First and foremost, any person really needs to know about their own unique equipment. There are always going to be outlying concerns about some engines that are sludgers, some transmissions that don't self-lubricate well, etc. But those are not the norm. And to the best of my knowledge, this specific vehicle does not have any traits that would make it a concern for gross fuel dilution, sludge, coolant intrusion, etc. So my following comments are predicated on this OP and his vehicle.
All I try to point out is that folks often approach the entire lube topic with emotion, and they tend to ingore facts. Facts that they even PAY for, above and beyond what is needed.
So why pay for a UOA, that confirms one is wasting cash on a product that does NOT distinguish itself above an alternative, only to ignore the very data you paid money for? That is waste heaped upon waste!
I have ZERO problem with people doing what they want to do. What they Want to do. What they WANT to do. But that has nothing to do with what they need to get their equipment to safely survive hundreds of thousands of miles, based upon any particular use pattern and OCI plan.
I have no qualms with emotions; we all have them, including me. I do many, many things that satisfy myself emotionally. But I don't try to obscure the "feelings" by using some tired, worn-out, misplaced addage like "it's cheap insurance". I own many guns; it makes me happy to do so. But I don't try to pass them off as "needs", nor do I try to convince other people they "need" more guns, just because I have an emotional affinity for them. I might be able to reasonably argue why someone might need one gun; I cannot find cause to justify why someone needs nearly three dozen. I am a grown-up; I can recognize and acknowledge the difference between wants and needs.
This UOA proves, with evidence he paid for with his own money, that he is wasting money on using syns for his application. If he chooses to ignore the information he paid for, that is his perogative. But that does NOT invalidate my two points; he's wasting money on lube and he's wasting money by ignoring the data he paid for.
Just because many folks don't like my candor, does not mean I'm incorrect. I might be objectionable, but I'm not wrong. I state positions, and then I back them up with clear evidence. In this particular situation, I am utilizing the very data the OP paid for, as proof that this lube returned completely average results and did not prove itself "better" by any means in any way than a lesser cost alternative.
And no measure of "feelings" will change those facts.
Let me completely flip this on it's head, and change topics, but I'll come back around to the total concept at the end. This will touch home, too closely, to some of you I suspect.
Consider if I were an alcoholic ...
I tell you I "need" another drink. And not only another drink, but I "need" some high-end expensive scotch. Do I really need that premium drink, or do I just want that high-end stuff? From a purely bio-medical standpoint, my body is craving the alcohol, in any form; it is an addiction. And further, as my health deteriorates, I see the doctor; he tells me I'm killing myself by poisoning my liver. So, I'm buying high-end liquor to satisfy an emotional desire, and then ignoring advice that I paid for. Do I "need" the high-end premium scotch, when any cheap rot gut would have the same effect? Do I "better" myself by ignoring the medical advice I paid for?
Sound familiar?
Don't we, as BITOGers, have a responsibility to synthetic junkies to call out their wasted product and wasted information?
I have no problem if some guy wants to waste his money on whatever he chooses. But those of you who protect the addict are not helping him. And you're not helping those who come to this site as newbies or lurkers, looking for good advice. I suspect, in some manner, that it's often synthetic junkies whom protect other synthetic junkies. They "feel" personally attacked when anyone challenges their practice, even when it's not their own UOA that is being discussed. You may believe you're defending him, but in actuality you're hurting him by not being honest. I'm dishing out tough love, and some folks detest me for it. So be it.
There is nothing wrong with the OP doing all this to satisfy his emotional desire; it's not going to kill him or his car, and I have no problem with that. But don't call this anything but what it is; it's waste heaped upon waste. And I would challenge anyone to accurately describe it in any other manner, with proof to back up your claim.
