Penn Syn Blend or SuperTech Full Syn?

Pennzoil motor oil
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otis24

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Purchased a 2009 Chrysler T&C for the wife. Had to sell my truck to do so. The old van, 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.8, has become my "truck". We purchase the van new and OCI's have been about 6k miles using Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum since about 36k on the odometer. I have a small stash of Pennzoil Ultra purchased on clearance at WM. I want to save that for the "new" van.

The 2005 GC will see about 8k miles per year or less, mostly town miles. It currently has 180k miles. I want to maintain the vehicle and make it last, but also don't see the need for "premium" oil changes given the mileage and intended use. I intended to do once-per-year OCI's.

WM has Pennzoil Synthetic Blend for $17.65/5 qt. container and SuperTech Full Synthetic for the same price. Which would be the better choice for my intended use(better additive package, good cold flow properties, extended OCI)?
 
With lots of in-town miles and living in a cold climate, I think 8,000 miles/1 year OCI is stretching it. I'd be more inclined to keep it simple: maybe Pennzoil conventional every 6 months.
 
yeah, I debated between once a year, or twice a year OCI's. Even twice a year with SuperTech Full synthetic won't break the bank.
 
I agree stop and go may consume the additive package before 8000 miles/one year occurs.

If you will change filter and top off at 5K miles it will help some.
 
Just my two cents here...

If you end up going the 2 OCI per year route, then why not go with Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Semi Synthetic Blend? I only say this because you have 180k miles on your vehicle, and as far as I've read on here, the Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Semi Synthetic has a good rep here on BITOG due to its stout additive pack. And, having taken a gander on Walmart's website, I see that it's basically the same price as the SuperTech Full Synthetic (but the SuperTech Full Synthetic isn't HM). And as for the Pennzoil syn-blend you speak of, it also is not HM.

If you end up going one OCI per year, then I'd fork out a bit more cash and go with the Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic.

The Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Semi Synthetic is $17.97 per 5 qt jug, and the Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic is $25.17 per 5 qt jug.
 
Any of the synthetics or name-brand synblend will likely be fine for your purpose. The Shell or the Supertech product will be good.

When I am looking for inexpensive brands, I have a soft-spot for Havoline if it is available.
 
My 2005 GC suffers from the 3.8 consumption issues that this model is known for. The "situation" is mitigated substantially when I use a full synthetic. By the time I spend money to top off between oil changes when I use a conventional, I am money ahead using a full synthetic (or quality syn blend) in the long run.
 
I would say Pen's syn blend...


Or, Just buy Pennzoil Conventional and top it off with some sort of syn....it will end up a blend anyways....
 
Either product will be fine. Remember that the Pennzoil blend is at least 50% syn anyway.

However, perhaps a High Mileage oil might also be worth considering, such as Maxlife, Pennzoil High Mileage, or possibly even QS Defy. Defy is said to also have a good amount of syn if not a Full Synthetic altogether.

But if synthetic has mitigated your problems, then using the store brand syn might seem to be the better way to go. Don't mess with success, right?

Another thing, though. Could the difference in consumption be due to it being synthetic, or due to SOPUS' add packages?

All of this sounds like Defy might be a good choice for you, since it's mostly syn and made by SOPUS. And likely cheaper than the two you're considering, at most it'll cost the same.
 
I would use Quaker State green bottle once a year.

Walmart had Nextgen Maxlife for $8 a jug not too long ago if you can find it. Otherwise, don't over think the oil. The rest of the van will fall apart before the engine dies.
 
Maxlife is currently $16.xx at my Walmarts. I think that would be a good choice given your mileage and consumption issues.
 
I have an '07 DGC with the 3.8 and she goes through a quart every 2000 miles. I have been running the PSB 5w30 for the last 10k or so miles and it seems to hold up well.

The oil loss issue I think stems from my improperly installed PCV valve though. I cant for the life of me get the darn rubber grommet to seat in the valve cover correctly. After a couple thousand miles it dislodges itself from the valve cover and gets stuck up in the hose. Clearly there is more than the normal amount of oil vapors getting past it going into the intake, more so then if the valve was installed properly. I've tried all of the tricks to get it seated deep into the cover and nothing gets it to "snap" into place.

If I were you I would pull off the hose and inspect your PCV valve...
 
I tried removing my PCV valve about a year ago. Chewed off the stem. Darn valve wouldn't come out. I was content to get the hose back over the valve and it worked fine. If it were easy to get to (it's not), I would remove the valve cover and push it out from the back side. At this point, I am content to leave well enough alone!
 
I wish we had a used oil analysis/VOA of the Pennzoil Dexos blend. If it has the same add pack as Pennzoil conventional but 50% syn, I'd take the PSB myself. If not I'd probably opt for the Warren full syn.
 
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