Anything with an ACEA A5/B5 or A3/B3, B4 gets the nod from me.
Rank the Synthetic Oils
- Thread starter klt1986
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*My choices as well however PPPP and M1 get the nod due to A5/B5 rating .
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted by klt1986
How do you personally rank the major synthetic oils...the ones that are reasonably easy to find? For example, how does standard Mobil 1 5w20 stack up against Castrol Edge, PP, Valvoline, & QS in the same viscosity? I read a lot about Mobil 1 Extended Performance, AFE, and AP but don't seem to see much about the old Mobil 1.
In 5W30 flavor..... SN Plus + Dexos1 / Gen2
Valvoline Advanced
Castrol Edge Black
Pennzoil Platinum
Mobil 1 vanilla
Quaker State Ultimate Durability
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted by klt1986
How do you personally rank the major synthetic oils...the ones that are reasonably easy to find? For example, how does standard Mobil 1 5w20 stack up against Castrol Edge, PP, Valvoline, & QS in the same viscosity? I read a lot about Mobil 1 Extended Performance, AFE, and AP but don't seem to see much about the old Mobil 1.
In 5W30 flavor..... SN Plus + Dexos1 / Gen2
Valvoline Advanced
Castrol Edge Black
Pennzoil Platinum
Mobil 1 vanilla
Quaker State Ultimate Durability
I'd like to see a ranking based on performance for a modern GTDI engine that gets mixed highway/city driving in year-round weather conditions in a performance application (with some towing/high load excursions). The only used oil analysis I've seen for EcoBoost that could actually exceed 7500 mile OCI were AMSOIL Signature Series and the Mobil 1 Extended Performance /AP oils, every other synthetic seemed to start failing at 7500 miles or so.
I have run all of them and they all work fine in my engines
I try to buy oil on clearance and rebate time
Therefore I do not have any favorite brand but I do like all those listed because
they are high quality name branded oils that PQIA has found meet standards and many other folks here use consistently
I try to buy oil on clearance and rebate time
Therefore I do not have any favorite brand but I do like all those listed because
they are high quality name branded oils that PQIA has found meet standards and many other folks here use consistently
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
Originally Posted by metroplex
I'd like to see a ranking based on performance for a modern GTDI engine that gets mixed highway/city driving in year-round weather conditions in a performance application (with some towing/high load excursions). The only used oil analysis I've seen for EcoBoost that could actually exceed 7500 mile OCI were AMSOIL Signature Series and the Mobil 1 Extended Performance /AP oils, every other synthetic seemed to start failing at 7500 miles or so.
These oils today (SN Plus + Dexos1 Gen2 are brand new concoctions. Check back in six months to see enough used oil analysis. There's only a few currently.
I best-like the formulas of Valvoline Advanced, Castrol Black Edge and Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Castrol EDGE Extended Performance Gold is missing a certification. Not sure if it's Dexos or SN Plus. But the jug is missing one of those certs.
I require both certs for purchases. My first oil change in my GDI will be Valvoline Advanced 5W30. But I have purchased three brands already. Also have Pennzoil Platinum and Castrol Edge Black. When Mobil 1 runs their next rebate program, I'm buying Mobil 1 Extended Performance.
By the time I finish running all four brands, G6 will be out and that will put a monkey wrench in everything to date. Oil concoctions will keep changing over the next decade.
I'd like to see a ranking based on performance for a modern GTDI engine that gets mixed highway/city driving in year-round weather conditions in a performance application (with some towing/high load excursions). The only used oil analysis I've seen for EcoBoost that could actually exceed 7500 mile OCI were AMSOIL Signature Series and the Mobil 1 Extended Performance /AP oils, every other synthetic seemed to start failing at 7500 miles or so.
These oils today (SN Plus + Dexos1 Gen2 are brand new concoctions. Check back in six months to see enough used oil analysis. There's only a few currently.
I best-like the formulas of Valvoline Advanced, Castrol Black Edge and Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Castrol EDGE Extended Performance Gold is missing a certification. Not sure if it's Dexos or SN Plus. But the jug is missing one of those certs.
I require both certs for purchases. My first oil change in my GDI will be Valvoline Advanced 5W30. But I have purchased three brands already. Also have Pennzoil Platinum and Castrol Edge Black. When Mobil 1 runs their next rebate program, I'm buying Mobil 1 Extended Performance.
