my 2000 Dodge Caravan? I asked this question a few weeks ago but could not find my old thread for some reason. Anyway, I aske about this and eas told by several to just stick w/regular Val All Climate, but I still wonder if any of you think my van may be better protected using the bland? It gets a combination of short trips around town of up to 5 miles, sometims even less such as 1 mile in extremes of all temps. And it is our highway veh as well. But most of the time it is driven in town under hars driving conditions. What I was told is that conventional oil is so much more advanced now days that I wouldn't see much of a difference, but Castrol blend and Valvoline's blend talk about how it will protect better under short trip driving and various harsh driving conditions. Is there any bit of an edge to be gained with regard to protections by using a blend in our van?
Valvoline All Climate or Val Durablend in
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Depends on your OCI....but I like Durablend...it's shown some great UOAs in the past, while AC just shows 'adequate' UOAs...
I've seen it on sale numerous times for $2/quart, if you can get it near that price, there's no reason not to spring for the blend, IMO...
Trop-Artic is another great synth blend that's available at Wal-Mart for $1.68/qt... By all means grab that if it's available near you. It's a fantastic deal and I'm sure your van won't know the difference between that and the Durablend!
I've seen it on sale numerous times for $2/quart, if you can get it near that price, there's no reason not to spring for the blend, IMO...
Trop-Artic is another great synth blend that's available at Wal-Mart for $1.68/qt... By all means grab that if it's available near you. It's a fantastic deal and I'm sure your van won't know the difference between that and the Durablend!
drewjp, thank you for the resonse..much apreciated.
What I want to know though, is will my van notice a difference between a conventional oil vs a blend under harsh driving conditions. Let's say I change either one every 3mo/3k, will I still gain an edge in protectin using a blend over conventional?
What I want to know though, is will my van notice a difference between a conventional oil vs a blend under harsh driving conditions. Let's say I change either one every 3mo/3k, will I still gain an edge in protectin using a blend over conventional?
Use durablend
wifes Toyota v6 has had a steady diet of Valvoline AC and is now at 99000 so I am switching to Valvoline Max life because it's only $2 more for 5 qts at Chinamart. 5000 OCI. No consumption no leaks no problems runs great. My engine expert tells me to flush at 100k with rislone for 1000 miles then do the switch. I really like the valvoline products.
Triple_Se7en
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Because it's always a guessing game with oil bottlers - to keep us guessing how much synthetic is in every syn-blend jug, well I've come to the conclusion that when I want a syn-blend OCI, I will blend my own at a hypothetical 66-34% ratio. That means if the crankcase holds 4-1/2 quarts, I will use 3 quarts of conventional -- 1-1/2 quarts of synthetic.
It's pretty easy math to figure any crankcase size. If you become displeased with whatever brand you pick out, just use what's remaining to top-off until it's gone. My rule of thumb with synthetics is to stay with the same brand name and oil weight when doing your own blending.
It's pretty easy math to figure any crankcase size. If you become displeased with whatever brand you pick out, just use what's remaining to top-off until it's gone. My rule of thumb with synthetics is to stay with the same brand name and oil weight when doing your own blending.
Use whatever is on sale bud, and prosper.
No need to be brand loyal to Vavoline, or any other oil company.
They will all serve your engine well.
No need to be brand loyal to Vavoline, or any other oil company.
They will all serve your engine well.
Question still not answered: Is there any real world benefit to using a blend over a conventional? Also, why is the price point so retarded when it comes to blends. Most blends cost around 19 dollars for 5 qts. If you are spending 19 dollars, it would make one wonder why you don't just splurge and spend the extra 3 or 4 bucks for a full synthetic like Mobil 1.
Motorcraft semi synthetic is 10 dollars and change for a 5 quart jug at walmart.
No, you probably won't notice any difference. In the winter, the Durablend will make cold starts easier on your engine, and you could go to 5000 miles each change without losing much confidence in the oil...
If it were me, I'd use the Durablend.
I'll take Maxlife over both Durablend and All Climate.
Me too. Max Life is a blend although it is not marketed as such. As I recall, generally better UOA's than Durablend.
Triple_Se7en
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Even though it's not made public, I think all high mileasge oils have the same amount of synthetic as Valvoline Maxlife. The last Ashland breakdown of Maxlife that I found on the internet is from 2002. Now five years later, oils have undergione a big change from just exiting the SJ oils of that era around the year 2000 or-so. We've since gone SL - then SM since. Poster TallPaul has still to offer a real tech name that boasts Maxlife has some Group IV in it.
I've had plenty of techs give me false information over the phone and/or by annonymous email.
I've had plenty of techs give me false information over the phone and/or by annonymous email.
MSDS sheets are required by OSHA for workplace safety & the MSDS of a motor oil is really not linked to API license requirements in any way.
If the MSDS sheet for Maxlife dates back to 2002 and the disclosures for chemical content, physical properties, and handling procedures are still accurate, then Ashland/Valvoline has met the OSHA reporting requirements.
Here is a Maxlife MSDS for the 4 & 5 qt jug package that is print dated 8-19-05. It still indicates Maxlife is 12-22% PAO.
http://msds.walmartstores.com/cache/28088_1.pdf
All of us that use MSDS info on a regular basis at our workplace understand how important it is that this information to be accurate for safety & health reasons.
As Blue99 stated, the MSDS shows the PAO for Maxlife. The one that is in question is Maxlife Synthetic as it's MSDS does not show PAO, yet techs have told me by phone it is in there.
Ive been running 5-30 durablend for over 10 years, really love it in my 01 caravan sport. Use a good filter (wix, puralator, napa,) and you will have a great combo.. It will keep the engine clean, when my valve covers and seals started to leak I went to maxlife and it works great... Good Luck.
Rick
Rick
this thread is four years old.....
i love all valvoline oils tho
well... im not sure about nextgen yet, but its probably a good oil
i love all valvoline oils tho
well... im not sure about nextgen yet, but its probably a good oil
i had some great uoas on both of my old sonatas using durablend so i just put it in my other two cars.i will send them both into blackstone this fall.
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