Two Questions..........

First, I have a tan 1992 Accord EX. The paint, including the clear coat, has
held up very well. I have a few spots on the hood from tree sap. What is the
best way to get rid of them?

Second, I've noticed that over the years the ratings for motor oils have gotten
tougher as the designations have gone from SC to SD to SE right up to SL. Let's
assume that my '92 was designed to run on SF. Does that mean that using today's
SL actually gives me added insurance?
JIMBO

 

Some of the changes (progress ?) in oils has been to do with emissions
qualification: removal of ZDDP anti-wear additive and lower viscosities in
general. No doubt the current basestocks are of better lab measurable
quality in terms of viscosity index and stability and the ZDDP (Zinc
Dialkyl Dithio Phosphate) has been replaced by MoDDC (Molybdenum Dialkyl
DithioCarbamate) in the better engine oils.

The removal of ZDDP was a serious retrograde step for high pressure
scuffing, like cam lobes and followers but the MoDDC seems to have fixed
that, though I'm not sure how widely it's been adopted in lower cost oils.

I'd say that there is some expectation of overall improved performance but
the long term engine lubrication effects of the newer hydrocracked
basestocks is somewhat of an unknown. There's certainly nothing I see
which would convince me to extend drain intervals as some mfrs are now
recommending.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Thanks much.

I hadn't heard the term ZDDP used in a long time. I remember back in the early
70s, when I was in high school, FM radio disc jockeys would do commercials for
a product called 'Stud'.

(It's logo was somewhat erotic looking bull standing on its hind legs and each
container came with a window decal.)

The DJs would stumble as the pronounced 'Zinc Diakil Dithio Phosphate'. Half
the time they to stop the script and just 'what is this stuff'.

I often wonder what ever became of Stud.

JIMBO

 

Google turned up only one reference which mentions it:
http://www.virtualsalt.com/think/semant1.htm

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=zinc+dialkyl+dithiophosphate

ZDDP is an extreme pressure agent used in most motor oils

 

Sorry, I realize now that you are not talking about ZDDP.