Pennzoil Platinum or Schaeffer's?

GT Mike · May 23, 2007

Just gleaning some opinions on what would be the better oil for my '04 Explorer.

We've always used Schaeffer's in the race car, and I've used it many times in my personal vehicles. In fact, if it weren't for this site giving me new ideas, I'd probably still be using it exclusively!

Right now I have PP 5w30 in the crankcase, and it's definitely better than whatever the dealership filled it with (Motorcraft?), but just wondering what oil everyone thought was the winner between the two.

I'm getting close to needing to change oil, so I figured I'd get some ideas.

GC crossed my mind, but the availability is a bit of a concern. My AutoZone doesn't seem to keep it on the shelf consistently.

Johnny · May 23, 2007

There both good oils and proven winners. Use which one makes you sleep best at night.

mckennaiii · May 23, 2007

schaeffer's 9000 5w40 has been a winner for me in my four vehicles. sure glad i finally tried it.

06VtecV6 · May 23, 2007

I got PP in there now and had MC in there before this current PP fill and I would say go with which one gives you what you desire the most for your car.

Wait. Let's back up and identify what your most foremost desires are in terms of attributes desired from motor oil. I would say the top 3 or 4 things most, not all, people look for from oil: (I am more of #s 1, 2, 3 so that is why I put the ranks but yours may differ)

1. First in importance - Performance- For my rev-centric engine, I look for slickness or just overall 'better performance'.

2 Second in importance- Fuel economy- Kind of goes hand in hand with being 'thinner'(#1) or 'slicker'(#1) or whatever you want to call it. Generally, the thinner the oil, the better FE.

3. Third in importance - Enhanced Low end tug or torque. Big time requirement if you do predominantly city driving where revs vary to absolute low to mid range and then up more and then right back down to low to mids predominantly.

4. Fourth in importance- Protection - for those who want that 300k mikes out of their engine and want the absolute "best possible' to every iota possible. I would kinda lump 'smoothness' in here since most synthetics that protect the absolute best also tend to be extremely smooth intrinsically. (I'm sure there are some exceptions out there but I haven't heard of an absolute abysmal synthetic)

I think PP favors #3 as well as #4 in that is better for city driving and in low gears/rpm where it's more robust and thicker 5w-20 helps. I also think since it has good UOAs, that #4 protection is inherently important to full synthetic PP users so many place themselves with that category in terms of importance and smoothness is something PP is extremely good at. (atleast mostly in the low-mid gears)

I would say that perhaps MC is better at Numbers 1 and 2 in terms of it's strength of revving and mileage. I have an idea that Schaeffers is more comparable to PP since it is a synthetic. I do not know Sch. strength and weaknesses in terms of its UOAs and general user-performance.

Between Schaeffers and PP, I would go with whichever does more of the above better.

Pure money. Questions, comments?

INDYMAC · May 23, 2007

Since you're already using PP and seem to like it, why not use it for a couple of more fills and then do a UOA. If there's nothing wrong with the UOA, keep charging on. Pretty simple, huh?

zonestar · May 23, 2007

Quote:

I got PP in there now and had MC in there before this current PP fill and I would say go with which one gives you what you desire the most for your car.

Wait. Let's back up and identify what your most foremost desires are in terms of attributes desired from motor oil. I would say the top 3 or 4 things most, not all, people look for from oil: (I am more of #s 1, 2, 3 so that is why I put the ranks but yours may differ)

1. First in importance - Performance- For my rev-centric engine, I look for slickness or just overall 'better performance'.

2 Second in importance- Fuel economy- Kind of goes hand in hand with being 'thinner'(#1) or 'slicker'(#1) or whatever you want to call it. Generally, the thinner the oil, the better FE.

3. Third in importance - Enhanced Low end tug or torque. Big time requirement if you do predominantly city driving where revs vary to absolute low to mid range and then up more and then right back down to low to mids predominantly.