By the time I finish running all four brands, G6 will be out and that will put a monkey wrench in everything to date. Oil concoctions will keep changing over the next decade.
Last edited:
Patman
Staff member
Originally Posted by CT8
Oil is oil.
Yet another useless post from you.
Oil is oil.
Yet another useless post from you.
As with others, for my needs, price is the qualifying factor in which one I buy.
My motors do not require any special oils at all, they can all use SM oil if I wanted (some being SJ), and I am not doing any extended intervals, so any SN/SN+ oil will do.
Modern Synthetics are all pretty equal, some may be better in certain applications, but overall, a lot comes down to personal preference.
While I have no issues with conventional, I can usually find synthetic for the same price or cheaper with rebates/sales/clearances.
My motors do not require any special oils at all, they can all use SM oil if I wanted (some being SJ), and I am not doing any extended intervals, so any SN/SN+ oil will do.
Modern Synthetics are all pretty equal, some may be better in certain applications, but overall, a lot comes down to personal preference.
While I have no issues with conventional, I can usually find synthetic for the same price or cheaper with rebates/sales/clearances.
Currently PU on rollback during a rebate period.
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi)
)
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi)
)Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
They are not equal. They only qualify for the specification. Afterwards, your vehcle decides the ranking. Non TGDIs will rank differently than TGDIs.
It all depends on what you got under the hood - how often you change it - driving habits - location......etc.
It all depends on what you got under the hood - how often you change it - driving habits - location......etc.
Last edited:
Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by bbhero
I just saw a Mobil 1 commercial talking about 250k miles of protection... Seems a bit low balled for Mobil 1.... Pennzoil Ultra was for like 500k miles.. and Quaker State full synthetic I think is 250k miles.
I really thought Mobil 1 would be going for 400 to 500 hundred thousand miles...
Advertising like that is hardly worth the paper it's printed on.
Don't take it as gospel truth or "facts"
Ahh yeah true of course.... However... Still surprising how "low" a mileage Mobil 1 made a claim about in their commercial.
Originally Posted by bbhero
I just saw a Mobil 1 commercial talking about 250k miles of protection... Seems a bit low balled for Mobil 1.... Pennzoil Ultra was for like 500k miles.. and Quaker State full synthetic I think is 250k miles.
I really thought Mobil 1 would be going for 400 to 500 hundred thousand miles...
Advertising like that is hardly worth the paper it's printed on.
Don't take it as gospel truth or "facts"
Ahh yeah true of course.... However... Still surprising how "low" a mileage Mobil 1 made a claim about in their commercial.
Originally Posted by alarmguy
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi))
Or ACEA rating.
Or any number of manufacturer's ratings.
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi)
)Or ACEA rating.
Or any number of manufacturer's ratings.
Rank oil?
Based on having used it until the vehicle it was used in died from oil related issues? I suspect that very few on this forum has done that.
Based on how well the particular oil company markets their product? More likely.
Based on having used it until the vehicle it was used in died from oil related issues? I suspect that very few on this forum has done that.
Based on how well the particular oil company markets their product? More likely.
Originally Posted by alarmguy
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi))
Wrong. Just dead wrong. In a thread asking an essentially unanswerable question, you've found one "answer" that is actually, objectively incorrect. These two members already responded, very appropriately:
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
They are not equal. They only qualify for the specification. Afterwards, your vehcle decides the ranking. Non TGDIs will rank differently than TGDIs.
It all depends ohttps://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5061547/rank-the-synthetic-oils#Post5061547n what you got under the hood - how often you change it - driving habits - location......etc.
Originally Posted by d00df00d
Originally Posted by alarmguy
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi))
Or ACEA rating.
Or any number of manufacturer's ratings.
I would also add that even if you look only at the API certification, you can't really "rank" the oils that way, except to divide them into two groups -- the ones that meet a particular API category and those that don't. And within one API category, you could have one superb oil, and another that meets the spec just barely and performs poorly. But using API, you can't rank them; they're in the same API cat. And you can have oils of different viscosity, but the same API, and so on.
