I'm just here in the background, but have started using Auto-Rx in our new Suzuki SX4. I'm hoping to never encounter a sludge problem by using the maintenance dose, (thanks for the new write-up, TurboJim), with each OC. I also added it to the diff's, tranny, hydraulic power steering, and windshield wiper fluid!(Not!) I let Frank know of my intent to use 4oz. in the engine, but he replied that 3oz. would suffice. I really appreciate his honesty, but I couldn't resist, and added 6oz.!
I also have a '98 AWD Grand Caravan w/ over 150,000 miles, so I added a full bottle to its sump.(Oilgal would be proud!)
I haven't seen Auto-Rx being marketed for "new" cars, but it seems like the quicker you can flush out all that break-in debris, the better!
You're right, start with the maintenance dose and never have a sludge problem. It seems a little over-kill to have done the diffs, tranny, and power steering on a new car - make sure that you change those fluids after 1000 miles.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
Think your on to something. The Auto-Rx Maintenance Dose is the heart of the Auto-Rx Total Program.
We have been testing new application formats as well as dose of Auto-Rx in maintenance mode and results are significant enough to go to 4 ounces of Auto-Rx as maintenance dose.
You're right, start with the maintenance dose and never have a sludge problem. It seems a little over-kill to have done the diffs, tranny, and power steering on a new car - make sure that you change those fluids after 1000 miles.
We've put over 7,000 miles on it, and have changed out all the factory-fill fluids, early on. While I agree somewhat with your over-kill statement, especially for the tranny and power steering, the diff's really needed it. I was really shocked at the amount of debris that was "attached" to the diff's drain plug magnets. Our goal is to own this car until it's no more! If possible, I would like to never use the 7yr./100,000 mile warranty.
One of the reasons I went back and added some more Auto-Rx to the SX4, was because of a recent Nissan UOA on Bitog. (Reddog's post.) He dumped his factory-fill about the same mileage that I did, and his UOA's show the break-in material trending down extremely well, except for the Si. His mileage on this latest OCI is much longer than on the factory-fill, so it has trended down, even though the value remains almost the same. The Si just doesn't seem to flush out as quickly. Anyway, I was hoping that the Auto-Rx would speed up this "flushing debris out of the new car" process, and ultimately extend the MTBF.
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