Aug. 04, 2025
Environment
People know even less about oil additives than they do about fuel additives. Maybe it's because people forget about their oil since they only think about it when it's time to change it every 3 months or so. Oil doesn't have that "top of mind awareness" that fuel does because drivers see how much gas they use every time they fill up. Some even keep track of the costs every time they fill up, too. But consider that even if you don't think about it often, the health of the engine oil is more important to the life of the vehicle than fuel ever was. And that means oil additives are essential to the long-life and value of the vehicle.
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What kinds of oil additives are there? Are they any good? Let's look at an overview of the situation.
Engine manufacturers have done lots of testing to try and figure out what is needed from a lubricating oil to protect the engines that they design and make. The American Petroleum Institute issues grades for engine oil that are shorthand for a certification that the particular kind of oil contains what is needed to protect a given kind of engine. These certifications are listed in letter-number format, like CI-4 and CJ-4. Your vehicle's owners manual will list the class designation of oil that is recommended for your vehicle.
It's a little known fact that common engine oils sold on the shelf already contain additives. These additives turn ordinary base oil into the kind of oil needed to provide the best protection for today's modern engines. In other words, they help oil fulfill its basic functions in the engines. What are the oil's most important functions? You would think it's all about reducing friction and wear - and you'd be mostly correct. But that's not the only thing motor oil does, by any means. It protects metal surfaces from particulate wear, keeps acids under control, and even performs the essential function of keeping the engine cool by helping to dissipate heat away from engine surfaces.
To help, detergents, dispersants, anti-acids, friction modifiers and viscosity modifiers are always included in the additive packages that come standard with today's oils. And they all fulfill specific roles in helping the oil provide the best protection possible.
Detergents keep metal surfaces clean by removing sludge contaminants. Dispersants work in conjunction with detergents to give the oil the ability to take particle impurities (like dirt or soot in the engine) and suspend them in the oil film, away from metal surfaces, so they don't cause damage. Anti-acids are a broad class of additives that neutralize the acids produced in the engine environment. Without them, these acids would cause corrosion and damage in the engine. Viscosity modifiers are used to help the engine oil maintain the best viscosity across the broadest range of temperatures and conditions that the oil is likely to face. And friction modifiers (like ZDDP) are added to improve the oil formula's ability to cope with high pressure conditions.
Given these facts, what we really want to know is whether we should pay any extra for any of these "aftermarket" oil additives sold off the shelf. To make a good decision, you have to know what you're buying and what it will actually do vs. what it claims to do or what you're expecting it to do. Let's take a look at the general categories of common oil additives. Note that any product names that we happen to mention are the sole property and copyright of their respective manufacturer(s).
- Lucas makes some very popular treatments that work to improve the lube oil's stability across a range of temperatures and conditions. Generally speaking, these kind of products work fairly well, but the consumer should be cautious about the kinds of claims that are implied by these products. There is a difference between correctly claiming that boosting the antioxidant level in an oil will make it last longer, and making additional claims that doing so will improve gas mileage by, say, 10%. We're not saying Lucas specifically says this, but there are similar products out there that have no qualms about doing just that (what could they be? Well, we know that one of them is a "mystery").
- examples of this can be Dura Lube or Slick 50. These will try to improve or extend the oil's extreme pressure protection capacity, typically by supplementing the "EP" additives already present. Their working mechanism revolves around some version of bonding to or coating of metal surfaces with something that makes them "extra slippery". Dura Lube and similar products use an old technology called chlorinated paraffin. Slick 50 was famous in the 80s and 90s for claiming to use Teflon ("the world's slipperiest substance") to reduce friction in the engine. We're not here to break down all the claims for these types of additives, but one should be aware that most of these companies have gotten into trouble over unsubstantiated claims of large benefits to the engines they're used in.
Because we (Bell Performance) make an oil additive, we'll have consumers asking us how ours compares to products like Lucas or Prolong or STP oil treatment. It's hard to do comprehensive testing to verify all the claims made by every product out in the marketplace, though we did do an very interesting extreme pressure protection study with some aftermarket products a few years ago. So you might be thinking that what we're saying is you can't really know what's best. Our advice to consumers trying to decide is to be cautious about product claims, especially claims relating to how an oil additive may boost mileage. Certainly, a healthy oil supply is a lot better for engine performance and life than old worn-out dirty oil. And you could get some mileage boost, but you're never going to buy or use an oil additive just because you want better mileage. You will get the most benefit and bang for your buck if you buy and use oil additives with the expectation that it's going to augment the benefits you're already getting from your base oil, all while making sure that you do the proper oil change schedule for your vehicle. No oil additive is going to be able to overcome sloppy maintenance practices.
