Quaker State, Pennzoil, Shell Oil all the same?? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Will_w202 · #31 03-15-2007, 09:38 AM

If we're talking about saving a few hundred bucks on parts and services on our MBs, then we're talking. When Mercedes owners start wanting to stray from the engineers' list of approved oils, to save $2 a quart, it's hard not to be in disbelief. My buddy and I are doing brake pads and rotors next weekend. It will save me probably $300 as opposed to doing it at the dealer. I'll still continue paying the whopping sum of $5/qt for Mobil 1 though

Maybe I just don't have the stomach for it, and I'm a big pansy. Whatever.

Hyundai does make a great car. I'm a huge fan of the new Sonata. Was not slamming them at ALL. They're better than Honda and Toyota now. If anything, I was complimenting Hyundai as the maker of a low-maintenance, easy-to-maintain car

I'm also 29. Must be an old fahrt at heart

trueog · #32 03-15-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbrian63

The whole tone of this thread is further enforcing the statement I made in my original post - "people are intensely loyal to their choice of oils".

Part of my exposure while at SOPUS (the correct name for the conglomerate that owns Pennzoil/Quaker State/Havoline....) let me to see how much effort is expended defending the product against lawsuits from individuals who swear that the failure in their engine was caused by the oil. There's a lot of science (and I'll bet a fair amount of magic) that goes into figuring out what the true cause of a lubrication-related engine failure.

I can image Q.S. facing a lot of lawsuits, and mostly because they ask for it. Some of the Q.S. Canadian bottles promise 400k life for your engine if you use only QS. lol. We all know every engine isn't the same and some can never reach 400K....what can you due but sue Q.S. and hope you get a free engine minus legal costs ;-)...

wbrian63 · #33 03-15-2007, 03:02 PM

As they say "it's all about the Benjamins" (for non-US'ers - Benjamin Franklin graces the face of the $100 bill).

In order for QS to make that 400K claim (is it 400K KM or 400K Miles?), the marketing department figures it will generate more sales than it generates in increased legal costs.

Most major corporations have a "threshold suit" level - anything that even sounds like it actually might see court time and is "settleable" at or below a specific $ figure gets a settlement offer rather quickly. Of course, the price for the payoff is an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) where you promise not to tell a soul the terms of the settlement, and probably agree to never sue again.

As with most things in this world, it doesn't matter what's right, or true, but rather how much money will it cost/save. If right was all that mattered, MB would replace all the biodegradable wiring harnesses for free, fix every spring perch without question, R&R every instrument cluster, etc. etc. - but right isn't the primary concern.

skhagen · #34 03-15-2007, 06:01 PM

Traditionally, Pennsylvania crude oil was one of the worlds best. sought after by all race teams. Today I couldnt say or guess as to its quality. I do know it had been one of the first to implement molibdinum as a lubricant additive and was found in raw stock naturally. Kendall and a few others held propriatary rights to a super lube that extended life of engines far beyond convetional oil of the day. sheaffer oil still blends thier oils with old world technology and has a great synthetic with moly added. Todays bearing rarely require it since they no longer shear oil (roller bearings).

Penn crude and Moly was the forefather of synthetic properties used today. Kendall performance oils used it till last year.

It became to exspensive and caused some sludge in modern engines due to tighter machining tolorences and better bearings. The molecular structure was to large.

Bottom line penn state crude oil that was harvested in the region had better properties than todays crude found worlsd wide, but with current addatives all oils are considered equal by SAE standards.

So give the Penn oil's thier due, it had a big role in what we use today as a better lube.

Dyno is Dyno and Syn is Syn, Mobil 1 is great and all I use except in my HD which has roller crank bearings and needs the premium moly additive, if you can find it.

LUCAS racing additive still has a moly additive widely used in true performance engines and gear boxes exsposed to high stress and pressure with no substitute.

My .02 I put it in the gear box or diff. Check temp, youll agree.

Try it youll like it, no foaming either.

Hirnbeiss · #35 03-15-2007, 06:34 PM

Consumer reports test from 1996

trueog · #36 03-15-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

Consumer reports test from 1996

Thanks for the article, answers alot of questions. Here's somethings I found interesting...

" One notable effect of STP Oil Treatment was an increase in oil viscosity; it made our 10W-30 oil act more like a 15W-40, a grade not often recommended. In very cold weather, that might pose a risk of engine damage. "

"None of the tested oils proved better than the others in our tests. There may be small differences that our tests didn't reveal, but unless you typically drive under more severe conditions than a New York cab does, you won't go wrong if you shop strictly by price or availability. Buy the viscosity grade recommended in your owner's manual, and look for the starburst emblem. Even the expensive synthetics (typically, $3 or $4 a quart) worked no better than conventional motor oils in our taxi tests, but they're worth considering for extreme driving conditions high ambient temperatures and high engine load or very cold temperatures. "

"We don't recommend stretching the change interval beyond the automaker's recommendations, no matter what oil you use. Engine combustion contaminants could eventually build up and harm engine parts.

As for STP Oil Treatment, STP Engine Treatment, and Slick 50 Engine Treatment, our advice is simple: If you use an oil with the starburst symbol, you don't need them "