back in my days of mechanics school, and given what I've learned through trial and error, the best advise one could give is don't put any additives in your oil. Different oil brands have different detergents in the oil, additives can in fact counteract these detergents. Not to mention, think about it... if there was some magical additive that could be put in oil that makes it so much better, do you really think oil companies wouldn't add it to their oil to increase sales?? Always use the exact same oil durring oil changes and never put in any additives. The only think I've ever heard a GOOD tech advise to be put in your oil is about 1/4 qt of standard ATF; it has a little more detergents in it, and flow modifiers... instead of attacking any build up, it will slowily, over time and oil changes clean it away. I personally just stick to high quality oil; there are no magic formula's in a bottle to cure mechanical problems. It defies science.

 

DTS419, PAO= PolyAlphaOlefin which is a basestock created for lubricants from ethylene gas that are heated, compressed, and run thru a catalyst like nickel. It is a gas to liquid technology. Most folks think of these basestocks as a true synthetic. They were first produced by Standard Oil back in 1928. Chevron revisited the technology back in 1954 for jet engines and military applications. Now, most all motor oil producers make it or have a line of oils that use it. It is not a magic bullet by any means. It has lots of bad characteristics that are dealt with by adding other fluids and additives. All motor oils, regardless of basestock, are a compromise, synthetics included.

Marvel Mystery Oil by their MSDS is a 20 viscosity oil with a small amount of detergents. Frankly, there is far more value in a cheap 5w-20 than in this fluid. But don't try to tell that to the millions of folks that use it- it will cause an arguement.

Hope this info helps.

 

I think that the 2 previous posts sum up the additive debate.

 

My feelings exactly