Interesting E-Mail Response From Valvoline About SynPower

[C4Dave]

I just bought a couple of cases of 10w30 Valvoline SynPower on close-out. I haven't seen this oil discussed much on this board, or even seen many used oil analysis. On Valvoline's website, they talk about the differences between a synthetic and conventional oil, and that SynPower is 100% synthetic. So I sent the following questions to them:

"What is the predominant base oil for SynPower 10w30? Group III, IV, or V? I have heard that it is a Group III oil, but your FAQ hints that it may contain Group IV and/or V."

This is their reply a few hours later:

"Thank you for your message. Valvoline uses a mixture of various base oils designed to provide the maximum performance for our SynPower line. All of the base fluids used in SynPower are synthetic.

Some synthetic fluids are produced through a synthesis process that takes very small molecules and assemble them into larger designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. Others may be produced through a synthesis process that takes very large molecules, breaks them apart and re-arranges them to produce designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. In either case the end products are base fluids with extremely good lubricating properties. However, all of them also carry with them certain inherent disadvantages.

By carefully selecting the right combination of synthetic fluids and the right combination of premium chemical additives, Valvoline is able to take advantage of all the benefits of the different components and their combinations while overcoming any inherent disadvantages that a specific component may have. The end result is full synthetic motor oil second to none."

This sounds like it may have some Group IV or V. Does anyone here know for sure?

 

[TallPaul]

Some have speculated that Synpower has PAO in it. Last I checked the MSDS's it showed predominantly Group III, but the 20w50 MSDS indicated mostly PAO, but 20w50 is too thick for most folks. I think the 10w30 is a solid oil, but the 5w40 really looks good--meets a lot of tough specs like (IIRC) VW, BMW, ACEA A3, etc.

Look it up here.

 

[bulwnkl]

That reply is word-for-word a form letter reply that I got from them a month or two ago in response to a similar inquiry.

 

[TomJones76]

Vendors who consistently use Groups IV or V let you know they use IV or V.
Vendors who use Group III only, or vary their recipes frequently give evasive answers. Like what you got, C4Dave.
Note that Amsoil and Mobil 1 (before Amsoil XL7500, anyway) were both very happy to discuss the "true synthetic" nature of their oils....