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From: lambert@vax4.DEC
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: indestructable autos
Message-ID: <7444@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Apr-84 11:17:10 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.7444
Posted: Fri Apr 27 11:17:10 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Apr-84 10:28:01 EST
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 38

Subject: Re: indestructible autos

First off, I have always heard that the syntho-oils were not all that they
were cracked up to be, mainly due to the fact that their chief claim to
fame is their long "life" - the fact that they retain their viscosity for a
longer period of time (and under more adverse conditions) than petroleum
based oils.  This may be true, but oil in an engine still gets dirty.  It
should still be changed often and regularly, regardless of the type of oil
used.  Therefore, you're perfectly welcome to pay $2-$3 a quart for
syntho-oil that should be changed in the same timespan as good ole Quaker 
State.  Also, can you get the stuff at the local gas station when you're
down a quart?  If the benefits really outway the cost for you, go for it.
(The dealership that sold me my GTI uses Quaker State products, and Q.S.
offers a liftetime guarantee on their oil that says they will replace your
engine if it ever dies due to "oil-related failure", provided you always 
use Q.S. oil.  Don't know how much trouble you'd have if you tried to make 
a claim, but I like guarantees....)

As for other things for extending the engine's life:  There are several
Teflon oil additives on the market now, and I've heard that they DO work 
well.  You put them in your oil and they form a thin (permenant?) Teflon 
coating on the insides of your engine.  One brand name that comes to mind
is "TC3" or something like that.  I've seen it sold at auto shows, but I
haven't seen it in the stores.  As I remember, it carrys the standard "if
it breaks your engine, we'll replace it" warranty.  Supposedly, a
manufacturer of this stuff put on a demo at a local track.  They took a car
with a new engine and the additive in the oil and ran it for 5 minutes.
Then they drained all the oil out and proceeded to drive the car around the
track for several laps.  The engine didn't seize, and apparently didn't
suffer any severe damage.  Now I didn't see this with my own peepers, so I
can't swear by it.  It did come to me from a reliable source, however.  Has
anyone else ever heard of these things?  Is it just another "Motor Medic"
gimmick? 

Good luck with your truck,

-- Sam Lambert
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