Thinking of going back to Valvoline MaxLife

[RegDunlop]

Used Mobil 1 HM last change, Mobil Super HM change before that and MaxLife for 3 changes before that.

I wanted the extra protection of full synthetic for last winter ( That never arrived we missed winter here in NYC) so I wouldn't have to worry about changing the oil in the cold and snow. So I changed it in late October with the M1 HM and M1 filter.

Anyway, now M1 HM is too much $$$ for this car, a work car that I occasionally use for 2 or 3 hour trips to the country, but mostly it sits in traffic with me on the way to work.

It is a 17 year old 3800 with 110,000 and when it was on MaxLife it barely leaked any oil, since the summer rolled around the M1 HM has been dripping out slowly but surely.

So now I am all set to go back to MaxLife, but Quaker State Defy is nagging at my brain.

I never trusted Pennzoil products , but after using Pennzoil Ultra in my good car last OCI I now think it is a good product.

What would you do?

Defy or MaxLife ? (the defy is $1 cheaper at WM)

I use 10-30, as that is what is on the oil cap.

 

[dave1251]

1 dollar less. That gets my vote. But look out for deals of Maxlife Nextgen. My local WM has it on closeout for 3.00 USD a quart.

 

[Since1941]

I say NextGen Maxlife!

 

[AlienBug]

Hmmmm. I prefer Maxlife, but given the choice of Maxlife or Defy AND a candy bar.

Hmmmm.

 

[LeakySeals]

Defy is the latest craze because it supposedly has high levels of zzdp. Never been proven. I say keep the M1 HM, dump the expensive filter.

 

[N7Quarian]

Maxlife synthetic.

 

[Donald]

I seriously hope you are not deciding on an oil by which one is cheaper than the other by $1.00? Double yes, but not $1.00.

I say PP or PU.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: RegDunlop
when it was on MaxLife it barely leaked any oil


Stick with what works.

 

[jjcom]

I'd go with MaxLife seeing as you've already had good results with it. I've had good luck with Maxlife lineup in the past, so I have hard time saying to go to something else. The Defy I'm sure is a good oil, I just have no first hand experience with it.

 

[daves87rs]

Vote for here for maxlife syn...

 

[afoulk]

I'm using Defy in my wifes 96 explorer right now with 137,000miles on it. I use 5,000mile oci's on it, and shes 2,000miles into it right now, so its to early to tell if it has affected consumption at all. Usually at about the 4,000mile mark, I have to add 1qt., so we will see. There are no external leaks on it right now.
I'm also using it in my lawnmower. While it hasn't seemed to curb the consumption in it, it has stopped the leak at my crankshaft seal. It has a techumsu engine on it and It gives a puff of blue smoke at start up, so its either valve guides or possibly the oil control ring, I've heard of those wearing out prematurely on these engines. I have not tryed maxlife in either engine yet though, may go that route after a few oil changes of Defy to see which one works better.

 

[4x4chevydude]

I would say the Maxlife or Maxlife Nextgen you can find deals on both right now that make them cheaper then QS plus I have always used Valvoline products for the most part and they serve me well

 

[zerosoma]

MAX













LIFE

 

[lexus114]

ALL









RITEY THEN!!

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Defy is the latest craze because it supposedly has high levels of zzdp. Never been proven. I say keep the M1 HM, dump the expensive filter.


QS Defy has about 1,000PPM of Zinc and Phosphorous that has been proven, which is about the same amount of M-1HM. Now if that does not meet your definition of "high levels" that is another story.

 

[RegDunlop]

The reason I hesitate to return to maxlife is because of the switch from SM to SN maxlife.

I had good results with SM version and not sure SN maxlife will be as good.

The defy is SL ( as is M1 HM).


Is nextgen maxlife a synthetic blend like original maxlife?

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: RegDunlop
I had good results with SM version and not sure SN maxlife will be as good.

The defy is SL ( as is M1 HM).


While both MaxLife and Defy fall into what I'd consider high mileage oils, it's possible, actually probably, that Ashland and SOPUS had different targets. MaxLife has been, at least in my experience, rated with the latest API and ILSAC certifications. It worked great in an old engine for slowing leaks, and seemed to handle fuel dilution quite well. Other HM oils didn't seem to do as well with the leaks.

Defy seems to be marketed towards those who want a higher ZDDP level in a decently priced PCMO. I think it's nice to have the option. If one wants an SN/GF-5 HM oil, one can choose MaxLife (or Mobil Super 2000 up here). If one wants something with an older specification, Defy or other choices are available.

 

[Zako2]

Originally Posted By: RegDunlop


Is nextgen maxlife a synthetic blend like original maxlife?


Valvoline NextGen Maxlife is supposed to be exactly the same as regular Maxlife. Valvoline NextGen is supposed to have the same properties as Valvoline Premium conventional. The regular Maxlife is a synthetic blend, like it used to be, except that it is not advertized now. This information comes from Valvoline QA session answers on this web site.

 

[tstep]

Maxlife NextGen -- only because it has proven to successfully address your specific problem in your specific vehicle, no guessing about the outcome.

Maxlife NextGen is $3.49 a quart and $20 rebate on 5 qts (until Aug 20 at Autozone), I cannot see how it could get any better. Assuming you have Autozones nearby. 5w30 and 10w-30 are usually stocked.

 

[Nickdfresh]

I just wish I could find the full syn version of MaxLife. I've seen a few bottles of it in the past few years, but never enough for a full change...