I’m Calling Out Some Manufacturers!
Do Oil Additives Improve Horsepower and Fuel Economy?
Introduction to Testing Oil Additives
- The video begins with an overview of the popularity of oil additives, highlighting thousands of requests for testing their effectiveness.
- The presenter outlines the goals: to test if these additives improve horsepower, fuel economy, and engine safety.
First Additive: Liqui Moly MoS2 Anti-Friction Engine Treatment
- Liqui Moly claims to protect against engine wear and provide immediate friction reduction without needing extensive mileage.
- A quart of motor oil is mixed with 80 ml of Liqui Moly for testing; Pennzoil's Ultra Platinum 5W-30 is used as a base oil.
Flow Rate Testing at Ambient Temperature
- Initial flow tests show how each additive affects motor oil viscosity; BestLine flows fastest while Lucas is slowest.
- Results indicate that some additives thin out the oil while others increase viscosity, which can impact performance.
Cold Temperature Performance Test
- The first vehicle tested is a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with over 320,000 miles; cranking amps are measured to assess starting ease.
- Regular motor oil requires more energy (1,516 watts) compared to when Liqui Moly is added (1,392 watts), suggesting easier starts.
Highway Performance Tests
- Various data points are collected during highway driving at a constant speed; initial results show high RPM and fuel flow rates.
- Fuel economy calculations reveal slight variations in efficiency between regular motor oil and those blended with Liqui Moly.
Second Additive: Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer
- Lucas claims its product eliminates dry starts and seals worn cylinders; it costs $12 and has high customer ratings.
Third Additive: Best Line Engine Treatment
- Priced at $25, Best Line uses nano diamond technology for lubrication but has a strong odor noted by the presenter.
Fourth Additive: Pro Lube
- Pro Lube costs around $39 and claims significant benefits like reduced friction and extended engine life.
Fifth Additive: Archoil AR9100 Nano Lubrication Technology
- At approximately $40, Archoil aims to reduce wear through solid boundary lubrication but shows mixed results in tests.
Heat Resistance Testing
- High-temperature tests measure evaporation tendencies of different oils; Liquid Moly performs well under heat conditions compared to others.
Final Analysis & Conclusions
- An aggregated analysis compares wear metals across all products tested against pure Pennzoil Ultra Platinum.
Should You Use Oil Additives in Your Vehicle?
Impact of Pro Lube on Pennzoil TBN
- Pro Lube contains an acid that significantly lowers the Total Base Number (TBN) of Pennzoil to 5.8, indicating a reduction in its reserve alkalinity to neutralize incoming acids.
- Despite this, all oil and additive combinations tested maintain a safe TBN when new, raising the question of whether oil additives are necessary for vehicle maintenance.
Customer Reviews and Performance Rankings
- Many customers report positive experiences with oil additives, making them appealing options for consumers.
- A ranking based on testing data shows that five out of six products provided satisfactory results regarding new oil flow; however, faster flow is not necessarily better.
Testing Results: Heat Exposure and Flow Performance
- The oil mixed with Lucas did not perform well in terms of flow compared to other brands. Four out of six brands performed equally well under heat exposure tests.
- Pro Lube suffered damage from heat exposure, resulting in a last-place finish among tested products; only Liqui Moly matched the performance of standard motor oil.
Recommendations on Using Oil Additives
- The speaker suggests using additives as temporary solutions ("band-aids") for specific engine problems rather than as regular maintenance for healthy engines.
- High-quality motor oils should be used instead, with recommended changes every 5,000 miles or less to maintain engine health—illustrated by the speaker's experience with a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban still in excellent condition after following this practice.
Viewer Engagement and Feedback Request
- The speaker expresses interest in viewer feedback regarding their use of motor oil additives and encourages comments for future video ideas, emphasizing community involvement in content creation.
- A closing note thanks viewers for watching and invites them to look forward to upcoming content while encouraging care for their vehicles.