Oil additive

I am considering using Restore Engine Restorer & Lubricant, distributed by Biral Lubricantes NV, in my car. Have you ever used this product and what do you think of it? Alan Smith Restore Engine Restorer & Lubricant is made by Amtech (americantechnology.co.uk) and the reviews online are quite favourable. Not having tried this product personally, I can only give my opinion from the details I can find on the internet. A full assessment of the product would involve quite detailed examination of the engine before and after use. Even then, as different engine wear patterns vary, this could not be a blanket assessment.

My first question would be to ask why you are putting the additive in your engine. You do not mention the make, model or mileage of your vehicle. If your engine is old and burning oil or has other problems it may be worth a try with the additive, but if you have no problems then I wouldn’t introduce such a substance into a perfectly good engine.

Many car-makers say that additives should not be used with their engines. It should also be noted that additives vary greatly as to their content. According to the Restore website, the product contains a proprietary CSL (copper, silver, lead micro-spheres) formula. This is claimed to “actually fill in and seal micro-leaks in the cylinder wall”. The downside of adding fillers to the oil is that they are indiscriminate and may fill areas where they are detrimental to the operation of the engine.

The Restore website actually cautions against its use in “many later model VVTI engines such as BMW VANOS or Valvetronic engines (including BMW MINI petrol engines), Subaru AVCS, Honda Vtec and ivtec, Fiat Multiair, Toyota Dual VVTI and VVTL-I engines, GM Active Fuel Management engines (fitted in some Chevrolet trucks but rare in the UK) and others.”