val. maxlife synthetic 10w30

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I went to autozone this morning and got the last 12 quarts they had of the max life full synthetic for 2.00 each( what a deal ehhh!)its the SL version 10w30, and it says recommended for engines specifying API SL/SJ,ACEA A3/B3/B4,BMWLL01/98,VW502.00/505.00,MB229.3/229.1 Now is this oil a good choice for my 1998 f150 4.6 engine?(ford says 5w20) Im using right know 5w30 penn truck and SUV(semiblend)will the maxlife do good in my truck been a 10w30? i hear that synthetics run thinner than regular dino oils is that right?and if i do use it in the f150 how long?(miles)by the way my truck has 88k. tks
 
"recommended for" a spec does not equal "meets" a spec. Good oil anyway.
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[ February 05, 2005, 02:40 AM: Message edited by: Audi Junkie ]
 
98 4.6 Modulars originally used 5-30. Once Ford made 5-20 the standard, its backwards compatible (Like Merc V in pre 98 470RW's).

10-30 should be no problem in a 4.6 in a truck.

My 4.6 in a '96 Vic has used 10-30 dino before with no problem.

This stuff should work great!
 
Audie,

Per the 9-2-04 MaxLife Syn spec sheet on my desk:

Approvals -
ACEA A3
B3
B4
BMW Longlife 98
VW 502.00,505.00
DaimlerChrysler MB 229.3

These are the actual spec's, not the word games of "blended to meet performance levels of" or "recommended for".
 
Aztec12, it may help condition valve stem seats in the 4.6 also. It wont cure them if they cause oil consumption, but may help them from wearing out as quick.

Ford's Modular 4.6's have a reputation of oil consuption due to valve stem seats degrading.

My '96 Vic does.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Audi Junkie:
"recommended for" a spec does not equal "meets" a spec. Good oil anyway.
wink.gif


Yep, the Max Synthetic 10w30 is a great oil, esp for $2. I take the 10w30 over the 5w30 as 10w30 has NOACK 8.31%, whereas the 5w30 has NOACK of 11%. Now as for MEETING the specs, check this excellent oil out (not only meets the BMW spec, but a more up to date BMW spec):

SM, SL
ACEA A3/B3/B4
Mercedes Benz 229.3
VW 502.00 and 505
BMW Long Life 01
Zinc 1020 ppm
Phosphorus 900 ppm
Calcium 3300 ppm
It's Valvoline Synpower 5w40!

Too bad that one was not for $2, aye?

Still, I will be running the Maxlife Synthetic. It's plenty good enough for my purposes (even has lower NOACK than the 5w40 Synpower).
smile.gif


Nailed me 16 qts Friday. Gotta look for more.
 
I'm going to try and find some more of this oil ,everything im hearing is good so far.i got other 2 stores to check for this oil.maybe i can also tryit in my 1997 grandcherokee 4.0 i always use 10w30 in it so the maxlife synthetic should be great for this engine also right?(10w30). My main question was the 4.6 f150 since ford wants 5w20 in it.but from what i hear the maxlife synthetic 10w30 should work good in it. thanks for all the input.
 
I have acouple of questions regarding the Valvoline Maxlife synthetic. One of the cars I maintain is still under warranty. I noticed the Maxlife synthetic doesn't display the API certification starburst on the label but is rated SL and adresses the various specifications it meets (A3,B3,B4 etc).Would it be a mistake using this in a car under warranty sinc it doesn't display the starburst? I have several of the Pep Boys coupons for the half price Mobil 1 and could also pick up the $2 Havoline synthetic. Would either one of these be a better choice in protecting the engine and or the warranty? Thanks.

[ February 15, 2005, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: farrarfan1 ]
 
quote:

Originally posted by farrarfan1:
I have acouple of questions regarding the Valvoline Maxlife synthetic. One of the cars I maintain is still under warranty. I noticed the Maxlife synthetic doesn't display the API certification starburst on the label but is rated SL and adresses the various specifications it meets (A3,B3,B4 etc).Would it be a mistake using this in a car under warranty sinc it doesn't display the starburst? I have several of the Pep Boys coupons for the half price Mobil 1 and could also pick up the $2 Havoline synthetic. Would either one of these be a better choice in protecting the engine and or the warranty? Thanks.

If you are concerned about meeting warranty requirements, I would bet the Maxlife is fine, but since it does not have the starburst, perhaps the dealership could claim you violated warranty, since in all likelyhood the warranty requires starburst (my guess). I should think the Havoline is fine stuff and if I didn't have 32 quarts of regular Maxlife for my motorhome, I would seriously consider the Havoline synth at that price. Can't go wrong with the Mobil 1 either. Also it seems to me that the Maxlife does not say it "meets" those specs, but that it can be used where those specs are called for (I take it that it meets the specs by Valvos testing, but they did not go for the full certification).
 
TallPaul you're right, it says "recomended for" which is open to interpretation. The lack of the starburst really disappoints me since I am one of the few "team Valvoline" members and I always look for you're response when I see a Valvoline topic and reasons to keep using Valvoline.Probably flip a coin to decide between the Havoline and Mobil 1.
 
quote:

Originally posted by farrarfan1:
... I always look for you're response when I see a Valvoline topic and reasons to keep using Valvoline. Probably flip a coin to decide between the Havoline and Mobil 1.

Thanks. Both deals are too good to pass up. But I am getting the impression that the new Mobil Clean 7500 for $2.18 at Walmart is a great oil. Some suggest even a synthetic in the legal sense.
 
I popped into an Autozone today at lunch that I had not hit up for $2 MaxLife yet.

