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Manufacturer's preferences are good while the vehicle is under warranty. However, we all know that manufacturer's try to force the consumer to buy only thier products saying they are better for maintenance..etc...etc.
In my opinion, based on years of dealing with older, high mileage vehicles, and on the recommendations of mechanics from around the country, I use oils that are designed for the older, heavily used engines.
Other factors to be considered are atmosphere, altitude, tempereatures, terrains, etc.
For example, here in the Deep South or South West where temperatures can range into the hundreds during the summer and the teens in winter if not colder, I have been advised to run a thicker oil in the hotter climates, and a thinner one in the colder climates.
The U. S. Military learned this one during the Korean Conflict. The heavy oils they were using in military vehicles at that time actually froze in the harsh Korean winter, effectively shutting down convoys. They had to keep the engines running 24/7 to prevent this from happening.
Thus, a manufacturer has no idea where the vehicle will be taken to, under what circumstances it is going to be submitted to, or how long it will last under any given situation.
Like my father taught me growing up: Follow the manual while under warranty, once out of waranty, then follow common sense and mechanics recommendations.
Also, when an engine is built, like mine 14 years ago, whatever the school of thought at that time was considered "the best" may now have been proven to be obsolete, incorrect, dangerous, etc. Things change over a period of time. 1 also should consider the advancements in oils and engines that have been made in the last 14 years that weren't available back then, so again mere technology may render a manufacturer's recommendation null and void.
Another thing I have learned over the years of traveling is to have my engine adjusted and tuned to the local terrain if I am going to be there for any length of time. For example, when I moved to Estes Park, Co. in 1997 I was advised to have my engine adjusted to allow for the difference in fuel/oxygen mixture, as the air was much thinner being at those altitudes; Same thing when I moved to California, etc etc. Again a manufacturere has no clue to what extremes a nomad such as myself will submit their products to.
Just my 2 cents worth.
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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601
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