Synthetic Blends

[mannyhs]

What is the typical ratio of synthetic to conventional in a blend?

I see on the Walmart website, that a 5 quart bottle Valvoline Maxlife HM is only $0.80 more than Valvoline conventional. You'd think the price would be somewhere between Valvoline conventional ($16) and the synthetic which is about $25.00

 

[901Memphis]

There is no set percent.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
There is no set percent.

That's right. It could be as little as a few percent.

 

[wemay]

Pennzoil Synthetic Blend has at least 50% synthetic. It is the only Blend i know of that actually has this information on the label.

 

[KCJeep]

Yep trade secrets except for the Pennzoil which uses it as a marketing tool. Wemay you gonna do a used oil analysis when you run it? I'd like to see one as far as I know it's still a mystery add pack wise, would really rock if it's the same add pack as Pennzoil conventional with a 50% syn base.

Motorcraft is thought to be around 60% but otherwise it's pretty much a guessing game.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Does it matter since the definition of "synthetic" has been co-opted by AD agencies and does not mean group IV and or group V anymore.

 

[crazyoildude]

if they cost more nobody will buy them because its mostly about marketing oil is oil when it comes down to it ..........if one oil was better than all the rest they would sdvertise they are the best...

 

[901Memphis]

One thing is for sure, that the Maxlife is worth the extra 80 cents over white bottle.

 

[wemay]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Yep trade secrets except for the Pennzoil which uses it as a marketing tool. Wemay you gonna do a used oil analysis when you run it? I'd like to see one as far as I know it's still a mystery add pack wise, would really rock if it's the same add pack as Pennzoil conventional with a 50% syn base.

Motorcraft is thought to be around 60% but otherwise it's pretty much a guessing game.


Absolutely!

 

[Flareside302]

Doesn't matter, off the shelf synthetics are really all blends. As they're G-III's..

 

[volk06]

The new GTX blend and HM msds shows only 5% synthetic....

 

[BlueBird]

I called Valvoline to answer that very question a few weeks ago , the tech told me Maxlife 5w30 and Durablend 5w30 are 25% synthetic

 

[mannyhs]

Originally Posted By: BlueBird
I called Valvoline to answer that very question a few weeks ago , the tech told me Maxlife 5w30 and Durablend 5w30 are 25% synthetic


25% isn't too bad ... I thought it might be a lot less considering the modest increase in price over Valvoline conventional.

Funny how both Maxlife and Durablend are the same percentage and they're marketed as different products

 

[Ken2]

Keep in mind that there are different quality Group III "synthetic" base oils as well as different quality Group I & II conventional base oils. With a blend we don't know whether the lowest possible quality conventional oil plus just enough cheap Group III was used to just bring it into SN & GF-5 spec, or if top quality ingredients were used to produce a superior product.

Go by the experience you and others have with a product, not by the hype on the label.

 

[mannyhs]

Originally Posted By: Ken2
Keep in mind that there are different quality Group III "synthetic" base oils as well as different quality Group I & II conventional base oils. With a blend we don't know whether the lowest possible quality conventional oil plus just enough cheap Group III was used to just bring it into SN & GF-5 spec, or if top quality ingredients were used to produce a superior product.

Go by the experience you and others have with a product, not by the hype on the label.


That is true, I hadn't considered that

 

[tommygunn]

Originally Posted By: mannyhs


Funny how both Maxlife and Durablend are the same percentage and they're marketed as different products


They *are* different products, though. Maxlife has extra additives for seal conditiong that are useful in a high mileage car.

Just like the full synthetic version of Maxlife is not the same as Synpower.

Also, aren't even most "conventional" oils synthetic blends now?

MC is said to be 60% syn

We should start a list!
MC 60%
Pennzoil Dexos 50% (Pennzoil Gold is probably the same thing)
Maxlife 25%
Durablend 25%

 

[stchman]

From what I see of oils on the shelf, synthetic blends are not that much cheaper than full synthetics, so why bother?

 

[mannyhs]

I think Valvoline probably has the most 'comprehensive' line-up of oils. I can't think of any other brand that has so many different options - it's almost confusing

Too bad many of their offerings aren't readily seen on the shelves. I've never seen the Dura Blend, Maxlife Syn, NextGen Maxlife Syn online or in store at places like Walmart and Kmart.

I second the list idea!

 

[stchman]

The Walmart in my area has

SynPower
MaxLife Full Synthetic
MaxLife Synthetic Blend
NextGen Conventional

They don't have NextGen Full Synthetic.

 

[wemay]

Originally Posted By: stchman
From what I see of oils on the shelf, synthetic blends are not that much cheaper than full synthetics, so why bother?


WALMART near me:

Pennzoil blend $17
Pennzoil Platinum $25
Quaker State Ultimate Durability $23

I can get a quality filter for the difference. Worth it to me since at a 5k mile oci (maximum allowed by Hyundai), i won't extract the extended oci benefits of a full syn.