Some background: I own a 2003 Silverado Duramax and did extensive research on changing over to synthetic oil. I choose Mobil 1 Delvac due to its design for greatly extended drain intervals and that large over-the-road trucks could extend drain intervals based on predominantly driving highway miles (which are relatively easy on an engine) while using a Oil Analysis Program. Delvac 1 has provided excellent service at up to four times the normal drain interval under these conditions and has been closely monitored in controlled fleets performing Mobil Delvac 1 oil drains at up to 100,000 miles. The majority of engine manufacturers today specify in their owner's manuals an API quality rating oil, such as CG-4, without specifying or restricting the use of synthetics. Detroit Diesel has recently endorsed Delvac 1 and has added a Delvac 1 valve cover decal for Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines. Now, having said all that, that is why I choose Mobil 1 Delvac and because I feel Mobil 1 products are “Top of the Line�.

So, I stop at a local Truck Lube business to buy 3 gal of oil or get my oil changed. I’m greeted by an older gentleman (owner/manager???) and here is how the whole conversation went down.

Mr D:
Hi, I need 3 gals of Mobil 1 Delvac and/or check to see if you can start doing oil changes on my truck.


Owner/Manager:
I’m not sure, come on back and we will talk to the mechanic (he explains to Bubba what I need).

Bubba:
What ya got?

Mr D:
2003 Duramax

Bubba:
Well I have a Powerstroke with 200,000 miles on it and use regular oil and have never had a fuel injector fail. I worked for GM several years and they would only let us put synthetic oil in Corvettes. I have drained both synthetic oil and regular oil out and there is no difference in the oil. It’s just complete BS and a waist of money.

Mr D (looking at Owner/Manager):
Well, Mobil 1 Delvac is what I have been running so I plan to stay with that.

Owner/Manager:
Let me call around and I will check on it.

Here is what I took away from that experience (Business owners take note).

I didn’t drop into your place of business to have your hired help tell me I was an idiot for using synthetic oil and was driving an inferior vehicle.

What the heck does fuel injectors and engine oil have in common or where do the two come in contact with each other. I know Bubba didn’t learn that over at GM.

If you are in the Truck Lube business and don’t know what oils are available on the market you might want to have a look see at your business model. This place lost a potential customer that spends $100 per oil change in his driveway at the moment.

 

Actually sounds like they did you a favor by exposing their limited knowledge, no telling what they would have f'd up if you had them doing your oil changes.

 

No matter what the quality of the product is, unfortunately, the quality of the service is determined by the local business owner. That applies to the car distribution network as well. Buyer beware. Fortunately, you can just go somewhere else and get the same product.

 

Fever, you are right on target. I plan to order my oil and filters off the internet and continue doing my own engine/trans/fuel filter and oil changes.