On Avoiding Oil Additives

[hankosaurus]

Hello Forum.

I read the following in my 2000 Ranger Owner's Guide, page 167:

"Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments, or engine treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions, lead to engine damage which is not covered in your warranty."

I will guess that most of you have heard of many products that are sold to be added to oil, some with religious fervor and testimonials from true believers in them. A late night radio talk show for truckers comes to mind. I have not put anything but oil into my oil. The only thing I have changed is by switching to 5W-30 Synthetic for high mileage vehicles (@ 154K in my case). No leaks, and for which I am thankful.So far, so good.

Am I missing something in being more than merely suspicious of oil additives?

 

[DeanMk]

The Overdrive Trucker news, or Truckers report....something like that.
Yes, I remember that one.
Brief news quip that came on around 12:30 or 1 am, told you about industry happenings.
I used to listen to that when I worked on the big trucks, especially on those nights when I drove home.
As for the owner's manual quote, could be their warning about additives are in reference to a number of "fly-by-night" products that have come down the road.
When I had the Mazda, I noticed the shifter would get a little balky in the winter months, so one particularly nice spring day, I decided to change out the oil in the tranny (thinking it was old and had lost its viscosity. It wasn't).
When I refilled it, I added 1/2 a bottle of STP and topped off the rest with whatever weight that thing took (80/90? something like that).
Worked like a champ. Shifter didn't feel anymore smoother, but it didn't lose any smoothness during the winter months, either.
I ended up putting the other 1/2 of the STP in the rear end.