OP
OP
Love the info / feedback - thanks "DoIDon'tI.
Like you and many others my preference is to prime brands like Castrol, Mobil, Texaco, Selenia etc. The main point is that other good alternative brands like e.g. Halfords are not total crap and likewise Castrol etc. are not "snake oil". This is where the whole thread started and what we are all sharing. Though all is possibly obvious and proven to us it is hopefully informativeand enlightening to less experienced members out there.
The real "curved ball" in this recommended/suggested oil choice is that unless you service the car yourself, or provide the garage with your own oil (and some garages my refuse this) then the oil you get is the oil they use. Could be Selenia, Castrol, Mobil, Comma, etc. Most if not all dealers/garages buy oil in bulk. 50+ gallon cans delivering oil like compressed air. Many Fiat dealers do not use Selenia but may have Shell or Castrol bulk commercial contracts. Bottom line is provided the correct oil specification is used then the garage, dealer and vehicle manufacuturer are legally covered. Beyond this then we are into the 'politics' of oil and as we know we can all get 'hung-up' on many different 'things'.
I recall reading an article many, many years ago on a water lubricated ceramic engine. Ceramics have been used in many places/engine parts over the years but this research article had the crank, conrods, pistons and block all made from ceramics and ceramic based materials. I seem to recall that the basic theory was that ceramic parts can be accuraretly manufacured, are diamond hard and wear resistant so correctly mated parts required little lubrication and a simple continous and adequate water film was all that was required. Given this being true then one wonders if tap water would be better than bottled water? I don't think the researchers cared one little bit. All that was required was water.
The big bug bear for me with the 'oil question' is what size is the can. Many of the premium brands use 4L cans so you have to buy 8L to do a 4.25L or 4.50L oil change. Or a 4L can and a 1L top-up size where the 1L bottle costs the equivalent of 2L to 3L from a 4L can. Total rip-off.
Like you and many others my preference is to prime brands like Castrol, Mobil, Texaco, Selenia etc. The main point is that other good alternative brands like e.g. Halfords are not total crap and likewise Castrol etc. are not "snake oil". This is where the whole thread started and what we are all sharing. Though all is possibly obvious and proven to us it is hopefully informativeand enlightening to less experienced members out there.
The real "curved ball" in this recommended/suggested oil choice is that unless you service the car yourself, or provide the garage with your own oil (and some garages my refuse this) then the oil you get is the oil they use. Could be Selenia, Castrol, Mobil, Comma, etc. Most if not all dealers/garages buy oil in bulk. 50+ gallon cans delivering oil like compressed air. Many Fiat dealers do not use Selenia but may have Shell or Castrol bulk commercial contracts. Bottom line is provided the correct oil specification is used then the garage, dealer and vehicle manufacuturer are legally covered. Beyond this then we are into the 'politics' of oil and as we know we can all get 'hung-up' on many different 'things'.
I recall reading an article many, many years ago on a water lubricated ceramic engine. Ceramics have been used in many places/engine parts over the years but this research article had the crank, conrods, pistons and block all made from ceramics and ceramic based materials. I seem to recall that the basic theory was that ceramic parts can be accuraretly manufacured, are diamond hard and wear resistant so correctly mated parts required little lubrication and a simple continous and adequate water film was all that was required. Given this being true then one wonders if tap water would be better than bottled water? I don't think the researchers cared one little bit. All that was required was water.
The big bug bear for me with the 'oil question' is what size is the can. Many of the premium brands use 4L cans so you have to buy 8L to do a 4.25L or 4.50L oil change. Or a 4L can and a 1L top-up size where the 1L bottle costs the equivalent of 2L to 3L from a 4L can. Total rip-off.
