Older Pennzoil Ultra

[pbm]

While down in Pennsylvania I stopped at a Pepboys and noticed that they still had SM rated Ultra dated from 2011. I checked a Pepboys closer to home and they did as well...they also had the SN version dated 2012 and 2013.

This got me wondering about the history of PU.

Was the original GTL or Gr. III?

I thought I remembered that PP was originally GTL and then went to Gr. III and then back to GTL.

Can anybody give a concise history of PP and PU?...Thanks

 

[CT8]

Isn't GTL GPIII ?

 

[BrocLuno]

SM Ultra has done very well in some folks eyes

It tested very high in 540 RAT's analysis (for what that is ...) and some folks swore by it.

If it was available here, I'd grab a case or two ...

 

[alcyon]

as I remember, only SN is GTL.

 

[901Memphis]

It's not GTL, but it's still top shelf syn. I wouldn't pay regular market price for it. I would buy it all at $2/quart though.

 

[Doog]

I would buy it all if it was on sale. It was excellent in all of my cars. I bought 400 quarts when it was initially offered for $2

 

[SR5]

If it's anything like the Shell oils in Australia, then look at the piston logo on the front.

If it says Active Cleaning Technology then it's the old stuff.

If it says Pure Plus Technology then it's the new GTL oil.

I have heard from other posters that the old stuff is HC Group III XHVI base oil. We were talking about it in the Euro & Imported oil section.

I would happily use the older stuff.

 

[Gasbuggy]

I thought the old Ultra was one if highest regarded store shelf oils on Bitog?

 

[A_Harman]

Yes, old Ultra (pre-Pure Plus) is well-thought of on BITOG. I can't resist buying if I find it in stores on sale.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: SR5
If it's anything like the Shell oils in Australia, then look at the piston logo on the front.

If it says Active Cleaning Technology then it's the old stuff.

If it says Pure Plus Technology then it's the new GTL oil.

I have heard from other posters that the old stuff is HC Group III XHVI base oil. We were talking about it in the Euro & Imported oil section.

I would happily use the older stuff.



So basically there were only 2 versions of PU before the latest PUP came along.
In other words there would be no problem using (mixing) PU made on different dates as long as the wording on the label is the same?...

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: alcyon
as I remember, only SN is GTL.


According to the label terminology ... not all SN Ultra is GTL.

 

[Branson304]

I saw some old Pennzoil Platinum & Ultra on the shelf at Advance Auto yesterday. It was the SN rated stuff. I would've bought it if they'd have had it cheap... it was the same price as the latest versions. Lol

 

[wemay]

Originally Posted By: Branson304
I saw some old Pennzoil Platinum & Ultra on the shelf at Advance Auto yesterday. It was the SN rated stuff. I would've bought it if they'd have had it cheap... it was the same price as the latest versions. Lol


Same thing at Napa... with SM Ultra.

 

[KitaCam]

I stocked up 5w30 PPU/SN last XMAS @ 2/qt....

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: KitaCam
I stocked up 5w30 PPU/SN last XMAS @ 2/qt....



I bought a lot last year @ $3 a qt. and scored some more this year @ $2.

I thought that PU (and PP for that matter) had a couple of changes over their lifespan....I'll try to use quarts that are close in date together so that I don't mix Gr 3 with GTL...

 

[Best F100]

I have 4 5 qt jugs of the old Pennzoil Ultra 5W20 that I will be using this spring.
They say "Hyper Cleaning Technology" on the front. Questions for you experts:

1) Is this the HC Group III XHVI based or the GTL base with the old label?

2) Which of the two has the superior piston cleaning? They both make the
same claims regarding keeping your engine factory clean (showing the
piston comparison photos).

3) Is this the so called low NOACK version, that was listed at around 5, as
opposed to the typical 9-12, that you typically see for 5W20's? If it is, do
you consider it a cut above the current Pennzoil Ultra Platinum?

These jugs I have are API SN, GF-5, and have the following stamped on them:
21Nov13

 

[fdcg27]

GTL is a Grp III basestock.
There have been some very inconsistent VOA results with a variety of SOPUS products.
Everyone recalls the PQIA VOAs of Quaker State Conventional and Pennzoil Conventional showing unreal low NOACK volatility, for example.
The best answer as to what basestock you're getting in any SOPUS oil is probably a guess.
Anyway, these are all good oils and SM Ultra is probably one of the best API spec SOPUS oils.
WRT mixing, that's more a matter of the VIIs used than the basestock and I'm going to guess that you won't see any unfavorable interactions among oils of the same grade from any given blender.