Talk about cars and motoring here!

[Adrian Wong]

Got the Hyundai Sonata 2.0.

Been reading up on fuel additives. According to most authorities, they do nothing at all. Especially those based on PTFE (Teflon). They may improve fuel consumption but they also increase engine wear.

However, I still have half a bottle of Tufoil left... Should I use it on the Sonata??

It has some PTFE but they are basing their claims mainly on the use of soluble molybdenum.

Till today, there's no definite review of Tufoil. Yeah, I saw the link Jeremy posted above but I'm not sure about its accuracy or trustworthiness.

[Adrian Wong]

BTW, talking about engine oil... I've been using 15W50 motor oil for my old Proton Wira.

But after reading the Engine Oil Bible (http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html), I think it would be better for me to use oil with fewer polymers (meaning a small range). Is that correct?

What would be an ideal choice for Malaysian weather? We are doing something like 25-35oC, I think.

Maybe I should just go for SAE40 oil? Or 20W50 oil?

[AAY]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Got the Hyundai Sonata 2.0.

Congratulations!

Been reading up on fuel additives. According to most authorities, they do nothing at all. Especially those based on PTFE (Teflon). They may improve fuel consumption but they also increase engine wear.

However, I still have half a bottle of Tufoil left... Should I use it on the Sonata??

I've never been much a believer in oil additives, but I don't think they generally have detrimental effects on the engine. Why waste the bottle? Just dump it in .

In general I think the one pretty sure way to keep your engine healthy for a long time is just regular oil and filter changes - you don't have to use expensive synthetics (though I'm a fan of synthetics, I kinda remember the crazy prices Mobil 1 goes for in Malaysia) as long as the oil gets changed as often as the manufacturer says.

[Majormaggot]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

BTW, talking about engine oil... I've been using 15W50 motor oil for my old Proton Wira.

But after reading the Engine Oil Bible (http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html), I think it would be better for me to use oil with fewer polymers (meaning a small range). Is that correct?

What would be an ideal choice for Malaysian weather? We are doing something like 25-35oC, I think.

Maybe I should just go for SAE40 oil? Or 20W50 oil?

wow thats a thick oil, but over here in canada the typical oil for new cars is 5w 20, as for additives, waste of money, unless u have a old car i would only rec. Lucas Oil supplement (doubt that u have that over there), and remember a bigger wheel means heavier and needs more braking power to stop, i don't know what the stock size tire is for that car, but u shouldn't exceed anything over 2 sizes eg, 14 in. to 15 ok, but 16 u will need to upgrade your brakes, also a low profile will give better handling (and wouldn't throw ur speedo out too much) if u like to hug the curbs, but its hell if u don't watch out for pot holes.

my .02

-Major

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by AAY

Congratulations!

I've never been much a believer in oil additives, but I don't think they generally have detrimental effects on the engine. Why waste the bottle? Just dump it in .

In general I think the one pretty sure way to keep your engine healthy for a long time is just regular oil and filter changes - you don't have to use expensive synthetics (though I'm a fan of synthetics, I kinda remember the crazy prices Mobil 1 goes for in Malaysia) as long as the oil gets changed as often as the manufacturer says.

Thanks! It's a very smooth ride.

Well, the thing is some sites claim that the PTFE gets stuck in the oilways and prevent oil from reaching some parts of the engine, causing oil-starvation and therefore, increased engine wear.

Of course, Tufoil claims their PTFE won't do that.

They also claim their soluble molybdenum will reduce engine wear and improve mileage. But no one has been able to confirm that is true. I mean, there are some reviews that show reduced fuel consumption. But nothing yet about increased engine wear.

I'm worried that the PTFE in Tufoil can increase engine wear...

About synthetics, I need to find out what they have been using previously, since it's a second-hand car.

And I gotta check how much synthetics cost these days.... From what I read, there doesn't seem to be any point in using semi-synthetics. Might as well go for fully synthetics, right?

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Majormaggot

wow thats a thick oil, but over here in canada the typical oil for new cars is 5w 20, as for additives, waste of money, unless u have a old car i would only rec. Lucas Oil supplement (doubt that u have that over there), and remember a bigger wheel means heavier and needs more braking power to stop, i don't know what the stock size tire is for that car, but u shouldn't exceed anything over 2 sizes eg, 14 in. to 15 ok, but 16 u will need to upgrade your brakes, also a low profile will give better handling (and wouldn't throw ur speedo out too much) if u like to hug the curbs, but its hell if u don't watch out for pot holes.

my .02

-Major

I'm sticking with the stock wheels for now. No point changing them, I think. Can't afford to anyway!

Yeah, it's a thick oil. I heard it's better to use higher SAE grades for tropical temperatures.

Hmm.. talking about tropical weather, do we actually need multi-grade oil?? I mean stuff like 15W50 is supposed to allow the oil to work at both low temp. and high temp.

