After being seduced by that stupid plastic display at the oil change shop, I had them add Lucas Oil Stabilizer to the oil my last oil change. On the next cycle I made sure this crap wasn't added because I have concern over it increasing the thickness of the oil. Since going back to pure 5w20, the engine already seems a bit more peppy.

The engine has about 70k miles.

Is there any chance that the Lucas caused any long term damage? I've read concerns about it clogging the oil squirters. I am not sure I'd even know if it did. If it did, hopefully they will get unclogged.

I assume I am right in *NEVER* using this crap again, at least on an engine that doesn't have major trouble? I mean, I throw it in my old 1997 Ford Explorer with 217k miles and think that's probably just fine, but for a modern engine I worry that this causes the oil to be out of spec. After all, these engines are carefully designed.

Thoughts?

 

I think your fine...ive used lucas in all my cars, I think its in your head that using 5w20 will make your engine more peppy

 

Thanks!

I agree it surely is in my head.. the placebo effect for cars, lol. I simply got worried once I researched oil viscosities and started wondering about the increased thickness of the oil, as the Lucas stuff is pretty thick. Of course, I don't know if they used the Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer or the Pure Synthetic Oil Stabilizer in the car, the latter of which Lucas recommends for light weight oil cars.

This Scion has been a great car, bought it used over a year ago with 50k miles on it. Haven't had any troubles except whoever had it last, or maybe the Mazda dealership I got it at, put on cheap brake pads that eventually caused warped rotors. Once I had them machined and real Toyota brake pads put on at the Toyota dealorship, it is perfect. Great affordable, stylish car.

 

It did no harm, and likely won't. No need to worry at all.

 

yeah i've seen the "peppy" part after any oil change. It's most likely because the old oil is just that OLD and the engine needs to have some new oil to bring it back to life. So that part is probably not in your head