Steve said:
An engine isn't a piece of leather. You can't "condition" metal. Its
snake oil, just like all the others.
I, for one, have always gotten at least 200,000 miles (my lowest-mileage
engine currently has 202,000 miles on it) out of engines just with good
oil and regular changes. Not even religiously at 3000 miles- quite often
up to 5000 mile intervals- but I never let an engine run low on oil or
go beyond 7000 miles on a change. There's absolutely no need for these
goofy products.
Too broad a brush, Steve. I have no opinion on Restore (never used it -
prboably read the label in the store once or twice).
Regarding additives, I strongly believe that in specific situtaions,
they may be justified. Example: If I find out after the fact that the
particular engine in my car is prone to **serious** sludging up and
resulting total failure with minor neglect (late oil changes) like
certain Toyota engines and the 2.7L Chrysler engine, I would definitely
(along with changing the oil religiously at 3000-3500 miles with new
filter each time) buy some extra insurance and put something like Marvel
Mystery Oil in with each oil change (which I actually do with my
Concorde with 2.7L - presently at 98k miles and running great).
It's exactly like: I don't believe in putting tourniquettes on my arms
and legs just for piece of mind, but you can bet in the right medical
emergency, I would use one to save my life.
I have also used MMO to cure a valve lifter clatter due to dirt or
varnish in a Subaru engine that needed it in spite of very regular
maintenance - a common cure (ATF works well for that too).
I won't argue that any given additive shouldn't be used without specific
reason, but when there is a specific problem that can be fixed by using
one, I do it. (Full disclosure: I won't lie - along with regular oil &
filter changes, I actually use MMO in all my cars as preventative
against sludging.)
Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")