Zinc In Oil For Old Cars

With the government setting mandates on manufacturers covering the service life of catalytic converters over 100 000 miles this caused nearly every oil manufacturer over the last 10 years to slowly remove zinc from the ingredients in their oil.

Zinc in oil for old cars.

But the reduction of zinc levels particularly were a threat to old car engines. Ilsac multi viscosity oils that are rated sm even feature special additives used for older engines that experts recommend for use in. Nov 15 2019 by. The effects of zinc oil additives on older engines.

Under new governmental emission control regulations the anti wear additive zddp zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate and a related family of similar zinc salt additives zndtp or zdp and others are being severely reduced in the newest passenger car engine oil so that the zinc and phosphorus will not damage new catalytic converters. Castrol markets a classic xl line of retro oils. Higher zinc levels in oil typically are for performance cars on the whole. Zinc zddp and zdtp is especially useful for cars with flat tappet camshafts which means a lot of classic cars hot rods and older muscle cars need zinc more than other cars.

When it comes to older engines and classic cars high zinc content is a must and some oil manufacturers even sell special engine oil that comes with elevated zdtp or zddp zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates content. Amsoil z rod synthetic oil contains 1400 ppm zinc. Using a high zinc oil with a high dose of zddp additives helps protect classic car and hot rod engines. While the formulations of modern oils have changed along with the innovations that keep the automotive industry moving forward your older car s specific lubrication requirements were frozen in time the day it was built.

High zinc oil for classic cars. Recommended for pre 1980 cars their multi grade 20w 50 is formulated with. Diesel oils soon followed suit until today no oil that is approved for on road use contains zinc. This means that not all current oils are appropriate for antique autos or even for those.

Today many of the well known oil companies are offering oils formulated for vintage and classic cars. Regardless if you are purchasing off the shelf oil for your classic car ilsac multi viscosity oils rated sm or cj 4 should have stated zinc and phosphorus additive supplements for use in older engines or an additional separate additive should be purchased and used with the new oil. Chances are your classic car needs zinc oil additive to stay running strong. Admin almost everyone who s into cars has an older vehicle that they love.