If Valvoline Max life synthetic blend has such a good additive package, with boron and Moly, which I can vouch for from a UOA. But yet if you look at Mobil 1 nowhere near the molly or the boron.. I know the additive package isn't everything. Moly and boron, but it has a lot to do with reducing friction.. is it actually a better oil. Just because it ain't a full synthetic base..