I think I was thinking 502/00/505.00 type applications. Honestly this tree is such an absurd oversimplification I should haven't even tried to give it as much resolution as I did. I frankly should have boiled it down to:
1) Start with Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30 unless it absolutely cannot work for you (arctic, etc)
2) Move to whatever else if and only if a) the engine is clean and 2) you have desires (OCI, viscosity, etc) Valvoline Restore and Protect cannot meet.
This is another glaring weakness in the tree because I couldn't really think of any non-HPL oil I was willing to take to "extended drain." I can't think of any oil marketed for up to 20k miles that I'd be willing to take all the way to 20k miles. So this is yet another part of the tree that probably should have been pruned at the concept stage.
I prefer your version of the tree if you don't mind sharing it here.
My personal tree has now gotten VERY simple:
- Is the person soliciting recommendations insisting on OEM viscosity and warranty type protections?
- Send them to the dealer and tell them you can't help them. They are coming to you looking for validation, not advice.
- Have they already started using Valvoline Restore and Protect?
- Yes, continue until clean
- No, start until clean.
- Once clean, move to whatever floats your boat for viscosity and formulation depending on whether you are prioritizing spec compliance (i.e. going back to Euro oil), long drain (HPL PCMO) etc. Following general advice of +1 grade for non diluters and +2 grades for diluters.