Originally Posted by kschachn
Originally Posted by HDoilDude
Which/whose lab test will show the effectiveness of a modern add-pack?
Looking at the UOA of Dustyroads, seems to test the same parameters as Blackstone.
I've got no dog in the fight, just trying to share a little data with the world.
The licenses, certifications and approvals the oil carries are what show the effectiveness of a modern add-pack, and you don't even have to pay extra to find that out. They are printed on every container.
A UOA can be useful for other things such as coolant, fuel or silicon contamination, or to show the remaining TBN if you wish to perform extended drains. But it does not show the effectiveness of the additive pack. Blackstone themselves indicate that between appropriately rated oils there is no statistically significant difference in "performance". For the most part the differences you see in a UOA are due to the operating conditions or the specific engine under consideration, not the oil. Without additional sample processing such as an acid digestion it's not even a good tool for predicting impending equipment failure.
Thanks for that explanation. Gotta trust that the lobbying trade association (API) is looking out for my engine's best interest and not just appeasing stricter emission laws, after my money, etc. I guess!