[KC406RS]

While looking for bargains at the local dollar general store I came across some motor oil that might be worth checking out. I think it was called Uni-Tech? On the label it said it was for 1998 and older vehicles. Would this be due to it having a high level of zddp? If so would it be worth buying it up before it is no longer made? The stuff is only $1.25 a quart.

[DanW]

What is the API spec in the starburst?

[JohnZ]

Also, look carefully on the label for the words "recycled", "re-refined", "re-constituted", or "re-formulated"; that's where most of the cheapo oils with brand names you never heard of came from.

[DjD]

Doesn't make sense to use 1998 as the break. Using a Camaro for example, there are no real differences in the '98 through '02 LS1 requiring the '98 to have more zink in the oil.

[JimM]

Originally Posted by DjD

Doesn't make sense to use 1998 as the break. Using a Camaro for example, there are no real differences in the '98 through '02 LS1 requiring the '98 to have more zink in the oil.

Unless of course, the stuff is "New Old Stock"? Some cans of API SF or something oil that's been sitting in a warehouse for near a decade perhaps?

Doubel check like John said for a "re-" and report back. Sounds like it could be promising.

[Badbird]

At a buck and a quarter a quart, I'd say it's some old used recycled crap that I wouldn't even use in my lawn mower!

[pdq67]

"SF" is about the last of the oil made that our engines needed if not mistaken!!

Jim, you win the CIGAR!!

pdq67

[DjD]

Originally Posted by JimM

Unless of course, the stuff is "New Old Stock"? Some cans of API SF or something oil that's been sitting in a warehouse for near a decade perhaps?

Doubel check like John said for a "re-" and report back. Sounds like it could be promising.

You could be right, I've seen stranger things than something manufactured in say '98 saying something like "use in '98 and older engines" when it comes from off shore manufactures...

[pdq67]

Dennis,

I'm almost positive Walmart sell's "SF" oil for about this price for older engines!

pdq67

[m21man]

oil is cheap engines are expensive. it's not worth it saving a few bucks i'd go with a wally mart dino oil. Something about oil from dollar general doesn't sounds good to me lol.

[pdq67]

m21,

That's not really so if the oil is made for the year made engines.

I've used Walmarts cheap Tech2000 oil and filters for more years than I care to remember!

And have ran it as long as 12,500 miles between changes a couple of times and I average 7 to 7500 miles between changes now!

ONLY b/c I commute in a carpool and we drive about 65 to 70 miles a day round trip! Therefore my engines are always ran long enough to steam any moisture out of their oil so that they never crud up!!

The inside of the engine turns some brown, but I handle that by adding a half a small bottle of good old MMO both in the oil and in my gas tank about every other change and it does me FINE imho!!

THAT SAID!!

If I was to only drive around town for 2 or 3 miles at a time or on dusty roads, I would change it a lot sooner, probably around 3,000 like I used to do when I ran around everywhere when I was a kid!

pdq67

[KC406RS]

It did say SF up on the corner of the bottle. Also on the back it had detergent underlined. I also would not even think about running some no name oil just because it was cheap but without the ability to get the oil we need it looks like it might be better then nothing. I had hoped it was some older oil that they bottled up to get ride of. If I can get by there today I will buy one and post a couple pics.

[KC406RS]

Well the oil brand was UNI-Lab not UNI-Tech and the model year was 1988 not 1998. I picked one up and snaped a couple pics.I does not say anything on the bottle to indicate it it recycled oil.Sorry the pics came out blurry.

[JimM]

API Standards address the additive package, and are very concise and strict.

API "SF" is a good oil that is very suitable for high performance engines with flat tappet cams. Specs have changed over the years, the current API spec oil for new cars would NOT meet SF specs (not enuf zinc, etc) just as SF oil would not meet current specs (too much zinc?)

comments?

[pdq67]

Buy it and use it knowing that it will do fine, imho!!

pdq67