Originally Posted By: ottomatic
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
...... House brands have been generally every bit as capable for most any normal use. I took a PCMO ST dino to 10k and 15k miles last year and it did stellar. There is no reason to think ST or AAP or AZ or Napa HDEO can't do what the others will in "normal" applications.
well or house brand liquor vs "top-shelf" liquors.
Impurities are distilled out of the top-shelf brands and they are smoother and have a richer, fuller taste.
house brands may have a bite and taste a little bitter or burning. They may even cause more of a hang-over.
They are called "well" liquors because they are kept in the speed rack or well. Top Shelf liquors are kept on the, yeah you guessed it, top-shelf.
I've always been "top shelf" and want the same in an oil.
I like call brands, too. But it's not really a good analogy.
Liquor is a very subjective topic, not unlike cigars, etc. There are as many, if not more, personal attributes to satisfy as there are directly measurable criteria. If you looked at things that are measurable, like proof or age, you can compare and contrast directly. You can even measure the ability to induce intoxication, acknowledging other inputs effects here. But "taste", color, etc is subjective.
When it comes to oils, we can measure inputs and outputs. With inputs, we look at VOAs. With outputs, we look at UOAs. I don't concern myself with how an oil smells or looks; I judge it by performance in how it protects and cleans.
Just not a good analogy overall between the two.
The bottom line is this: API licensed fluids are a very good bet towards solid performance. You can pay more, but you'll not get more ROI unless you extend. Data resoundingly proves this and I have yet to see anyone so macro data to the contrary.
