Here's a search for 12 packs of oil jugs [costco.com] if you'd rather get them.
This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.
Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expiredHappyPixel posted Apr 9, 2025 10:45 AM
Top Comments
The stuff sold at a price point (bargain basement) will meet API SP and dexos1 will have a treat rate of about 8.5% wt in the engine oil. Treat rate is the focus for products sold under a bid as the additive is sold by the ton, the less you use the cheaper the product. The more premium stuff will meet ACEA, MB 229, VW 501, etc. and have a treat rate of closer to 13%.
Now the clincher for me is that cheap additive package will pair with a cheap viscosity modifier (VM), the stuff that makes it a 0W-xx, usually some olefin copolymer (OCP). These are what I refer to as dirty polymers because they tend to leave more deposits as they break down (piston walls, skirts, rings, turbo bearings).
Those premium packages because they need to pass more stringent Euro specs will use a styrenic type polymer usually a star polymer which is a cleaner and more shear stable VM. This helps us keep the pistons cleaner = less scuffing, blow by, better power, better fuel economy, and these days more importantly a cleaner turbo as those are very hard on oil.
In the end the cheap stuff will not kill your engine, but much like living on ramen noodles and McDonalds it isn't going to make that engine stay at like new performance. I used to formulate this stuff before I retired so happy to answer questions.
Lower viscosity in the US is for CAFE reasons, not motor longevity.
page 8 and 9
https://engineoil.api.o
Warren Oil
https://www.warrenoil.c
Made by
Join The Conversation
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
324 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Is the issue that the plastic bottle has a "white" strip rather than a "clear" strip? So you can't easily see the oil through the white plastic vs clear?
Curious if you have the same situation with your bottles. When you get a chance, let me know.
The bottle I checked is 0-20w.
Curious if you have the same situation with your bottles. When you get a chance, let me know.
The bottle I checked is 0-20w.
Not as easy as a working measuring strip on a bottle but it is a solution.
I do remember reading either reviews on Costco.com or comments on Slickdeals where a few people warned about it back before I bought it.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Remember that Costco is a volume warehouse and 16 and 40 weight oils are not the middle of the normal curve and would take longer to sell. Unlike a car parts store or even Walmart....
I do end up getting the 0W-16 from Toyota directly when they do the 25% off sale with free shipping over $75 and get filters and oil and washers all from this for 3-5 oil changes at a time (even wiper inserts and air filters if they are reasonable).
Shahhere
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Archimedes001
There are only 4 companies in the world that make the additives that go in oil.
https://youtu.be/e8dCFcF0qBQ?si=
The stuff sold at a price point (bargain basement) will meet API SP and dexos1 will have a treat rate of about 8.5% wt in the engine oil. Treat rate is the focus for products sold under a bid as the additive is sold by the ton, the less you use the cheaper the product. The more premium stuff will meet ACEA, MB 229, VW 501, etc. and have a treat rate of closer to 13%.
Now the clincher for me is that cheap additive package will pair with a cheap viscosity modifier (VM), the stuff that makes it a 0W-xx, usually some olefin copolymer (OCP). These are what I refer to as dirty polymers because they tend to leave more deposits as they break down (piston walls, skirts, rings, turbo bearings).
Those premium packages because they need to pass more stringent Euro specs will use a styrenic type polymer usually a star polymer which is a cleaner and more shear stable VM. This helps us keep the pistons cleaner = less scuffing, blow by, better power, better fuel economy, and these days more importantly a cleaner turbo as those are very hard on oil.
In the end the cheap stuff will not kill your engine, but much like living on ramen noodles and McDonalds it isn't going to make that engine stay at like new performance. I used to formulate this stuff before I retired so happy to answer questions.
The stuff sold at a price point (bargain basement) will meet API SP and dexos1 will have a treat rate of about 8.5% wt in the engine oil. Treat rate is the focus for products sold under a bid as the additive is sold by the ton, the less you use the cheaper the product. The more premium stuff will meet ACEA, MB 229, VW 501, etc. and have a treat rate of closer to 13%.
Now the clincher for me is that cheap additive package will pair with a cheap viscosity modifier (VM), the stuff that makes it a 0W-xx, usually sone olefin copolymer (OCP). These are what I refer to as dirty polymers because they tend to leave more deposits as they break down (piston walls, skirts, rings, turbo bearings).
Those premium packages because they need to pass more stringent Euro specs will use a styrenic type polymer usually a star polymer which is a cleaner and more shear stable VM. This helps us keep the pistons cleaner = less scuffing, blow by, better power, better fuel economy, and these days more importantly a cleaner turbo as those are very hard on oil.
In the end the cheap stuff will not kill your engine, but much like living on ramen noodles and McDonalds it isn't going to make that engine stay at like new performance. I used to formulate this stuff before I retired so happy to answer questions.
I watched that video when it came out and I was fully prepared for the supertech to be sh!t on . Especially by Speed who can use whatever he wants. If he says it's ok I'm listening to him before whatever nonsense you're blabbing about
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I watched that video when it came out and I was fully prepared for the supertech to be sh!t on . Especially by Speed who can use whatever he wants. If he says it's ok I'm listening to him before whatever nonsense you're blabbing about
Actually they do have at least 12% or more additive I said "can" because the treat rates vary a percent or so but yeah I know what's in them.
Ok so more research and he was a NASCAR guy and I get that he knows lubes for racing, I helped formulate some of the nascar oils they are different than pass car oils. We test on longevity and overall durability, hell NASCAR uses different materials we had to make a special formula using gear oil additive because they had DLC coatings on their tappets that aren't used in pass car.
Oh as far as "Actual testing" I ran them at Intertek and SWRI all of the actual engine tests to qualify for API and the ones for GM, BMW, MB, VW etc. so yeah I know what the actual engine tests are, not some made up test with coffee pots.
Can I out formulate him on a NASCAR oil, probably not, but to make your engine last a long time in a Chevy or BMW yes I can definitely help there.
Join The Conversation
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!