MIA since 2016 ... I'm back - with a (subjective) observation

Joined
Dec 20, 2016
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26
Location
Akron, Ohio
I had to recover/update my password, but I'm back.

Earlier last summer, a friend told me about Valvoline Restore and Protect. At the time, I was a confirmed AMSOIL XL user and had even (oh, the horror) stopped changing my own oil, and letting a (trusted) shop charge me twice what an oil change would cost DIY ($145.00 vs $75).

I came to my senses and watched the videos Lake Speed Jr. (The Motor Oil Geek) had on the "New" Valvoline R&P. I was more than a bit interested, since my current vehicle, a 2017 Camaro 2LS, 3.6L V6 (Supercharged), manual trans, 85,000 miles, had recieved questionable, at best, maintenance from the previous owner. The only sticking point was that the R&P was not DEXOS certified. But since any possibility of having a warranty is long gone, I figured no harm, no foul.

My hope was that the R&P would clear out any sludge/varnish in the oil system (including all the micro passages for the oil-pressure controlled VVT system). I figured at worst, it would make no noticable difference and just behave like an upper-level synthetic. So New Year's Day 2025, I was on the frozen concrete, in my unheated garage, dumping the 3 month / <2,000 mile Amsoil into the drain bucket, then topped off the 1st new Fram Ultraguard (Yes, I cheaped out on the filters, as I planned on changing the filter at 500 and 1,000 miles, then switching to a WIX or equivalent), installing the filter, then dumping the 5 qt jug of R&P 5W30 and the remainder of the 1 qt bottle I used to prime the filter into the crankcase.

My FIRST shock, came the instant I started the engine. I am USED to hearing some kind of noise from an engine when it's running, but this time, all I heard was the starter, then the burble from the exhaust. There was no noise from the engine at all. I've been driving since 1983, and have ALWAYS heard some kind of 'normal' engine noise, but from the time of that first start, it has been dead quiet.

My SECOND shock came the next morning. I had driven the car 95 miles on the new oil the first day, and the next morning after going out for breakfast, I went to visit a friend about 40 miles away (highway). I got on the highway, and worked up to 6th gear. As I drove along, I realized the throttle felt WAY different. The only way I could think of to describe it, was that the throttle felt super tight - it felt like I was still in 4th gear, when I actually was in 6th. Continuing to drive, it slowly occured to me that the thottle wasn't exactly tight (even though it felt that way), it was actually significantly more responsive.

Four days later, with a total of 206 miles on the oil, the effects I noticed instantly and at 95 miles are still there. Quiet engine, and enhanced responsiveness. I'm really looking forward to letting this oil do it's thing and getting the first of many used oil analysis' done.

Take this yarn for what it's worth ... since it is only subjective, based on my 58 year old ears, and over-padded butt dyno.
 
Actually, the chain reaction has already started. On Friday, 3 days after doing my Camaro, I took my wife to work. Half because a blizzard was beginning, but mostly so I could change the Amsoil out of her 2013 Edge (2.0 turbo) and switch IT over to V-RP.. It had similar results, there is still a ticking noise (which is normal for that engine), but it is both subdued and a "Cleaner" sound than before. The rest of the noise 'clutter' is gone.
 
A guy at my gym has a FBO ethanol RcF he tracks so we talk cars between sets. He brought up his neighbor ran some R&P for 2 changes and took off the valve cover to find it spotless. Neither of them talked about BITOG. This R&P has some serious word of mouth and seems to be working as well.
 
I did a lot of YouTube research before committing to V-RP. The two videos from Motor Oil Geek were the biggest influences, but at least 95% plus of the other videos were also very pro-V RP, with the dissenting opinions claiming "Snake Oil' but with nothing but opinion to nase the claims. Not even any anecdotal evidence.

So my thought going in was that at the very least, V-RP is a top tier synthetic, and even if it DIDN'T performed as claimed, it would still be valid to use as an engine oil. But if it did (which from what I have seen, seems to give merit to Valvoline's claims), then using it is a definite no brainer.
 
It’s a valvoline thing. I ran our 18 rogue on synthetic high mileage 0-20, changing it every 4-5k till it hit about 85k. Meijer store was selling qts for $1.92 so I grabbed all they had which got me to 85k. When I ran out of I switched to schaeffers, which is fine oil in its own right but has definitely made the engine a tad louder and does feel like it’s pulling a plow at times. I’m considering going back to valvoline after this oil change, maybe the R&P although I don’t think there’s much to clean up in the engine.
 
A friend remembers using Valvoline since the 60's, but trying Quaker State because it was on sale. Same viscosity, but the Quaker State made the engine much noisier (valve clatter) while Valvoline was quiet.
 
AZjeff

My friend, a 78 year old gear head, thinks that since my LGX V6 has variable valve timing that's controlled by oil pressure activated solenoids, that the Restore and Protect got into the passages of the solenoids and cleaned them out, letting them work properly.
 
Welcome back. The product is gaining traction here, and there are a lot of people posting about positive results they've had with it. I'm hoping they decide to offer it in 5W40, if they do I will try it in my 88 E-150.
 
I can’t wait to use VRP. Imo it’s the real deal and there’s nothing out there like it. Thank you for sharing your observations.
 
Wonder if neighbor looked before R&P? Back to the OP, different noise level is believable, any ideas how an oil change could affect throttle response instantly? What has Valvoline stumbled onto?
It was dirty from my understanding. Could be placebo and looking for something to change. Cleaning of rings could improve compression and improve throttle response, but I'm not sure how fast.
 
I keep hearing good things about it. I'm debating using it on my 5.4L engine that I manually performed a lot of desludging. There's still some left. It might help or it might plug the oil pickup.
 
Welcome back! I poured a jug and a quart in my Chrysler minivan on New Years Eve, but I haven’t driven it more than a couple miles after doing the change. I also changed the engine mounts, so I attributed the smoothness I felt to that. It’s my wife’s turn for norovirus, so I’ll do a longer drive tomorrow.

I did notice my 2020 Wrangler quiet down a touch with it. We’ll see what other benefits come as well.
 
I did a lot of YouTube research before committing to V-RP. The two videos from Motor Oil Geek were the biggest influences, but at least 95% plus of the other videos were also very pro-V RP, with the dissenting opinions claiming "Snake Oil' but with nothing but opinion to nase the claims. Not even any anecdotal evidence.
I think Valvoline has deep Saudi pockets to cover advertising. Seems to be working.
 
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