sorry if this has been discussed before but, is it thought on here that valvoline euro oils are a “tier” below oils such as the Mobil 1 esp line and similar Pennzoil euro oils? I don’t really see any postings on here about the valvoline euro oils, just wondering if you all think of valvoline as a whole as lesser quality than some other brands. Thanks.
Valvoline compared to others
- Thread starter skippermatt
- Start date
I'd say it's two ways to the same direction...in short not really but it depends on what application you're using it in. As far as I've seen the Valvoline Euro oil is good & I'd not hesitate to use it. They're sometimes a bit less stocked than the other big brands & cost plays a factor of course.
My view is that Valvoline euro oils are probably less discussed because compared to Mobil 1 ESP, Pennzoil Platinum Euro, or Castrol, the Valvoline euro oils seem to have less shelf presence around me. For example I've never seen them at my local Walmart.
I have seen a few dusty bottles in auto parts stores usually for high $/qt, and so it's never been particularly appealing. So then I'm not going to be posting about buying it, using it, or any resulting used oil analysis.
Now maybe that's just around here (North Carolina) but I don't think so.
I have seen a few dusty bottles in auto parts stores usually for high $/qt, and so it's never been particularly appealing. So then I'm not going to be posting about buying it, using it, or any resulting used oil analysis.
Now maybe that's just around here (North Carolina) but I don't think so.
I wonder if it's a question of which one greatly exceeds the specific Euro approvals vs just meets it. ESP is one of the only off-shelf oils I've seen that contains some group V base oil. Some of the other Euro oils seem to take the dry approach. Not sure if this applies to Valvoline's Euro oils or not.
Patman
Staff member
In all honesty I have never really thought about Valvoline too much other than when they came out with Maxlife (that’s what I was using back in the early days of this forum) and then again when they came out with Valvoline Restore and Protect. They always did seem like a lower tier oil to me compared with Mobil 1. But they definitely have a winner right now with Valvoline Restore and Protect, I just don’t think the rest of their stuff is worth considering.
I'd like to think it's a good oil and it just doesn't get the shelf space, user reviews and analysis like the other BIG players.
It's often discussed that Mobil 1 is not a "great" oil but it gets a lot of "Talk". Its a good oil that serves it's purpose.
Valvoline was never on my radar until it went on sale. Didn't even know it was available (5w30 full syn) Then I researched it and found great VOA and user reviews. It worked out great for me and I'll continue to use it.
So I did try it and I wouldn't hesitate for you to do some more research and even try it.
It's often discussed that Mobil 1 is not a "great" oil but it gets a lot of "Talk". Its a good oil that serves it's purpose.
Valvoline was never on my radar until it went on sale. Didn't even know it was available (5w30 full syn) Then I researched it and found great VOA and user reviews. It worked out great for me and I'll continue to use it.
So I did try it and I wouldn't hesitate for you to do some more research and even try it.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
As others have said, the Euro isn't visible in stores. The Valvoline low SAPS MB229.51 was the darling of early OM642 Mercedes owners due to price. Problem with it was that no one carried it except NAPA and then they weren't always able to order it. The markings for approvals was unclear between the different names Valvoline used, and then they up and dropped the MB approval, raised the SAPS, but didn't change the name. Pentosin was easy to get at the local chains like Autozone, Fuchs was relatively inexpensive online, but Mobil 1 ESP 229.51 was only available at the dealer. I just used Pentosin until Mobil 1 ESP 229.52 became available everywhere.
Valvoline has marketing and advertising issues with the Euros.
Valvoline has marketing and advertising issues with the Euros.
What makes an oil like EP a lower tier compared to Mobil 1? (Not snarky)
I'll let you know in about 6 months, and then again next November. No, Valvoline doesn't get the hype that most oils like Mobil1 does, nor does it have the big "Mercedes Benz, Partners in Performance" floor mats!
I just put 5 quarts of Valvoline 5W-40 (229.5) and an additional quart of Valvoline "Restore and Protect - 5W-30 in my 2018 E300.
I've already seen it remove chunks of carbon from my rings, as well as a cleaner looking engine through the valve cover fill hole.
One drawback to the Valvoline brand from my personal experience is that the 0W-40 Euro oil is only available in 1 quart bottles. I would have preferred a 5 quart jug of 0w-40 + 1 qt of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 for this OCI.
I just put 5 quarts of Valvoline 5W-40 (229.5) and an additional quart of Valvoline "Restore and Protect - 5W-30 in my 2018 E300.
I've already seen it remove chunks of carbon from my rings, as well as a cleaner looking engine through the valve cover fill hole.
One drawback to the Valvoline brand from my personal experience is that the 0W-40 Euro oil is only available in 1 quart bottles. I would have preferred a 5 quart jug of 0w-40 + 1 qt of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 for this OCI.
How do you know it's from the rings as opposed to piston tops or the combustion chamber?
Because it was in the oil filter. Don't tell me you haven't seen the pictures I posted.
I have, and I'm not arguing about the carbon. I was only asking how you knew it was from the rings.
I find carbon in the filters on my old 1MZ-FE, but I have rarely (and not recently) used a Valvoline product, and not Valvoline Restore and Protect.
If it was from the piston tops or combustion chamber, those particles would have gone out the exhaust, not into the oil. Especially since this is an engine with 21,000 miles on it with no signs of oil burning in any situation.
Patman
Staff member
Technically speaking I don’t have an answer for that, it was always just my perception over the years that Valvoline wasn’t one of the better oils.
Well I guess that must be where the carbon is from that I find in my filters as well even though I have not used a Valvoline product.
I always considered a Valvoline a top tier oil. Back the early 1980s I worked in an automotive machine shop. on one of my layoff from the areospace industry. Most of the engines @ heads we got were 1960s and 1970s stuff back than. You see a lot of things working on engines. Valvoline was one of the better oils back than from what I've seen. I run valvoline in my C6 corvette.
Maybe. What oil are you using? I've used several Ravenol oils since I've owned this car, and though I don't drive much, previous inspections of the filter have not shown any carbon particles.
That oil change, as I mentioned in those posts, was Castrol 5W-40 Euro, which I don't recall ever being associated with engine or ring pack cleaning.
Not a big market, but VR1 is quite popular amon classic owners