Ravenol Excessive For My Needs?

[Shel_B]

Allow me to preface my remarks with a little background. I recently purchased a 2011 Camry 2.5 with a little more than 77K on the clock. The car seems to be pretty solid, and I like it. Fits my needs perfectly. I don't drive many miles per year, but do a lot of short trips locally, although I get on the highway once or twice a month for longer drives, 50 miles or more. Since I drive around 5,000 miles per year, I'm on roughly a once a year OCI. I like to use a good quality oil ... right now Castrol EDGE Extended Performance is in the sump, although I've generally used Mobil 1 in the past. I have my next oil change on the shelf, Mobil 1 Extended Performance.

I have been reading about Ravenol, and it appears to be an exceptional oil ... it's certainly spendy! I've been toying with the idea of moving to Ravenol after the M1 is gone, but I suspect it's totally over the top for my car and driving style. The cost is a small concern, but way down on the list of importance.

My question is this: considering the oil(s) I'm using now, will I see any advantage of moving to Ravenol? Depending on the flavor, could I get a 2 year OCI from the brand? Some have suggested I'm using a better oil now than is needed for the ol' Camry, and I understand that, but I'm not going to change. I'm comfortable with what I'm doing.

My initial thoughts are to leave things as they are unless there is some benefit to changing.

 

[Trav]

The oils you are currently using are better than the mid tier Ravenol IMO.

 

[OVERKILL]

I run their 0w-40 because it's PAO based, has low Noack and is recommended for my application. I'm running Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20 for many of the same reasons in the RAM. You are already short-changing Mobil 1 Extended Performance, which is an exceptional oil, I doubt Ravenol is going to allow you to run longer OCI's, in fact, probably shorter ones, since it isn't specifically designed around that purpose.

 

[JeffKeryk]

That Camry will run well on any decent oil, including the Kirkland stuff.

 

[wpod]

5.000 miles per year? 10 years would equal 50,000 miles? Any low cost name brand oil from the majors with the proper ratings will let the engine out live the chassis.

 

[UncleDave]

My question is this: considering the oil(s) I'm using now, will I see any advantage of moving to Ravenol?

No.

 

[edyvw]

I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 in my Toyota.
At this speed in did not blow up:

 

[Shel_B]

Thanks, everyone ... I'll just stick with what I'm doing.

 

[edyvw]

Thanks, everyone ... I'll just stick with what I'm doing.

I personally like Mobil 1 Extended Performance in this category of ILSAC GF-6 oils due to robust PAO content.

 

[Shel_B]

That Camry will run well on any decent oil, including the Kirkland stuff.

I certainly like the price on the Kirkland oil, and from what I've read, it's a good choice. I may switch to that for my GF's Prius.

 

[measureman]

Before I stopped doing my own oil changes I used Super Tech Full Synthetic in all my vehicles.
With a Fram ultra filter and 8K changes.
Never a problem.
My currant cars are still under factory warranty and the dealer does the changes free on one car and $25 on the other.

 

[vivaUkraine]

Isn't this case a golden candidate for a SuperTech synthetic?

 

[TheLawnRanger]

I wouldn't use Ravenol myself but I'm glad it's there for those who want it. Choice is a great thing.

 

[radiometer]

What you're doing now is quite sufficient for your car. I went with Ravenol 5w30. Why?? Well, that's just me.

 

[john_pifer]

Any tangible benefit to using Ravenol over Mobil 1 Extended Performance or Castrol EDGE Extended Performance?

Perhaps not, but, sometimes oil is an emotional choice or a "fun" choice.

Sometimes it's interesting just to run something exotic or different just for the fun of it. Just to see if you think your engine runs any different, sounds any different, cranks over quicker in the morning, etc.

Some take this even further by switching oils and then getting used oil analysis on each, and comparing the differences.

At that point, it's a hobby, and more for fun than any monetary benefit or benefit to longevity of your engine. And there's nothing wrong with that.

I say if you're interested, buy the Ravenol and run it. Maybe order up a couple of UOA kits from Blackstone or OAI. Take a sample when you drain your current fill of Castrol EDGE Extended Performance. Then do a sample of the Mobil 1 Extended Performance, then run some Ravenol for comparison. 3 used oil analysis will cost you about $75 or less, and you'll get plenty of entertainment out of it. And you can provide some information for others by posting the results here.

Go for it!

 

[radiometer]

John_Pifer, you make a good post. Perhaps I won't ever know if there is any real benefit by using Ravenol. A lot of posters here believe Grp IV is a great oil and Ravenol is PAO. I have no doubt that I would get a long engine life with other synthetics. I don't believe Ravenol (Grp IV) will let me down either. At my age I don't think I have enough driving time to wear out an engine anyway. Anyway, I like your post.

 

[michael007]

It's nice to see a company stick with PAO.

I was just reading the Russian liqui moly blog on why they stick to group III or a mix of III/IV.

translated snippet:
"Despite the fact that oils on a pure PAO (polyalphaolefins) base remain the most advanced and resistant to harsh operating conditions, global car manufacturers recommend the use of hydrocracking oils. They are more affordable and cheaper, they are quite enough for normal car operation. It is because of the change in priorities that the developers of additives packages have been developing formulas for more than a decade, designed primarily for use from a hydrocracking base."

