Oil Additive Opinions?

Ian Mills · May 19, 2021

I'm coming up on my next oil change and wanted to pick brains. I always use Mobil1 Full Syn High Mileage and a Wix 51522XP along with a 3k mile interval. In other vehicles I have used Marvel Mystery oil and Lucas oil stabilizer but I've never really had clear results from them. I have a little bit of normal valvetrain noise but overall it's running smooth at a bit over 170k.

What additives do people like and should I just stick with the Mobil1?

Sharpz · May 19, 2021

My opinion, none. If its not broke dont fix it. I too use Mob 1 full syn. Over 300 k no issues, no check engine lights, engine running great.

newdude · May 19, 2021

None. Don't change a thing. Lucas Stabilizer can and will cause oil foaming and aeration.

Grumpy Bear · May 19, 2021

1 hour ago, Ian Mills said:

I'm coming up on my next oil change and wanted to pick brains. I always use Mobil1 Full Syn High Mileage and a Wix 51522XP along with a 3k mile interval. In other vehicles I have used Marvel Mystery oil and Lucas oil stabilizer but I've never really had clear results from them. I have a little bit of normal valvetrain noise but overall it's running smooth at a bit over 170k.

What additives do people like and should I just stick with the Mobil1?

Your current method and products is serving you well and should continue to do so for quite some time now. Keep them.

Additives are normally used to 'fix' something you don't want to fix. Lucas you mentioned, is a very viscous material that when used as directed turns a less viscous material into one more so. You could do the same thing by using a higher SAE grade oil of the same API classification. Motor Honey, Stud and STP are on that list.

Marvel and other low viscosity additives do the opposite and it's a crap shoot. Wynn's Friction Proofing is on this list.

Z-max is a chemistry that is incompatible with nearly all oils and while it reduces friction it does so at the expense of corrosion. Chlorine is not a friend of bearing materials.

Slick 50 is one of many PTEF additives that work...for a few minutes. Or on paper they do IF in large enough concentrations which are never available in a form that will remain in suspension.

Bottom line, IMHO anyway, it that a 'good oil' doesn't require, can not benefit from and can be damaged by such in use. If you need a heavier or lighter oil...buy it.