Pennzoil Platinum vs Ultra

[RoGuE]

For the past three years I have been using Pennzoil Platinum and changing my oil once a year. With the latest Pennzoil promotion, I decided to buy Pennzoil Ultra instead since I can get a $25 rebate back and it would only cost $27. I drive about 4500 miles a year, 4 miles for work each way and about 9 for school each way, so mostly short trips and the reason for yearly changes. Does the Ultra still sound good for this?

 

[45ACP]

PU is just about dead, never got any real traction. Its as good as M1 but M1 has a stable presence, PU really doesnt. As a result, M1 is better.

 

[Quattro Pete]

If PP worked well for you, then so will PU. Heck, at such low miles even a mineral oil would have most likely worked fine. I don't think there is any advantage of having synthetic there under these conditions. It's not like synthetic handles short trips, moisture, and fuel dilution better.

 

[Smokefan1977]

Ultra is a great product and I believe it's not going anywhere. use it with confidence!! Nobody can say M1 is better without any solid proof. You got a killer deal

 

[bepperb]

I think M1 and Pennzoil Ultra are very comparable, and might even consider PU to be closer to M1 EP. The problem I see is that M1 is available in the new standard (for Ford, Toyota and Honda) 0w-20 grade while PU is not. Also, M1 more readily available and available in more grades than PU. For this reason, I can see why M1 has a following and it's uncertain if PU will even be around in 5 years.

 

[RoGuE]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

If PP worked well for you, then so will PU. Heck, at such low miles even a mineral oil would have most likely worked fine. I don't think there is any advantage of having synthetic there under these conditions. It's not like synthetic handles short trips, moisture, and fuel dilution better.

PYB would probably fine I know, I just feel better with synthetic due to the year interval and I will be parked outside this winter having to leave at 5:30am, and if it's anything like last years unusually cold winter (in the teens overnight quite a bit) the synthetic might help a little. Can anyone tell me what the actual difference are between Platinum and Ultra?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: RoGuE

Can anyone tell me what the actual difference are between Platinum and Ultra?

Ultra is being marketed as having superior cleaning capabilities. I don't think you'll find any scientific info on this I'm afraid.

 

[fdcg27]

Ultra has higher virgin TBN than PP, so it will hold up better in longer drains, although PP does pretty well. If PP is good in any given use, Ultra will be good for a bit longer. Either PP or PU is a solid choice, certainly at least equal to M1 in any similar grade. Points to SOPUS as well for being honest about the basestocks used. XOM should try it.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: RoGuE

Can anyone tell me what the actual difference are between Platinum and Ultra?

Yellow and silver bottles and jugs. Also, higher price for "Ultra." Ultra is hard to find, skip it. SN or not. There are other oils.

 

[dparm]

For the Euro (5w40) viscosity there is a more significant difference between Platinum and Ultra.

 

[RoGuE]

I had already bought it when I started the thread. And I don't know about your area but I have seen it in three different Wal-Marts in my area every time I'm there.

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

Originally Posted By: 45ACP

PU is just about dead, never got any real traction. Its as good as M1 but M1 has a stable presence, PU really doesnt. As a result, M1 is better.

I guess if you like higher iron in your UOA you would be right. "Just about dead" "M1 has a stable presence" Where are you coming from? Every where I go for auto parts I see Ultra. For the record I actually use products from Mobil and Pennzoil so I don't have a horse in this race, but statements like this serve no real purpose.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: dparm

For the Euro (5w40) viscosity there is a more significant difference between Platinum and Ultra.

They don't have 5W-40 at Pep Boys of any brand. If you've got a Volvo or a Volkswagen and Pep Boys is the only store in town, you're gonna have to make do with 10W-40.

 

[JeremyInMT]

Originally Posted By: 45ACP

Originally Posted By: RoGuE

Can anyone tell me what the actual difference are between Platinum and Ultra?

Yellow and silver bottles and jugs. Also, higher price for "Ultra." Ultra is hard to find, skip it. SN or not. There are other oils.

While the OP is not going to be taking advantage of it, isn't the Ultra really meant for longer OCI's than Platinum?

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: RoGuE

For the past three years I have been using Pennzoil Platinum and changing my oil once a year. With the latest Pennzoil promotion, I decided to buy Pennzoil Ultra instead since I can get a $25 rebate back and it would only cost $27. I drive about 4500 miles a year, 4 miles for work each way and about 9 for school each way, so mostly short trips and the reason for yearly changes. Does the Ultra still sound good for this?

Yes. Perfect actually.

 

[Boss302fan]

I use PP because I usually do 7K OCI's... In a newer vehicle, I really do not see any difference between PP or Ultra except price. PP for $18.75 at Walmart is a no brainer.

 

[daman]

IMO PU is a notch up from PP because of it's higher TBN and better detergent additive package,both oils are out standing and i have gallons on PU in stash from a wm roll back,great choices for extended OCI, for 10k and more I'd go PU for sure.

 

[RoGuE]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan

I use PP because I usually do 7K OCI's... In a newer vehicle, I really do not see any difference between PP or Ultra except price. PP for $18.75 at Walmart is a no brainer.

PP was $23 compared to $27 for Ultra. For the same cost after rebate, Ultra sounded better.

 

[Boss302fan]

Here in Wi it is $18.75... Like I said, I would use PP(7K miles) but if going 10K miles I would use PU. Remember, if under a new car warranty, most manufactures are around 7500 miles for a normal OCI. PP is perfectly fine for that mileage and dumping PU at that mileage would be a waste of money. PP also has the rebate...