Thanks for starting the thread , Dave. You may find it to be a full time job, as moderator. Appreciate your even handed replies.
On motor oil... some "narrow minded" thoughts:
When I was in the retail business, our buyer for motor oil made a statement to the effect that "brand names" for normal car driving habits, were basically the same as generics, and that the price differential was not warranted.
That was years ago. His point was that Government Standards for viscosity and chemical composition for all brands with the same SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), API rating were essentially equal in performance. The current API rating is
SN for car and truck oils... Requirements that this rating (API) be on the front label have been dropped, so it may be necessary to look on the back of the oil bottle to find it.
When motor oil was $.50/qt, it didn't make much difference. The price is now many times that. Since my car requires 6 qts., the difference between $1.50 and $3.50/qt., is substantial... Add to that the difference between a no-name filter and a brand filter and my home oil change goes from $11 to $24.
I realize that there may be some dryer or detergent differences, but with normal driving, I'd prefer to keep the extra $13 in my pocket. Am frugal.
This link to wiki's motor oil info
Motor oil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia gives more info than anyone needs to know, but for car buffs, should be interesting.
Excerpt:
I realize that many feel that an oil change @ $25 - $30 is cheap protection for a $6000 engine, but after 60 years of driving haven't ever had a problem caused by motor oil.
BTW... the part about "recycled" oil is interesting.
I stay away from discussing this with my friends, as it brings up violent defenses of Quaker, Castrol, Pennzoil, or Valvoline etc. Ain't it great that there is so much interest in the subject?