 

[edyvw]

It's nice to see a company stick with PAO.

I was just reading the Russian liqui moly blog on why they stick to group III or a mix of III/IV.

translated snippet:
"Despite the fact that oils on a pure PAO (polyalphaolefins) base remain the most advanced and resistant to harsh operating conditions, global car manufacturers recommend the use of hydrocracking oils. They are more affordable and cheaper, they are quite enough for normal car operation. It is because of the change in priorities that the developers of additives packages have been developing formulas for more than a decade, designed primarily for use from a hydrocracking base."

Liqui Moly was always company that would find home among worse snake oil salesmen.
In 90's LM was selling HC oils as the best thing after sliced bread. They were the first in Germany to jump on HC train, and oh boy did they try to upsell that. Of course, at that time general public could not just go to web site and find out differences between oils, short of lending books from libraries that are too technical for average vehicle owner.
Now that there is access to everything everywhere they are on defensive trying to justify why they selling their mediocre product the way they do.
Just pay attention to language. No where is is mentioned how their product is superior, super uber Made in germany. It is specifically saying: it is enough, and vehicle manufacturers demands. When he mentioned vehicle manufacturers demands, what he is saying is that making better product would require much more investment, and they will not do it bcs. they can get by.

 

[michael007]

Liqui Moly was always company that would find home among worse snake oil salesmen.
In 90's LM was selling HC oils as the best thing after sliced bread. They were the first in Germany to jump on HC train, and oh boy did they try to upsell that. Of course, at that time general public could not just go to web site and find out differences between oils, short of lending books from libraries that are too technical for average vehicle owner.
Now that there is access to everything everywhere they are on defensive trying to justify why they selling their mediocre product the way they do.
Just pay attention to language. No where is is mentioned how their product is superior, super uber Made in germany. It is specifically saying: it is enough, and vehicle manufacturers demands. When he mentioned vehicle manufacturers demands, what he is saying is that making better product would require much more investment, and they will not do it bcs. they can get by.

I don't disagree with what you've said because I was playing with hot wheels in the 90's but what I had posted was just an extract. They continue to say that the product is comparable to one with a 100% PAO base but at a more attractive price.

I believe them because when the VW 508.00 comparison came out last year, I had ordered a case of Total Quartz Ineo Long Life 0W-20. Since that comparison came out, the pour point for a lot of the VW 508 products changed on the spec sheets (Total, Liqui moly.. etc). So when the products came out, they used a high PAO base but as time went on, they figured out additive packages that would be able to meet the standard and group III could be the used as the base instead of group IV.

Liqui moly is just repeating this info saying that most additive packages are designed for group III and when used, they can create a comparable product at a cost that's more attractive for the average consumer.

the rest of the spiel translated:
"Chemists and technologists of Liqui Moly GmbH decided to combine the advantages of classic PAO oils with modern bases and formulas of additive packages, thus obtaining oils with the most modern tolerances of automakers, while having all the advantages of PAO synthetics. Based on this approach, two premium quality motor oils have been developed and launched: Leichtlauf Energy 0W-40 and Leichtlauf Longtime 0W-30.

Leichtlauf Energy 0W-40 is the latest hydrocracking oil with up to 50% PAO in the finished product. This proportion of PAO does not yet give the oil the title of full synthetic, but adds excellent properties to the product. The oil has very high physical and chemical characteristics: high viscosity index and flash point. Alkalinity, corresponding to the MB 229.5 tolerance, indicates the highest resource, good detergent properties and stability in operation. This oil is recommended for gasoline engines of European origin without particulate filters, as well as diesel engines without particulate filters. Approvals and specifications ACEA A3, ACEA B4, API SN, Porsche A40, API CF, BMW Longlife-01 (up to 2018), Ford WSSM2C 937-A, MB 229.5, Renault RN 0700, Renault RN 0710, VW 502 00,

Leichtlauf Longtime 0w30 is the latest HC-synthetic oil based on a mixture of modern hydrocracking bases of API III + groups of different viscosity. This oil is in the Mid SAPS category and has an additive package limited to sulfur, phosphorus and total ash, which makes it suitable for use in gasoline and diesel engines with particulate filters. The peculiarity of this oil lies in the enormous resource inherent in it, which makes it possible not to reduce the oil change time under severe operating conditions. Approvals and specifications: ACEA C3, API SN, MB 229.31, MB 229.51, MB 229.52, Renault RN 0700, Renault RN 0710.

Both new items of the Leichtlauf line are excellently suited for use throughout Russia, including the northern regions. The oils have the highest performance and can be used even at extremely low temperatures.

Thus, the new products in the Leichtlauf line have a more attractive price compared to 100% PAO synthetics, while providing comparable properties in all main characteristics."

 

[edyvw]

I read that, and there was an interview not long time ago where they are explaining a lot of why, because, but it really does not matter.
If it does not matter, then it is not superior product, which they sell as. They always invested much more in marketing than anything else. In 90's you could not go to soccer game without Liqui Moly being blasted everywhere. It was though superior in one thing back than: it burned in engine like no other.