Marvel Mystery Oil for valves, guides and top end lubricating. Anyone else have thoughts on such additives

I ran accross a web site devoted to questions like this. Try going to it - guaranteed it'll hold your interest, if you're into oil!

www.bobistheoilguy.com

I've tried sticking to a brand, Q-State 10W30 for the most part. I've used additives though such as Slick 50 & Marvel Mystery Oil for valves, guides and top end lubricating. Anyone else have thoughts on such additives

My thinking (which could be wrong) is that if these additives are so wonderful, wouldn't they already be in the oil? I mean these oil companies have a bit of money to spend on R&D. I can't see the folks at Marvel or whatever sitting around a laboratory whipping up wonderful concoctions that a fully funded lab at say Exxon-Mobil hasn't already worked on. The oil companies already put in all the additives you'll ever need. Don't be duped into those gimmicks.

Marvel Mystery oil has been around since the early 1900. This oil has been used by the NAVY-airforce-etc. It is an excellent product for all engines and also as an additive for gasoline-diesel-all internal combustion engines. Its been proven that synthetic oil is a better oil for most cars.If the car is worn out-synthetic isn't the product to use. Redline oil products are excellent but $$ expensive.

IMHO, I think its best to stay with the same brand and weight of oil. But you have to start off with a good oil, then don't change it.

When comparing oils and additives, I believe just like most things designed, the final price the product is to be sold/marketed for often dictates the quality of the product. With oils, Petroleum Engineers have to decide on what additives etc..to blend in but also keeping in mind the product has to be sold and priced competativly.
So, IMHO, there would be additives etc... that could make an oil better and its not allready in the oil because if it was it could not be priced competatively with similar oils and brands of oil.

IMHO, I think its best to stay with the same brand and weight of oil. But you have to start off with a good oil, then don't change it.

When comparing oils and additives, I believe just like most things designed, the final price the product is to be sold/marketed for often dictates the quality of the product. With oils, Petroleum Engineers have to decide on what additives etc..to blend in but also keeping in mind the product has to be sold and priced competativly.
So, IMHO, there would be additives etc... that could make an oil better and its not allready in the oil because if it was it could not be priced competatively with similar oils and brands of oil.

But if your oil has all these magical additives, it would justify the price. A lot of consumers buy into the idea of more expensive = better. Besides, those snake oils aren't that expensive. Why wouldn't the oil companies add those if it only raised the price a few bucks? Have you seen what synthentic oil goes for? A halfway decent marketing campaign would brainwash enough people into buying that stuff. I honestly think that the best additives are already in the oil. No snake oil is going to improve a quality oil, or at least enough to justify the price. IMHO.

Just go out and buy a good synthetic (Mobil 1, Redline, etc). Change the oil regularly and use a good filter. That's the best thing you can do for your motor.

But if your oil has all these magical additives, it would justify the price.
What are the magic additives, and in what quanaties are they in there, I am sure there are varying opinions on this. Zinc being one of them.

A lot of consumers buy into the idea of more expensive = better. Besides, those snake oils aren't that expensive.
Why is Mobil 1 more expensive then other oils? Is it not better? What are these snake oils you speak about?

Why wouldn't the oil companies add those if it only raised the price a few bucks?
Because then Brand X is more expensive then Brand Y, because Brand Y thinks that additive is not warranted, so due to price, Brand X looses some market share to Brand Y. Both claim to be the best oil!

Have you seen what synthentic oil goes for? A halfway decent marketing campaign would brainwash enough people into buying that stuff.
I believe the Marketing has worked, there are people buying and using synthetic oil now. Lots of positive claims with synthetic oil out there.

I honestly think that the best additives are already in the oil.
Which oil? Mobil 1 or Walmart cheapy or somewhere in between.

No snake oil is going to improve a quality oil, or at least enough to justify the price. IMHO.
You maybe right, some oil additives have a specific purpose like EOS or Marvel Mystery Oil, I don't consider either of these products snake oil, but they do provide a use that regular oil doesn't provide.
Just go out and buy a good synthetic (Mobil 1, Redline, etc). Change the oil regularly and use a good filter. That's the best thing you can do for your motor.
I totally agree.