Lube City: Oil Guide 101 - Page 3

Performance Parts and photos by Ricky “RikDaddy” Chu

Lucas Oil

Type: High Performance

Oil Filter Available: No

Used in pretty much every racing series, the Lucas High Performance synthetic motor oil would more than suit the needs for your engine. Beyond just the typical lubrication provided by oils, this one has extra additives to help further reduce friction inside of your motor. You’ll definitely see improved gas mileage and notice less clicking noises coming out of your engine bay. This oil was specifically designed for both on and off track uses and is said to prolong the life of turbo cars, which is crucial considering the excess heat that they create. It’s almost as if Lucas designed this oil for the Subaru WRX that we are using it on…er in.

ENEOS Sustina

Type: Full Synthetic

Oil Filter Available: No

To most, ENEOS is not a common household (or garage) name quite yet. As far back as I can remember, which isn’t that far anymore, ENEOS was only known and used by those enthusiasts obsessed by JDM. Now the brand is being more recognized by the public and they have just released the Sustina line made with a technology called W Base. This technology allows the Sustina to provide extra lubrication for your motor at colder temperatures, which in turn will prolong your engine’s life and increase gas mileage. There’s also a ZP additive that keeps cleaning your engine while it’s running to keep your pistons looking and running like new. Depending on where you live in the world, your biggest challenge will be to trying to track down ENEOS oil but it’ll be well worth your time if you do.

Redline

High Performance

Filter Available: No

Redline’s High Performance line of motor oil is said to increase the piston ring seal in your engine, which will lead to more power, longer engine life, and better gas mileage. Out of those three benefits, I can’t think of one that I’d want to give up. Redline tests their oils in different conditions and temperatures so that you can trust that it won’t break down on you when you need it most and that’s usually when you’re stuck somewhere without cellphone reception. Also inside the oil mix are cleansing agents that will help flush out any nasty build up whenever you decide to do your next oil change, which probably won’t be for a while. This oil specifically caters to light trucks and sport compacts so if you have a big meathead truck you might have to search elsewhere to find oil for it. More notable is the 1200ppm of zinc and phosphorous inside of Redline oils that protects from the heat and friction given off inside of our sport compact motors that have overhead cams.

K&N Performance

Wrench-Off Oil Filters

For the longest time, it was a pain in the ass trying to find an oil filter for your car. It was either the OE replacement or Fram. Not that there’s anything wrong with those, but it’s always nice to have some variety. Come on, we’re guys over here. Thankfully the people over at K&N, known forever for their air filters, wised up and came out with a line of oil filters. Before we get to the insides of these filters, the most notable difference is that there is a nut on top of it. Or as they like to say, their filters have nuts. This is for the majority of us that forget where our oil filter wrench is or just don’t have one. Hell, even if you had one sometimes the spot you’re trying to reach doesn’t even fit a giant oil filter wrench. The one-inch nut welded to the top of the filter makes it way easier to slip a wrench into a tight area so you can loosen it with ease. Now for the more important fillings that make up the oil filters. K&N uses a unique material that is able to trap out 99% of junk trying to get into your engine while still being able to flow a high rates. The filters are designed to use with synthetic oils, but those aren’t required. The application list is pretty long so the chances of finding your car or truck on there is more likely than not.

Sources:

AMSoil

DC Sports

K&N Filters

Lucas Oil

Pennzoil

Quaker State

Redline Oil

Royal Purple

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