There is some benefit, though, in the subject answer: it highlights the utter hopelessness of this thread in the first place. There are simply too many differing situations, requirements and so forth to meaningfully "Rank the Synthetic Oils". Those who need the ultimate in high temperature durability WILL rank the same oils differently, for example, than those who are seeking long drain intervals for passenger cars or lowest cost for a fleet. And so on.
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi)
)Wrong. Just dead wrong. In a thread asking an essentially unanswerable question, you've found one "answer" that is actually, objectively incorrect. These two members already responded, very appropriately:
Originally Posted by Triple_Se7en
They are not equal. They only qualify for the specification. Afterwards, your vehcle decides the ranking. Non TGDIs will rank differently than TGDIs.
It all depends ohttps://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5061547/rank-the-synthetic-oils#Post5061547n what you got under the hood - how often you change it - driving habits - location......etc.
Originally Posted by d00df00d
Originally Posted by alarmguy
The only standardized way to rank oils is by API Rating.
Anything else is opinion.
Oils of equal API are equal (and that includes conventional and semi)
)Or ACEA rating.
Or any number of manufacturer's ratings.
I would also add that even if you look only at the API certification, you can't really "rank" the oils that way, except to divide them into two groups -- the ones that meet a particular API category and those that don't. And within one API category, you could have one superb oil, and another that meets the spec just barely and performs poorly. But using API, you can't rank them; they're in the same API cat. And you can have oils of different viscosity, but the same API, and so on.
There is some benefit, though, in the subject answer: it highlights the utter hopelessness of this thread in the first place. There are simply too many differing situations, requirements and so forth to meaningfully "Rank the Synthetic Oils". Those who need the ultimate in high temperature durability WILL rank the same oils differently, for example, than those who are seeking long drain intervals for passenger cars or lowest cost for a fleet. And so on.
I look for PAO content (pure plus base to an extent) for base oil and I look at who's generous with the add back: either high calcium or a high mag/boron combo, appropriate phosphorus, I look at moly...... And then I throw that out the window and buy Pennzoil pure Platinum, Mobil 1 extended performance or advanced for economy lol.
Originally Posted by stanlee
I look for PAO content (pure plus base to an extent) for base oil and I look at who's generous with the add back: either high calcium or a high mag/boron combo, appropriate phosphorus, I look at moly...... And then I throw that out the window and buy Pennzoil pure Platinum, Mobil 1 extended performance or advanced for economy lol.
Yep, pretty much hit the nail... For many, they can do lots of good, informative homework, and then the reality of what's actually on the shelves at Walmart, AZ or AA overrides.
I look for PAO content (pure plus base to an extent) for base oil and I look at who's generous with the add back: either high calcium or a high mag/boron combo, appropriate phosphorus, I look at moly...... And then I throw that out the window and buy Pennzoil pure Platinum, Mobil 1 extended performance or advanced for economy lol.
Yep, pretty much hit the nail... For many, they can do lots of good, informative homework, and then the reality of what's actually on the shelves at Walmart, AZ or AA overrides.
Originally Posted by CT8
Oil is oil.
i really start to understand its true.
changed today from mc synblend ti castrol stop start Full Synthetic and felt no difference what so ever not even the slightest.ran a m1 on my previous car changed to redline felt no difference,its all plasibo effect.maybe it can be felt in and older cars or with ticking engines,dont know,and i think the right intervals and right grade is the most important.
Oil is oil.
i really start to understand its true.
changed today from mc synblend ti castrol stop start Full Synthetic and felt no difference what so ever not even the slightest.ran a m1 on my previous car changed to redline felt no difference,its all plasibo effect.maybe it can be felt in and older cars or with ticking engines,dont know,and i think the right intervals and right grade is the most important.
Quaker State Ultimate Durability. Easy to find. Good price and with rebates even better.
I've used them all, including Super Tech (Valvoline, Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Quaker State, TGMO, Napa Synthetic)...some consumed more than others.
But the one that really shocked me - because I had low expectations - was Castrol Magnetic. For some reason my engine became quieter and used less oil during that run. The only reason why I used it was because someone gave it to me for free. You'd think I'd give it another try but I haven't.
But the one that really shocked me - because I had low expectations - was Castrol Magnetic. For some reason my engine became quieter and used less oil during that run. The only reason why I used it was because someone gave it to me for free. You'd think I'd give it another try but I haven't.
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