But since Malaysia is a tropical country, why not just use SAE40 or something like that?

One thing though.. I remember reading that multi-grade oil will improve fuel consumption by a few percent...

[AAY]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Well, the thing is some sites claim that the PTFE gets stuck in the oilways and prevent oil from reaching some parts of the engine, causing oil-starvation and therefore, increased engine wear.

I would imagine the filter would trap the PTFE particulates before it can clog up the oil passageways. Most of the major oil passageways on car engines are pretty big too, so no real fear of absolute oil starvation in major parts of the engine... I think Slick 50 got into a little trouble a few years ago over their claims and they had to settle with the FTC...that only serves to strengthen my attitude towards oil additives. Good oil will go a long way towards preserving engines (i.e. the famous million mile Mobil 1 BMW).

About synthetics, I need to find out what they have been using previously, since it's a second-hand car.

I don't believe there's any real harm in switching from mineral oils to synthetics...just note that not all synthetics are the same - some are derived from mineral oils and some really are synthetic. Since the car's relatively new and Hyundais of that age should have come with two-year warranties, it is probably reasonable to assume that the car was sent back to Hyundai service centres for most maintenance. I think they usually use synthetics when they do oil changes...you might be able to get a copy of the car's service record from your dealer.

And I gotta check how much synthetics cost these days.... From what I read, there doesn't seem to be any point in using semi-synthetics. Might as well go for fully synthetics, right?

I can't really remember what the costs were in Malaysia, but I remember them being quite a bit higher than they are here in the US. For example, I can get a 4-quart bottle of Mobil 1 for $20, and I think I've seen the same stuff go for about RM150 back home. Crazy, innit?

Oh another handy tip before I forget - Hyundai America actually publishes their service manuals and bulletins online at http://www.hmaservice.com . You have to register, but registration is free and open to anyone who wants to. Pretty handy if you want to do some maintenance yourself.

[PowerSlide]

larger wheel mean the engine hav to work harder to push the wheel hence higher FC..not only dat it can killed the driveshaft coz of the load coz in the 1st place the car is not design to take a larger wheel..

but tats the price to pay to hav a nice big wheel..lastly bigger tyre cost even more

lower profile tyre will make a bone breaking ride..but in handling is jus sweet..lower profile tyre lesser sidewall n while corners doeant flex much compare to a thick sidewall tyre..

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by AAY

I would imagine the filter would trap the PTFE particulates before it can clog up the oil passageways. Most of the major oil passageways on car engines are pretty big too, so no real fear of absolute oil starvation in major parts of the engine... I think Slick 50 got into a little trouble a few years ago over their claims and they had to settle with the FTC...that only serves to strengthen my attitude towards oil additives. Good oil will go a long way towards preserving engines (i.e. the famous million mile Mobil 1 BMW).

That's what happened to some of the PTFE additives out there. But according to Tufoil, their PTFE particles are in the 5-10 micron size, which should slip past all filters.

Yeah, Slick 50 is a farce. All reports that I've read about them refutes all their claims.

Originally Posted by AAY

I don't believe there's any real harm in switching from mineral oils to synthetics...just note that not all synthetics are the same - some are derived from mineral oils and some really are synthetic. Since the car's relatively new and Hyundais of that age should have come with two-year warranties, it is probably reasonable to assume that the car was sent back to Hyundai service centres for most maintenance. I think they usually use synthetics when they do oil changes...you might be able to get a copy of the car's service record from your dealer.

I have the service booklet. Just need to call them up to find out exactly what oil they used.

Originally Posted by AAY

I can't really remember what the costs were in Malaysia, but I remember them being quite a bit higher than they are here in the US. For example, I can get a 4-quart bottle of Mobil 1 for $20, and I think I've seen the same stuff go for about RM150 back home. Crazy, innit?

WOW.. That's EXPENSIVE.

Originally Posted by AAY

Oh another handy tip before I forget - Hyundai America actually publishes their service manuals and bulletins online at http://www.hmaservice.com . You have to register, but registration is free and open to anyone who wants to. Pretty handy if you want to do some maintenance yourself.

Hey, thanks!! I just read their manual the other day. Very comprehensive! Certainly better than any Proton manual!

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by PowerSlide

larger wheel mean the engine hav to work harder to push the wheel hence higher FC..not only dat it can killed the driveshaft coz of the load coz in the 1st place the car is not design to take a larger wheel..

but tats the price to pay to hav a nice big wheel..lastly bigger tyre cost even more

lower profile tyre will make a bone breaking ride..but in handling is jus sweet..lower profile tyre lesser sidewall n while corners doeant flex much compare to a thick sidewall tyre..

Wait, I think you are referring to a larger tyre (tire) size, not the wheel size.

The larger wheel will only affect fuel consumption if it's heavier. I think if you use alloy wheels, then it will be lighter and may actually reduce fuel consumption.