Engine oil plays a crucial role in keeping a vehicle’s engine running smoothly and efficiently. However, base oil alone is not enough to provide complete protection and performance. This is where engine oil additives come into play. These chemical compounds are blended with lubricating oils to enhance their properties, ensuring optimal engine function, reduced wear and tear, and improved fuel efficiency.
In this guide, we will explore the different types of engine oil additives, their functions, and how they contribute to enhancing engine performance. Understanding these additives can help car owners make informed decisions about maintaining their vehicles and selecting the best engine oil additive for long-term performance.
Engine oil additives are specialized chemical compounds added to base oils to enhance lubrication, reduce wear, and maintain engine cleanliness. These additives generally make up 10-30% of an engine oil formulation, depending on the specific application and the performance requirements.
By choosing the best engine oil additive, car owners can extend the life of their engine, improve efficiency, and reduce maintenance costs.
There are several types of engine oil additives for cars, each designed to address specific engine requirements. Understanding their functions can help vehicle owners select the right combination for their needs.
The viscosity of engine oil changes with temperature. In cold conditions, oil can become too thick, making it difficult for the engine to start. In hot conditions, oil can become too thin, reducing its ability to lubricate and protect engine parts. Viscosity Index Improvers help oil maintain a consistent viscosity across a range of temperatures.
These additives are especially important in modern multi-grade engine oils, ensuring that the oil performs well in both high and low temperatures. By stabilizing the oil’s viscosity, VI improvers help reduce engine wear, improve fuel efficiency, and enhance overall performance.
Detergents are essential for keeping an engine clean. Over time, carbon deposits, sludge, and varnish can accumulate on engine components, reducing efficiency and increasing wear. Detergent additives help neutralize these contaminants and prevent their buildup, ensuring that the engine operates smoothly.
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These additives are particularly important for high-mileage vehicles and engines that operate under extreme conditions, as they help maintain internal cleanliness and prevent performance degradation over time.
While detergents clean surfaces, dispersants work to keep contaminants suspended within the oil so that they do not settle and form sludge. Without dispersants, dirt, soot, and oxidation by-products could accumulate, leading to clogged oil passages and reduced lubrication efficiency.
Dispersants are particularly useful in diesel engines, where soot buildup is a common issue. By keeping contaminants in suspension, these additives help prolong oil life and reduce the risk of engine damage.
Oxidation occurs when oil is exposed to oxygen at high temperatures, leading to the formation of sludge and varnish. Antioxidant additives slow down this oxidation process, helping to extend the lifespan of engine oil and maintain its protective properties.
By preventing oil degradation, antioxidants contribute to better engine cleanliness, improved lubrication, and reduced maintenance costs. These additives are essential for vehicles that operate under high-stress conditions, such as heavy-duty trucks and performance cars.
Friction between moving metal components can lead to wear over time, reducing engine efficiency and increasing the risk of damage. Anti-wear additives create a protective film on engine surfaces, reducing direct metal-to-metal contact and preventing excessive wear.
These additives are particularly important in high-performance and high-mileage engines, where reducing friction is crucial for long-term reliability. Phosphorus-based compounds like zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) are commonly used as anti-wear agents, providing excellent protection under extreme pressure conditions.
Friction modifiers help reduce internal engine friction, leading to better fuel efficiency and smoother operation. By altering the interaction between moving surfaces, these additives help engines run more efficiently and minimize energy loss.
Many modern synthetic engine oils contain friction modifiers to optimize fuel economy, making them a popular choice for drivers looking to improve performance while reducing fuel consumption.
Moisture and contaminants in the oil can cause metal surfaces inside the engine to rust or corrode over time. Corrosion inhibitors form a protective barrier on metal components, preventing oxidation and extending engine life.
These additives are particularly important for vehicles that are not used frequently or are stored in humid conditions, as they help protect the engine during periods of inactivity.
When oil is agitated during operation, it can produce foam, reducing its ability to lubricate effectively. Foam inhibitors prevent excessive foaming, ensuring that the oil remains stable and provides consistent protection.
Foaming can be a serious issue in high-performance engines and industrial machinery, where rapid movement and high-pressure conditions can lead to air entrapment in the oil. By eliminating foam, these additives help maintain optimal oil performance.
In cold weather, engine oil can thicken and become sluggish, making it difficult for the engine to start. Pour point depressants lower the oil’s freezing point, ensuring that it flows easily even in extreme cold.
These additives are especially useful in winter-grade engine oils, preventing cold start issues and reducing startup wear on engine components.
Selecting the right engine oil additive for a car depends on several factors, including:
Using the best engine oil additive can improve performance, reduce wear, and extend oil change intervals, leading to cost savings and better long-term engine health.
Engine oil additives are crucial for optimizing engine performance, minimizing wear, and ensuring long-term efficiency. The right additives can help improve fuel economy, extend oil life, and protect your engine from harmful deposits and corrosion.
Are you interested in learning more about automotive oil additive? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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