PYB vs. NAPA syn

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Not trying to beat a dead horse but haven't seen this discussion in one thread. Pennzoil Conventional is $16.47 at my local Walmart for a five qt jug and five quarts of NAPA syn can be had for $1.50 more on sale thru 4/30. For these prices, which would you use in a Honda or Acura vehicle (5w-20 flavor)? I think either would be great but just wanted to know if I am missing something obvious. Thanks.
 
Paying 10% more for a synthetic is a good value. I believe Valvoline SynPower is the same stuff in the NAPA synthetic you're considering.
 
Originally Posted By: Gabe
NAPA synthetic is NOT the same as Valvoline Synpower.

Pennzoil Conventional looks to be the better oil.


Explain.

If you are going by spec to determine that Pennzoil Conventional is the better oil then how do you know that napa syn a syn power are not the same?
 
Doesn't Pennzoil conventional supposedly use GTL base oil and is why the NOACK tested so awesome? The add pack on Napa synthetic is nothing special. Of course you never know what SOPUS will do next. I'd use Pennzoil conventional.
 
Originally Posted By: Gabe
NAPA synthetic is NOT the same as Valvoline Synpower.


Agreed. used oil analysis for the Napa version are not near as strong as Synpower, so there is a difference.

I honestly don't understand the popularity of the Napa Syn here, near as I can tell it's entirely price driven. Results sure don't impress me. Often called "Synpower without the Power" that is pretty accurate IMO.
 
I'd take the Napa synthetic, for a few reasons:

First, the price difference is very very small, so for the minimal difference, why not just get synthetic?

Second, the individual bottles are more user-friendly than the big jug, particularly if your engine takes less than the full 5 quarts.

Third, Napa isn't Walmart! Some people don't like shopping at Walmart for their controversial business practices.

Also, Ashland/Valvoline does buy base stock from Shell and may very well be using GTL.

The synthetic is also available in 0w20 which should get you better gas mileage and easier startup. Most Hondas that require 5w20 are allowed to use 0w20
 
Pennzoil conventional.............why? Glad you asked. Big dose of Moly, Boron and a solid proven base stock.
 
synthetic??
Dino and todays average synthetic are pretty much the same thing its all good these days in oil land if one oil was really better than another it would say so on the bottle and everywhere else. The reason you dont see those our oil is the best is because they are all pretty much the same and saying something like that attracts Lawyers and lawsuits and someone will end up paying millions.\

My advice use what is cheapest that has the ratings you need.
 
I believe most of the napa synthetic uses a weaker add pack than valvoline synthetic. I think the only viscosity that is the same as the valvoline stuff is the 0w20. however, valvoline (ashland) tends to use other additives that don't show up in a used oil analysis, so its possible that the napa has just as much of those additives, or more, than the valvoline equivilant. I vote for the napa synthetic.
 
Check out the PQIA website if you want to compare the Napa Synthetic to the Synpower. http://www.pqiamerica.com/March2013PCMO/Marchsyntheticsallfinal.html
They additive levels appears to be similar between the two. If I had to choose I would pick the Napa synthetic over Pennzoil Conventional at least in my applications. One reason is that Napa claims to exceed the Dexos spec and Pennzoil Conventional doesn't. I know that does not apply to Hondas but it's still something to think about.
 
"conventional" and "synthetic" in this case are simply marketing distinctions that even still, mean virtually nothing.

You have to look deeper than buzzwords on the label, esp. when we have that information at our disposal. And never forget, being awarded specs that are purchased/licensed also is not a reliable distinction between two products (ie the defuct Hto-06,dexos1/2) unless you know for a fact that both products were submitted for that same specification.
 
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Originally Posted By: tommygunn

Also, Ashland/Valvoline does buy base stock from Shell and may very well be using GTL.



When did Shell start selling GTL lubricants to a 3rd party?
 
+1 !! If I'm going to buy a synthetic it will be Quaker State Ultimate Durability , PP or M1 (readily available high quality synthetic oils available for a decent price at WM) .
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Originally Posted By: Gabe
NAPA synthetic is NOT the same as Valvoline Synpower.


Agreed. used oil analysis for the Napa version are not near as strong as Synpower, so there is a difference.

I honestly don't understand the popularity of the Napa Syn here, near as I can tell it's entirely price driven. Results sure don't impress me. Often called "Synpower without the Power" that is pretty accurate IMO.
 
Originally Posted By: dave1251
Originally Posted By: tommygunn

Also, Ashland/Valvoline does buy base stock from Shell and may very well be using GTL.



When did Shell start selling GTL lubricants to a 3rd party?


They didn't and they won't. This is more unconfirmed GTL hype. I've asked them. They aren't going to sell GTL to anyone in the near future.
 
Who knows, many on BITOG who are more verse on these things than i am have stated that API SN is part synthetic to begin with.
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