From: Santoken (santoken@bright.net)
Date: Sun Apr 20 2003 - 14:59:47 PDT
Mike, list,
HD (heavy duty) and ND (non-detergent) are not the same. Valvoline does
produce oils for many of the private labels (NAPA, Carquest, I think
even Kmart, etc).
A standard for motor oils today is to contain detergents. If it doesn't
say whether it is a detergent or non-detergent, then it's a detergent
oil.
How do you decide whether you need a detergent or non-detergent oil?
Glad you asked. A good rule of thumb is whether you have an oil filter
or not, but this may not always the case. Now, if your vehicle has an
oil filter, a detergent oil is probably in order. If it doesn't have a
filter, then normally you want an ND oil. The obvious reason is a ND
oil will not keep the engine debris in suspension. The oils that
contain detergents keep the debris in suspension and carries it to your
filter, where it's removed. Again, this may not always be the case, but
I have yet to see that 'rule' to be broken. While I'm sure that there
are 'old-timers' out there that would disagree with me, if I had a piece
of equipment that had an oil filter, it'd get HD oil dumped in.
Kent
Mike and Cheryl wrote:
>
> I went to Carquest today to buy a case of oil fro my 52 Dodge M37
> (3/4 ton Cargo truck). I usually buy the Valvoline Non Detergent 30
> weight. Older guy behind counter told me he didn't have a case of it and
> said their carquest brand oil is made by Valvoline and the SAE 30 heavy
> duty motor oil was the same. Looking at the back of jugs after I got home
> I read "A single grade lubricant designed with the newest detergent
> dispersants additives for modern engines." along with other stuff it also
> a API SL and SJ rated
>
> SL Current For all automotive engines presently in use. Introduced in July
> 2001.
> SJ Current For 2001 and older automotive engines. Introduced in 1996.
>
> I am about to return this and get my old Non detergent (I haven't used it
> yet).
> My old truck does have some sludge built up and I don't want anything to mix
> it in
> with the engine.
>
> Who is right can I assume that this is the same oil as the Non Detergent.
>
> Thanks
> Mike in Iowa
> mleaton@netins.net
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