Using STP in oil

dakota-kid · #1 06-10-2009, 12:48 PM

97 2WD 3.9 V6 113K miles Dry climate
I've changed oil, filter, and lubed regularly for 63K miles (bought it with 50K miles). I'm wondering if there would be a benefit (now that the miles are up there) to start adding STP oil treatment. Also, what is the downside of doing this?

I had two Toyota 20R engines (car/truck 76/77) that I bought new and always used STP (changed my own oil, tuneup, etc.) Sold both of these with 85K miles and compression was excellent.

Thanks,
Steve

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f0x672 · #2 06-10-2009, 12:57 PM

these engines dont need oil treatment. if you're going to run anything like that either switch to synthetic oil, amsoil, or use the lucas oil stabilizer.

01SilverCC · #3 06-10-2009, 01:30 PM

All it really does is make the oil thicker. I have heard it really causes a lot more problems than it helps to fix. It really provides no real benefit. You could switch to Valvoline Maxlife and it will be much more beneficial. It's made for high mileage engines and is at the high side of the given viscosity rating. 10W30 Maxlife is a bit thicker than 10W30 conventional and a lot thicker than 10W30 synthetic. Maxlife is a really stout synthetic/conventional blend and it works great. It has conditioners for the seals and to help stop leaks and it has more detergent properties to keep your internals clean and help if you are burning any oil.

You can also use the Napa store brand High Mileage oil. It is made by Valvoline and is nearly identical to Maxlife, but it costs about half the price. Whatever differences between the 2 are very minor. I used Maxlife from 65,000 miles until I found out about Napa HM around 100,000 miles. The Napa oil works great in my truck, but I may switch to Napa conventional to save a little on gas this summer. I run the Napa brand 5W20 in my girlfriend's Honda and it works great there too.

Whatever oil you use, any good quality oil will work well over a reasonable oil change interval. Some go 5 or 7,000 miles. I change mine at 2800 to 3000. Use a good quality filter too. I like the Napa ProSelect. It is made by Wix for Napa and works great for a $3.00 filter. Napa Gold is a great filter too, both are some of the best quality and construction you can buy. The advantage to a Napa Gold is it can be run for a longer mileage oil change interval.

My opinion is STP oil treatment has no benefit and is a waste of money and can be harmful to the engine. You can visit www.bobistheoilguy.com and find that a lot of others feel exactly the same.

Jimmy

dakota-kid · #4 06-10-2009, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the comments. Also, the link to the lubricants site.

rtdakota2001 · #5 06-10-2009, 06:34 PM

i dont know, i have been using lucas oil in everything with a motor i have ever owned, it's been good to me, but then again, all my vehicles are high mileage.

rpowell · #6 06-10-2009, 06:42 PM

Valvoline Maxlife blend and Lucas are both good products that I have used for awhile. I have 158,000 miles and still running strong, but I am also very anal about maintenance. Spending a little extra along the way is better than big $ money because something broke. I have heard it is not good to switch to full synthetic after the 75,000 mile mark, so I think any of the major brand blends would be fine.