# Truth wanted: Does DuraLube actually work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2002, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244 "2002-04-12T15:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/21 "2013-03-24T20:38:44Z")
When the [dura](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dura_mater) is in need of lubrication, usually it is supplied by the body. But if one is not producing enough lube on one’s own, DuraLube would probably not be my first choice to lubricate dura mater (tough mother). I’d probably opt for half normal saline. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/22 "2013-03-24T21:10:18Z")
Incidentally, this thread wasn’t too long after Dura Lube settled a big false advertising lawsuit with the FTC: [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/03/motor.shtm](http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/03/motor.shtm) I’m suprised nobody mentioned it back then. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/23 "2013-03-24T21:15:57Z")
> [@Morgainelf](#): > > Not pertinent to the DuraLube conversation, but I had to jump in. There are some great products advertised in infomercials. It can be a very cost effective means of direct advertising, and shouldn’t reflect negatively on the product. There are some products that are so new/revolutionary/unusual that it is nearly impossible to demonstrate their merits in a retail situation. Direct marketing is sometimes the only way a company can ensure that a product is presented fairly. You’ll excuse me if I invoke something I learned from a co-worker many years ago. During a long reading of some smarmy company announcement, she kept pointedly holding her arm straight up over her head. When I asked her about it later, she said it meant… “Save the watch; the shoes are gone!” ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/24 "2013-03-24T21:18:49Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Sure. You can also skip putting in the DuraLube and do the same thing. Precisely. Back when it was Slick 50 making all the claims, they’d put the goo in an engine, run it a bit to magickafy the wear surfaces, then drain all the oil out. By golly, the engine would run an hour, two or more with no oil at all. What incredible stuff! Of course, if you choose an engine not sensitive to things like camshaft wear, it helps. But mostly, you never run the test on an un-Slicked engine… because it would run just as long without oil. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/25 "2013-03-24T21:19:39Z")
Frankly, there are tons of oil additives, with no real evidence that they do any good. Why wouldn’t fleet operators or state police vehicles use them? I remember that all sort of claims were made for synthetic oils-but most mechanics say that regular oil changes (with SAE certified oil) is all you need to do. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/26 "2013-03-24T21:42:14Z")
The amount of mysticism and woo around oil types and additives, as you can find on any motoring forum, approaches the ravings of high-end audiophiles and other religious beliefs. The notion that such a product is so new and spectacular (oh, and suppressed by Big Oil and Big Carmakers) that it can only be sold on an infomercial is just hilarious. If it worked, they couldn’t make enough of it for the vehicle fleets of America, who will go to great lengths to reduce fuel use and reduce maintenance costs. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/28 "2013-04-16T01:42:20Z")
I’ve never tried duralube. I have tried [Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer](http://www.amazon.com/Lucas-10001-Heavy-Duty-Stabilizer/dp/B000AS1XYO/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1366076448&sr=1-1&keywords=Lucas+Heavy+Duty+Oil+Stabilizer). My car burns about half a quart of oil a month, so I normally have to add that much each month. The manual calls for changing the oil out every 5 months. The last time I got my oil changed I had a quart of Lucas put in with the oil, and in the last 5 months (I just had the oil changed again last weekend) the car did not lose more than half a quart over the entire 5 months. So that product worked for me on my car burning/leaking oil. ---
**Author:** ![Robb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Robb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robb)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/29 "2013-04-16T13:42:14Z")
I knew I read **racer72** ’s testimonial somewhere before. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/30 "2013-04-16T13:59:35Z")
I have tried a similar product named Motorkote. My motorcycle has a very rough gear change action. I don’t know if it is normal for this specific model or simply my motorcycle has some kind of defect. Whenever I add some Motorkote the gear changes become silky-smooth. Only problem is that the effect doesn’t last for more than a couple of months. Whatever is in Motorkote does work but breaks down eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/31 "2013-04-16T14:47:36Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I remember that all sort of claims were made for synthetic oils-but most mechanics say that regular oil changes (with SAE certified oil) is all you need to do. I think using synthetic oil in a water-cooled engine is a waste of money. So I just use regular 'ol oil in my automobiles. However, I _do_ use synthetic oil in my riding mower and lawn tractor. Those engines get pretty hot, especially in the summer, and I figure synthetic oil will hold up much better in these engines compared to non-synthetic oil. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/32 "2013-04-16T19:38:16Z")
