A great oil hiding in plain sight? Valvoline Euro FS 5w30.

[Hohn]

3.6HTHS with a KV100 of 12.4 gives a KV100/HTHS ratio of only 3.4. (I prefer to think of it this way to avoid having to think of a small decimal being bigger). For reference, I show the HPL 5w30 Euro to be 3.35 when similarly calculated. That's some VERY good company for this valvoline to be among.

My local Napa has the 5 gallon box of this stuff for $169 or ~$8.50/qt.

Given the certs, viscometrics and cost, perhaps this oil is a contender flying under the radar? For reference the 5w40 grade in the same line has an HTHS of 3.7, just one tenth higher.

I'd be be curious to see a VOA of this (none in that forum that I can find), the API SL suggest perhaps full SAPS add pack?

 

[perkz]

It does look like a good one. They have two versions of the 5w30, one is called the 5W30 XL III

 

[kschachn]

3.6HTHS with a KV100 of 12.4 gives a KV100/HTHS ratio of only 3.4. (I prefer to think of it this way to avoid having to think of a small decimal being bigger). For reference, I show the HPL 5w30 Euro to be 3.35 when similarly calculated. That's some VERY good company for this valvoline to be among.

My local Napa has the 5 gallon box of this stuff for $169 or ~$8.50/qt.

Given the certs, viscometrics and cost, perhaps this oil is a contender flying under the radar? For reference the 5w40 grade in the same line has an HTHS of 3.7, just one tenth higher.

I'd be be curious to see a VOA of this (none in that forum that I can find), the API SL suggest perhaps full SAPS add pack?

Hmm. I wonder where you could find a similar oil for a lot less?

The price may be why it is hiding.

 

[Hohn]

Hmm. I wonder where you could find a similar oil for a lot less?

The price may be why it is hiding.

Don’t tease me like that. $8.50/qt is a bargain. Is there a private label version? Napa?

 

[BobsArmory]

I would go with the XLIII version just because of the MB229.52 approval. But that's just me.

 

[Patman]

Don’t tease me like that. $8.50/qt is a bargain. Is there a private label version? Napa?

That’s not a bargain when M1 ESP is $28 for 5 quarts…

 

[tcp71]

Pennzoil Platinum Euro LX 0w30 goes on sale quite often around here for $36Cdn Dollarettes. That's 5 quarts for $26USD. I would venture it meets the valvoline example at just of $5/quart. It loses the BMW cert but gains the Porsche one.

 

[Hohn]

That’s not a bargain when M1 ESP is $28 for 5 quarts…

Fair enough, “bargain” is a relative term and I probably shouldn’t have used that word.

 

[Hohn]

I would go with the XLIII version just because of the MB229.52 approval. But that's just me.

I think for my older non-DI engines, I’d be partial to 502/505.

 

[Glenda W.]

These euro oils are hidden gems. That’s why having ESP at Wally for $28 is a big deal.

 

[kschachn]

I think for my older non-DI engines, I’d be partial to 502/505.

Okay how about Quaker State Euro for $4.67 a quart? Or Mobil 1 0W-40 for $5.60 a quart. Both easily available on the shelf at Walmart.

Or is there some technical way you can read the tea leaves of the PDS and show how the Valvoline product is superior?

 

[Hohn]

Okay how about Quaker State Euro for $4.67 a quart? Or Mobil 1 0W-40 for $5.60 a quart. Both easily available on the shelf at Walmart.

Or is there some technical way you can read the tea leaves of the PDS and show how the Valvoline product is superior?

There isn't such a way available to me nor anyone else. And it sounds like those could be excellent options too if you don't mind the way the Mobil shears when you look at it or can find QS Euro and don't mind capping yourself at mid-SAPS.

 

[kschachn]

There isn't such a way available to me nor anyone else. And it sounds like those could be excellent options too if you don't mind the way the Mobil shears when you look at it or can find QS Euro.

Yes the unverified and likely outdated “Mobil 1 shears” monster. Never mind that that was from quite a while ago (and several formulation iterations) and the fact that nearly all the shear fears on here are based on Blackstone UOA that are utterly incapable of determining whether it is even occurring.

Plus any mechanical shear of the VM is highly dependent on the specific engine, the specific operating conditions and the quality of the VII used in the particular product.

Somehow I’m a little unconvinced I should be worried nor am I convinced the Valvoline product has superior VM against mechanical shear.

 

[Silverado12]

I don't see the GM Dexos certification there. I wonder if they protect against LSPI in a newer turbo DI car?

 

[I<3oil]

I don't see the GM Dexos certification there. I wonder if they protect against LSPI in a newer turbo DI car?

The 0W-20 is API SN+ so it will

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...2d889bd1/14ae2c8d-759c-e911-9c25-ac162d889bd1

and the XL-III is API SP so it will too

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...2d889bd1/60ae2c8d-759c-e911-9c25-ac162d889bd1


It looks like the regular 5W-30 is only API SL so probably not

 

[Hohn]

Yes the unverified and likely outdated “Mobil 1 shears” monster. Never mind that that was from quite a while ago (and several formulation iterations) and the fact that nearly all the shear fears on here are based on Blackstone UOA that are utterly incapable of determining whether it is even occurring.

Plus any mechanical shear of the VM is highly dependent on the specific engine, the specific operating conditions and the quality of the VII used in the particular product.

Somehow I’m a little unconvinced I should be worried nor am I convinced the Valvoline product has superior VM against mechanical shear.

I’ll take LSJr’s word when he posts evidence of m1 shearing out of grade in 200 miles.

I don’t know what you consider to be convincing and frankly I don’t care. I’m not trying to convince you or anyone and I’m not sure why you’re trying to put that burden on me as if I owe you that. At this point I’m thinking you’re looking for an argument.

Sorry to inform you that you need to look elsewhere.

 

[Hohn]

I don't see the GM Dexos certification there. I wonder if they protect against LSPI in a newer turbo DI…

API SP or Dexos would indicate some LSPI considerations, without them I’d assume you have some minor exposure risk.

 

[wavinwayne]

Best deal I've found for Euro oil that is "formulated to meet or exceed" the BMW diesel spec for my car is Pennzoil Euro L 5w30 that I order from Walmart. $26.44/5 quart jug.

 

[kschachn]

I’ll take LSJr’s word when he posts evidence of m1 shearing out of grade in 200 miles.

I don’t know what you consider to be convincing and frankly I don’t care. I’m not trying to convince you or anyone and I’m not sure why you’re trying to put that burden on me as if I owe you that. At this point I’m thinking you’re looking for an argument.

Sorry to inform you that you need to look elsewhere.

Yeah hmm. Okay.

200 miles you say? How awful. I am sure that violates the stay-in-grade requirements for each approval that oil holds.

I wonder how they get away with it?

 

[drtyler]

There isn't such a way available to me nor anyone else. And it sounds like those could be excellent options too if you don't mind the way the Mobil shears when you look at it or can find QS Euro and don't mind capping yourself at mid-SAPS.

What makes QS Euro mid-SAPS?