4. Fourth in importance- Protection - for those who want that 300k mikes out of their engine and want the absolute "best possible' to every iota possible. I would kinda lump 'smoothness' in here since most synthetics that protect the absolute best also tend to be extremely smooth intrinsically. (I'm sure there are some exceptions out there but I haven't heard of an absolute abysmal synthetic)

I think PP favors #3 as well as #4 in that is better for city driving and in low gears/rpm where it's more robust and thicker 5w-20 helps. I also think since it has good UOAs, that #4 protection is inherently important to full synthetic PP users so many place themselves with that category in terms of importance and smoothness is something PP is extremely good at. (atleast mostly in the low-mid gears)

I would say that perhaps MC is better at Numbers 1 and 2 in terms of it's strength of revving and mileage. I have no clue if Schaeffers is even comparable to MC let alone PP although since Sch is full syn, it would naturally be aligned better with PP. I do not know Sch. strength and weaknesses in terms of its UOAs and performance.

Between Schaeffers and PP, I would go with whichever does more of the above better.

Pure money.

He still makes no sense.

turbomazda · May 23, 2007

gotta love it though - i actually look forward to reading this guys posts and then the barrage of flames.

G-MAN · May 23, 2007

Quote:

gotta love it though - i actually look forward to reading this guys posts and then the barrage of flames.

No flames, please. Constructive criticism is fine.

Greggy_D · May 23, 2007

Why do we have to put up with this #@$%!? Posts like his bring down the integrity and reputation of this board. We are BETTER than that!

Do we want BITOG to become some comedic sideshow or laughing-stock?

johnbottilaw · May 23, 2007

Quote:

Why do we have to put up with this #@$%!? Posts like his bring down the integrity and reputation of this board. We are BETTER than that!

Do we want BITOG to become some comedic sideshow or laughing-stock?

You mean to tell me this is not a comedy board?

Johnny · May 23, 2007

Greggy, take a deep breath. Every class, social event, or work force has one. It will be alright.

Johnny · May 23, 2007

No John it's not. But all work and no play make for a boring day.

ToyotaNSaturn · May 23, 2007

I don't fully understand his post, either. But I don't find anything offensive at all with his post in this topic. He's entitled to his opinion and has stayed well within the board's guidelines. I don't see a problem here...

As for PP vs Schaeffers...I agree with IndyMac, try one for a while, then try the other. THEN cast your vote for the long haul...

salesrep · May 23, 2007

Schaeffers will outperform both in all 4 categories.

Johnny · May 23, 2007

Buy your Schaeffer's from salesrep, he is a site sponsor. Wal-Mart is not.

Greggy_D · May 23, 2007

Quote:

But I don't find anything offensive at all with his post in this topic. He's entitled to his opinion and has stayed well within the board's guidelines.

TnS, you are correct....it's nothing offensive. It's just the same old dribble based on non-fact. Even opinion needs to be based on SOME fact at one time or another.

"Slickness"? "Thicker 5w-20"?

My concern is for the newbies that read this garbage and are led down the wrong Yellow Brick Road.

And yes, Johnny. I'm already imbibing tonight. Obviously, not enough.

johnbottilaw · May 23, 2007

"Between Schaeffers and PP, I would go with whichever does more of the above better."

I am very grateful I found this board. I could not find amusement like this anywhere at any price. Hard to know if this is a joke or not, and kudos to you if it is, that level of humor bespeaks talent. If it is just insanity though, I am equally grateful, I just can't find this anywhere else.

LouDawg · May 23, 2007

Quote:

"Between Schaeffers and PP, I would go with whichever does more of the above better."

I am very grateful I found this board. I could not find amusement like this anywhere at any price. Hard to know if this is a joke or not, and kudos to you if it is, that level of humor bespeaks talent. If it is just insanity though, I am equally grateful, I just can't find this anywhere else.

Yes, I've never seen other types of those types of things, either.

GT Mike · May 23, 2007

Quote:

Buy your Schaeffer's from salesrep, he is a site sponsor. Wal-Mart is not.

I buy my Schaeffer's from my machine shop...He's our race car's sponsor.

Trucku · May 23, 2007

I have an 02 Explorer V6 and ran mobil1 since I bought her used with 45k on the odometer. I have been meaning to go to Amsoil, but budget does not permit. In any case I bought some PP 5W-30. She has 74K on her now and she sounded quieter right away. I lost all the clatter I noticed when I went to Mobil1 from whatever was in the crankcase at the first oil change. That alone has made me happy.

Good luck.

Pennzoil Platinum or Schaeffer's?

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