Ironic how this decade old thread references _Drive It Forever_ by Bob Sikorsky. When I read his book, it raved about the Inset Fuel Stabilizer, which is grade A hokum: [Inset Fuel Stabilizer - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com](http://www.skepdic.com/inset.html) ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/33 "2013-04-16T20:10:45Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > When the [dura](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dura_mater) is in need of lubrication, usually it is supplied by the body. For regular humans, yeah, I suppose so. But I’m not so sure about zombies. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/34 "2013-04-16T20:28:19Z")
I notice the reviver of this zombie, Susan, Captain in the Royal Navy, has only made that one post on this Board. What she says must be true if they are willing to take time out of their apparently busy schedule to post it. ---
**Author:** ![whc.03grady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/35 "2013-04-17T02:58:38Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > “Save the watch; the shoes are gone!” ??? ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/36 "2013-04-17T08:50:17Z")
> [@LolaBaby](#): > > Sorry, yeah…Techron. That’s the ONE thing I add to my cars…nothing else. > > I remember old-school mechanics once, pouring transmission fluid down a carburetor and I was freaking out before they explained the carbon-blasting properties it had. I guess it worked to a certain extent. However, you can’t pull stunts like that today. 😃 > > And yeah…that’s why I added the “to a certain extent” at the end. Sugar in a gas tank will do no one any good. 😛 The ATF (automatic transmission fluid) “trick” can and had worked wonders on rotary engines. A common problem in high mileage rotary engines is a build up of carbon on the corner apex seals. Sometimes this build up will not allow the seal to set properly, causing a loss of compression. A common fix if to pour ATF down the carb or inject it into the spark plug holes on the fuel injected models with the ignition coil disconnected. Bump the engine and let the ATF circulate, wait 24 hours, reconnect the coils and fire it up. You’ll have the neighbors calling the fire department as the smoke produced out the exhaust will convince them the entire county is on fire, but there’s a good chance your compression levels are now restored! It isn’t unheard of to take a rotary engine from a junkyard, subject it to the ATF treatment and bring it back to life. ATF if great stuff for us rotorheads!😃 ---
**Author:** ![duralubefan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@duralubefan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duralubefan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/37 "2013-05-22T16:02:36Z")
I have used dura lube for about 10 years. I have a 97 Ford Crown Vic with over 80K miles on it and it gets a solid 18 to 20 mpg. I also use Mobil 1. This product has proven itself to me over a considerable period of time. On a trip in 05 or 06 I used this product, with transmission treatment, and standard Havoline motor oil, in a 92 Ford Crown Vic and over the entire trip which totaled more than 1400 miles and the last portion included some extensive high speed driving I averaged 27.75 mpg. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/38 "2013-05-22T16:18:27Z")
Sounds like a '97 Grand Marquis I had- 20 mpg city and 27 mpg at 70+mph highway, consistent over 50,000 miles, using no additives or synthetic oils whatsoever. Same numbers stated by a friend of mine over the life of two Grand Marquis (same car basically as a Crown Vic). ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/39 "2013-05-22T19:33:58Z")
> [@duralubefan](#): > > I have used dura lube for about 10 years. I have a 97 Ford Crown Vic with over 80K miles on it and it gets a solid 18 to 20 mpg. I also use Mobil 1. This product has proven itself to me over a considerable period of time. On a trip in 05 or 06 I used this product, with transmission treatment, and standard Havoline motor oil, in a 92 Ford Crown Vic and over the entire trip which totaled more than 1400 miles and the last portion included some extensive high speed driving I averaged 27.75 mpg. I have a turbocharged Dodge Neon with 163,000 miles. It doesn’t use oil between changes and I’ve only ever put in conventional 10W-30 in it. In a modern engine, you don’t need any dodgy additives. In fact, I would say in a modern engine you absolutely _don’t want_ to dump any additives in there. The engine was designed for and validated with the grade of oil the manufacturer tells you to use. Motor oil is an engineered fluid with rather stringent standards. You don’t need anything else inside your engine. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/40 "2013-05-23T02:51:35Z")
Oh- the 50k miles I put on the car I mentioned was from 123,000 to 173,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244/41 "2013-05-23T03:14:53Z")
I take one drop of Duralube and stir it into a 55 gallon drum of motor oil. I take 1 drop from that drum and stir it into 1 quart of oil. I take one drop of that and stir it into each quart of oil I put in the car. It’s very effective because even though there may not be any Duralube in the oil I add to the car the oil has an enduring memory of the Duralube and is just as effective. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truth-wanted-does-duralube-actually-work/103244.md?page=3)