Dear Tom and Ray:

For a few years I have been trying, without success, to find out just what the letters "STP" stand for. Many calls to large, impressive lubrication headquarters around the country revealed only that it is a "trade name" of the Andy Granatelli Racing Team. Do you know what it means? Also, does it work? -- Al

Ray: When I was a kid, I remember hearing that it stood for "Scientifically Treated Petroleum." But most "large, impressive, lubrication" companies won't take my calls either.

Tom: Does STP work? Well, the July '96 issue of Consumer Reports did a study of motor oils using 75 New York City cabs. And their conclusion was that STP didn't do anything to reduce engine wear. So they say it doesn't work.

Ray: On the other hand, we've found it to be somewhat effective as a "repair of last resort." If someone comes in with an old heap that's just barely running with low oil pressure -- with the oil light flickering on and off at stoplights -- I'll often suggest they try a bottle of STP, as an alternative to a complete engine rebuild. After all, it's eight bucks versus 800! Why not try it, right?

Tom: And in a number of those cases, the STP actually adds enough viscosity to bring the oil pressure back up and allows the person to keep driving the car -- for a while.

Ray: Inevitably, between two days and six months later, the engine dies anyway. But all the owner has lost is $8, or maybe $8 a week. And in that time, he may have finished graduate school, joined the armed forces, or sold the car to an unsuspecting relative.

Tom: So what does STP stand for in our garage? Short Term Panacea.

Everybody wants a new car. But from a purely financial point of view, there is no question that buying a used car is always cheaper, even in the long run. To learn more, order Tom and Ray's pamphlet How to Buy a Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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