I saw about 8 cases (6 bottles ea) in an end-cap display and I just about started panting. Noticed no price, so I asked the clerk how much they were charging. He scanned the case and said $31.60!!!
confused.gif


I told him I had purchased a bunch of this same oil at 4 or 5 different Autozones in the past 10 days, for $2, and he said "We'd never sell synthetic oil for $2/quart".

Found 5 more quarts for $2 at an AZ about 3 miles away...hehehe. Thought about stopping back in and showing him the receipt, but figured that would be a pretty jerky thing to do...besides, he doesn't set the price.


Tim
 
quote:

Originally posted by Tim:
Thought about stopping back in and showing him the receipt...

All the AZs I have been to that were not running the sale didn't care about whether it was on sale elsewhere. Their computer told them it was $4.99 and that was it.

Hey, the one I did get 18 qts Max Synth 10w30 at has Synpower 20w50 on a rack up front with a big Clearance tag on each bottle, but priced $4.59. I asked the guy, "what is the deal, this says clearance, but it is the normal price." The reply after price checking it was that it is not on clearance.
pat.gif
Not that I want 20w50, but for a buck or two I might buy a couple bottles.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Tim:
I popped into an Autozone today at lunch that I had not hit up for $2 MaxLife yet.

I saw about 8 cases (6 bottles ea) in an end-cap display and I just about started panting. Noticed no price, so I asked the clerk how much they were charging. He scanned the case and said $31.60!!!
confused.gif


I told him I had purchased a bunch of this same oil at 4 or 5 different Autozones in the past 10 days, for $2, and he said "We'd never sell synthetic oil for $2/quart".

Found 5 more quarts for $2 at an AZ about 3 miles away...hehehe. Thought about stopping back in and showing him the receipt, but figured that would be a pretty jerky thing to do...besides, he doesn't set the price.


Tim


I have seen it at a few AZ in the $1 clearance. I passed the first time I saw it (only 3 bottles anyway) and got 4 of the 6 the second time.
1 was in Katy, the other in Deer Park, not sure what part of town your in.
 
I hit the stores on Bellaire, Dairy Ashford, Gessner, Hwy 6 North, 1960 and Jones Road.

The clerks are getting to know me on sight!


Tim
 
BTW, I've hit all the above stores in the last two days and have not seen any more Valvoline MaxLife synthetic for $2. The store on Dairy Ashford still wants $5!

I have had price checks done on M1 at all these stores...have yet to find any discounted
frown.gif


Did score on 50 quarts of Havoline the last few days...I gotta stop this before my wife starts wondering.

Too late....
grin.gif


Tim
 
I would like to run this oil in my Passat 1.8T. Both 5w30 & 10w30 has the VW 502.00 approval..but dunno which to run it in the engine. VW loves thicker oils generally in the xw40 range.

So I'd like to ask VW/Audi guys here(and oil gurus in the know)...between the two which weight Maxlife Syn would you guys prefer to run in your engines? Which is actually thicker and more robust esp in the additive dept? I also saw the msds of 5w30 Max Syn..and is somehow a little thicker Cst at 100C vs 10w30.
confused.gif
 
IIRC the Havoline Synthetic 5w30 is almost half a cSt thicker than the 10w30. I think it is just a matter of how much VII they put in.

All else equal I would expect a 10w30 to have a thicker (more robust) base oil than a 5w30, since the 10w30 does not have to flow quite as well in cold.

Maxlife synthetic 30 weights are aroun 11.7 cSt, whereas the regular Maxlife 30 wts are around 10.5 cSt. Strange.
 
quote:

Originally posted by vwoom:
I would like to run this oil in my Passat 1.8T. Both 5w30 & 10w30 has the VW 502.00 approval..but dunno which to run it in the engine. VW loves thicker oils generally in the xw40 range.

So I'd like to ask VW/Audi guys here(and oil gurus in the know)...between the two which weight Maxlife Syn would you guys prefer to run in your engines? Which is actually thicker and more robust esp in the additive dept? I also saw the msds of 5w30 Max Syn..and is somehow a little thicker Cst at 100C vs 10w30.
confused.gif


vwoom,
My take is that you can run any grade you want as long as it meets VW502. I'll be running the 5w30 in the winter and the 10w30 in the summer. But if you are still under warranty, you might stick with 5w30 because the manual and the recent vw sludge warranty sheet lists only 5w30 or 0/5w-40 so if you have one of those by the book service advisors, stick with 5w30 for minimal hassle factor.

BTW, I'm not sure VW's "love thicker" oils apart from the oil burners like the V6 and the 2.0. The 1.8T doesn't have any consumption problems so I don't see any reason why it would prefer thicker. In fact, the A4 1.8T's (same engine as the Passat) comes factory filled with 0w-30.

[ February 19, 2005, 12:31 AM: Message edited by: VeeDubb ]
 
quote:

Originally posted by VeeDubb:
BTW, I'm not sure VW's "love thicker" oils apart from the oil burners like the V6 and the 2.0. The 1.8T doesn't have any consumption problems so I don't see any reason why it would prefer thicker. In fact, the A4 1.8T's (same engine as the Passat) comes factory filled with 0w-30.

Well, I've always thought that German Iron runs better/designed on running thicker oils.

My 1.8T now in an Auto-Rx rinse seems to behave better and is more subdued from NVH w/ Rotella 5w40(cSt 15.0 @ 100*C), as compared to my previous runs of Motul & Synpower 5w40. The Rotella happens to be the thickest 5w40 I had used so far in this engine.

Yes, it is reported that our 1.8Ts came out from Gyor on SLX 0w30 aka GC..a thick xw30 oil.

Re oil consumptions, I had read reports of it from 1.8T owners specifically from using M1 0w40..for some reason.
dunno.gif
 
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