Snake oil salesmen

[Bill Foster]

Snake oils

If you have been a car enthusiast for a long time like I have, you have seen a lot of advertising for car additives. The first one that I remember was STP oil treatment. STP, which stood for

[jimmycthemd]

The main thing I've found in any machinery is to change the oil at regular intervals. I usually get 200k+ miles out of cars/trucks/etc. just by doing that, flushing the radiator and changing gear oil/auto tranny fluids around the recommended intervals. Just 'normal' maintenance goes a LONG way to keeping your investment running. Pay me now or pay me MORE later :-)

I've NEVER used the 'snake oils'.

[BioG8r]

I also use little to no "snake oils" but I have used toluene based octane boosters for our '88 Mercedes 300E, It has a 10:1 compression ratio since a rebuild. Sometimes we can't find high enough octane to keep pre ig knock at bay.
I do use synthetic oils in my cars and stretch to 5k on changes, 88 Mercedes 220,00 miles before rebuild - 03 Mitsubishi Galant 240,000 and still going strong, 92 Dodge D350 w cummins 280,000 still kickin strong, '11 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI 25,000 and hoping for 20 times that.
MAINTENACE IS THE KEY!!
We buy for the life of the cars - and don't mess with junk, our traveling has slacked off in the last couple of years but still expect flawless operation.
I always check for compression/do "tune ups" tweaks, in the winter months, when things slow down. The Mits has not had New Plugs for 70,000 miles, just cleaned and regapped reinstalled.
I also change All fluids at or near suggested intervals and replace worn out parts as needed, The Dodge EATS Balljoints about every two years. but to keep tires on it they MUST be replaced. It helps to be a gear head grease lover, but it is not a pre req. HOWEVER we avoid the afore mentioned "stealerships" like the plague! We have befreinded a local Parts store owner and a local mechanic they help when time doesn't allow us to do the job. It's amazing how far some good jerky and some quarts of beans will go in making friends.

[610Alpha]

So which of these are snake oil: "PRI-G" or "PRI-D" or "PRI-OCIDE"

http://www.priproducts.com/consumer_products.cfm

[jimmycthemd]

I don't consider fuel stabilizers as 'snake oil'. I also don't us it in my daily driver. Fuel doesn't stay in it for more than a week or two :-). I do, however, use it in my motorcycles, boat, lawnmowers, etc., when put up for the winter.

[WiseOwl]

I used to manage an auto shop. All you speak of is truth. They tried to get folks with "engine flushes", additives and the such at our Lube shop. Folks would come next door to me and said the Lube guys recommended all of this stuff and said I will be broke down if I dont pay for these services. We used to laugh and tell them that they were salesman who change oil. We would check out what they were talking of and if it was legit we recommended service, if not, we let them go on their way with no charge. Because of that honesty, I got tons of return customers. We actually changed oil a few times on my side while doing brake checks just because of the trust.


I wont put anything in my car but gasoline and oil. Maybe some Lucas every once in a while but everything else is a joke.

Good thread man.

[Bill Foster]

If all you have to do is replace the ball joints, that's great.

[Bill Foster]

So which of these are snake oil: "PRI-G" or "PRI-D" or "PRI-OCIDE"

http://www.priproducts.com/consumer_products.cfm

Non of those are snake oils. I store fuel for my generator and I always treat with Pri-G. After a year, I pour it in my Jeep and put in fresh fuel with Pri-G again. I've had no skunky gas since Y2K.

[BioG8r]

If all you have to do is replace the ball joints, that's great.

Since I have owned it. I have replaced the starter@240,000, brake pads x4 and shoes once, serp belt twice, Injection pump and the Brake Booster@ 200,000, A/C compressor around 160,000. The Dodge has been a very reliable workhorse. Two weeks ago I pulled 3 loads of 15 rolls of hay, Approx. 8 tons each load.
Been VERY happy with it.