Z-Max

KMT15 · March 2, 2003

I just bought this at Pep Boys today. Saw the info mercial and was convinced, but I talked to the guy at the Jiffy Lube oil change and asked him about it. He said he hasnt heard much good about it. Has anyone here used it? was it worth it? should I return it for something else?

-KMT15

Tucson_02Silverado · March 3, 2003

Go to synthetic oil at 4500 intervals, return the Z-max and take that monies (at the moment is already spent) and buy a nice dinner with your significant.

speedshifter · March 4, 2003

I buy it all the time. Theoretically, it should work. Its got something in it called Linkite which is what soaks into the metal. Back in the early 90s, my dad used to buy cases of linkite at his olds dealer he worked at. The 3.1L motors had a problem with a piston slap noise coming from the factory on some models. You would pour in some linkite and let the car run for a 1/2 hour and the problem was gone for good. Saved a lot of warranty time.

I have a 3100 cutlass now with the noise. I poured in the ZMax and the noise is still there. Its because the Zmax has added linkite, not straight linkite. So pouring this diluted stuff in doesnt work as well. I have to say after using it on every other oil change for about 2 years, my piston noise has greatly reduced. My passengers don't notice it, but I do because I know what to listen for.

So yeah, its a overpriced precautionary measure.

DSBall · March 4, 2003

Your money is better spent on Mobile1 oil

Roger · March 8, 2003

I had a 98 Dodge Ram that had the infamous knocking and pinging. A friend heard about this product, so I bought it and tried it. Tried it thru 2 oil changes (about 7000 miles total)too, to give it a chance to work. No improvement either with the knock or mpg.

I'm not a fan of trying snake oil, but I wanted the knock and ping to go away. At 35,000 I tried tufoil, and that did get rid of the knocking and pinging, but at 40,000 Dodge bought the Ram back (thank GOD for the lemon law).

Just my 2 cents on zmax.