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I got a case of the Stens brand oil, it's labeled that it has zinc boosters. As in more zinc that normal brands of oil.

"Zinc boosters reduce engine wear to extend engine life."


I think I'm going to start using this this with all oil changes.

That is one of the oils i use.

Do you have scientific evidence that more zinc is beneficial for your engine? That sounds like marketing hype but at least we can pronounce it unlike many of the snake oil claims out there.

I don't have a degree or stayed ar a Holiday Inn last night but older oils had ZDDP as an anti wear additive. The EPA has mandated low levels of it in motor vehicle oils. That is one of the reasons most engines went to roller tappet lifters. The ZDDP helped stop cam and lifter wear in flat tappet engines. Oils not intended for motor vehicle use can have higher levels.

Hammermechanicman said:

I don't have a degree or stayed ar a Holiday Inn last night but older oils had ZDDP as an anti wear additive. The EPA has mandated low levels of it in motor vehicle oils. That is one of the reasons most engines went to roller tappet lifters. The ZDDP helped stop cam and lifter wear in flat tappet engines. Oils not intended for motor vehicle use can have higher levels.

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yea but how much more does it cost

Romore said:

Do you have scientific evidence that more zinc is beneficial for your engine? That sounds like marketing hype but at least we can pronounce it unlike many of the snake oil claims out there.

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Yes zinc has been pulled from engine oils again another dead stupid idea from people with just enugh knowledge to make them dangerous .
I really think the logic behind it is to destroy as many older engines as possible so they will be replaced more modern EPA compliant engines .
A lot of motorcyclist are shifting to diesel oils which still have he higher zinc levels.
Modern engines are designed to be very low load so they can get by with less zinc.
However they need to spin at higher speeds to reduce the loads on things like cams
Thus they use more fuel to go the same distance
Another ZERO sum law change.

Might look for an API rating. I see some of the new mower spec oils do have the SH or SJ rating which is the old school additive package, good for most mowers. I wonder if I could run that stuff in my old Camaro?

logert gogert said:

yea but how much more does it cost

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It would depend. You might check with your local mower shop to see if they can get it. And how much it would cost you. My old small engine boss used Kawasaki oil in everything, 10w-40. Because he said it had a higher content of zinc.

You can buy ZDDP additives from auto parts stores. Guys on the old tractor forums like 15w 40 diesel oil. That is what i run in my IH 184 loboy. SJ or SL oil is just fine for OPE. If it has a zinc additive package even better. The Kaw oil is good stuff but other oils at a lower cost are as good. Everybody has their favorite elixir to dump into crankcases.