Originally Posted By: Brian Barnhart
Trying to establish tiers doesn't make much sense to me. Certainly not by brand. It would only make sense to me if it were according to testing requirements met. And even then, the “order” of the teirs would likely change somewhat with different engine applications.
+1
I think there are "special" oils that offer additional benefits at the extremes (Amsoil, Redline and the like), the ultra-premium extended intervals from the big-boys... and then everything. Unless you are operating at the extreme edges of needs, the difference in the benefits just are not there. I say M1 is a better oil than my Havoline Syn (but not by much) but M1 is not going to give me any additional benefit... sure is not going to make any of my engines last longer.
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
But even the oil makers have tiers, so it's not arbitrary for us to put oils in tiers.
Mobil has Mobil 1 EP, then Mobil 1, then Super Synthetic, then Super 5000, then Special.
AMSoil has Signature Series, XL, and OE.
Valvoline has Synpower, Durablend, and Premium Conventional.
Yes, but each of the maker's levels do not add up. I would put Synpower on the same level as Mobil Super Syn. And no matter how the UOA come from Castrol, it just has way too high of a seagull and Gulf Shrimp content for me to ever consider it anything other than a scum-sucking bottom feeder.