Difference in oils

[4x4chevydude]

I know that all oils have different add packs and whatnot but what I cant understand is why does Valvoline HM cost almost 20 for 5qts Pennzoil cost 17 and QS only 15...should I spend the extra 5 for the Valvoline or just go with the QS and be happy...I know I want to buy the cheaper one but is it really that different I have heard that QS is a good oil so why the price?

 

[chubbs1]

Because the Valvoline says High Mileage or "MaxLife" You are paying for a brand within a brand. Maxlife is a great oil if you need it but if you don't need a High Mileage oil (which many don't) Pennzoil Conventional is a very good split between the two because the base-stock seems to be better than QS on paper. Pennzoil Conventional just as well could be a "syn" and thus run 5-10k (in most PC's) depending on engine condition and UOA.

 

[CATERHAM]

If there is anything significantly different between the 3 conventional oils I don't know what it is. Price is no indication of quality.
So yes buy the QS.
BTW, those prices are anything but cheap. Often synthetics go on sale for the same price. When you see it load up regardless of the brand.

 

[4x4chevydude]

I bought the Quaker State High Mileage and Pennzoil High Mileage becuase I had the rebates on those and when i get the money back the one will be 1.78 and the other 4.78...cant beat that I just couldnt believe how much more the Valvoline High Mileage was compared to the other High Mileage oils its almost at pace with full sythetics

 

[mechtech2]

3-5 dollars over the time of an oil change won't make a bit of difference to most of us.

But a reality is, that there IS a wide price range for very similar products.
Many reasons are possible. Suppliers to the oil company, costs of scale, shipping, etc.
Some lower their prices to gain market shares.
And some RAISE prices to gain market shares! This is a known sales factor - perceived quality [by higher pricing] sells!

 

[4x4chevydude]

This is true and is exactly why I am here asking the question, I percieve the Valvoline to be a superior oil becuase it costs 20.00 but the QS is prob the same exact thing for 15

 

[someguy]

Its not the exact same thing but your engine probably won't know the difference. Some engines run better or even make different sounds on different oils. Outside of examining spec sheets and VOA reports for a specific viscosity or additive sometimes you have to just try something different. If you or your engine doesn't seem right then drain it and use it in your lawnmower or something.