[W126 Coupe] 560 SEC Oil

[jralex at ix.netcom.com]

OIL? Are you guys talking about the 710 cap on my motor? Jono is right about the reduction of zinc in motor oils. The form of zinc is ZDDP which is zincdimethydithiophosphate. Actully it is the phosphate that the non scientificpseudointellectuals are concerned about. You know, the beaurocrats who know what is best for everybody. Are'nt we lucky to have them. The motor oil companies are very frustated. They say things cannot be done and the idiots demand that we at least try. Castrol decided it did not want to compete for the synthetic market since polyalphaolefin is at market price for all, so they went to court to challenge the word 'synthetic' saying that since the refining processes such as hydrocracking was in itself a synthesised product. Mobil fought them and lost and SAE no longer uses the term. So how does one know if they are buying a full PAO. Hard to say now thanks to Castrol. Mobil and most others who say full synthetic probably are. PAO has far greater thermal stability and oxydation resistance and is a better base stock and will certainly offer better cold start protection especially in cold weather. Now to be fair to petro products they are just as good in most important areas of concern and I would not hesitate using them. They all have great additive packages today but the future might cause us to look to specialty companies. As far as high milege oils it is a new category to gain market share but they do add a little more anti-sludge etc. Jono, I did read in Hot Rod some engine builder of fame uses 'moly paste' in areas for first cranking and he uses Rotella Diesel early on because of better anti-wear properties. Petrol or Synthetic? Use either one with confidence and change often but maybe stretch a few more miles with syn. Synthetic is a better oil for those who never check under the hood.More forgiving. Jim Alexander