Valvoline Extended Protection HM vs Mobil 1 ESP?

[hotpancakes]

Hi everyone. I have a 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R with ~60k miles. So far, I've narrowed down my oil selection to:

1) Valvoline Extended Protection High-Mileage 5W-30
2) Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30

Assuming price is the same and OCI of 6-8k miles, which is the better oil, particularly for short trips?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BrendanC]

ESP is fine oil but i am partial to Valvoline EP HM

 

[hotpancakes]

Holy cow, didn't even realize the thread below mine is pretty much my doppelganger! Same car, same oil decision (almost). In that case, I'll refine my question to simply ask which is the better short trip oil?

 

[kschachn]

Those two aren’t in the same class. No match with things such as manufacturer approvals or HT/HS.

I thought your criteria was the most durable container?

 

[Al]

Valvoline

 

[Patman]

ESP is the far better oil and it’s not even close. Just look at the manufacturers approvals that it has and that tells you everything you need to know.

 

[KCJeep]

ESP is fine oil but i am partial to Valvoline EP HM

Me too.

 

[dkryan]

Hi everyone. I have a 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R with ~60k miles. So far, I've narrowed down my oil selection to:

1) Valvoline Extended Protection High-Mileage 5W-30
2) Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30

Assuming price is the same and OCI of 6-8k miles, which is the better oil, particularly for short trips?

Thanks in advance!

Curiously enough, what oil have you been using up until now and at what OCI?

 

[ChrisD46]

In your post you mention 6K to 8K OCI’s and short trips … Ouch ! Consider cutting that OCI back to 3K to 4K with your synthetic oil of choice . More and more posters here are seeing deposits running 5K + mile OCI’s which I am beginning to believe is part of the issue with using most resource conserving donut seal synthetic oils in the USA causing varnish and sludge . Also consider pulling that PCV valve out every 3rd or 4th OCI and give the PCV internals a shot of brake cleaner and a good shake , wipe the outside then reinstall . On my Hyundai it’s less than a 5 minute job . As for oil , I’m on a M1 0W30 ESP kick of late and the engine seems to do well on that oil . I also like that if I have to romp on the accelerator to merge onto the interstate well past 4,000 RPM’s the ESP oil keeps the engine from sounding noisy / tinny like it did on thinner oils .

 

[hotpancakes]

Curiously enough, what oil have you been using up until now and at what OCI?

It's a family member's car that I'll likely be taking over soon. 6k factory intervals, all at dealer.

 

[dkryan]

In your post you mention 6K to 8K OCI’s and short trips … Ouch ! Consider cutting that OCI back to 3K to 4K with your synthetic oil of choice . More and more posters here are seeing deposits running 5K + mile OCI’s which I am beginning to believe is part of the issue with using most resource conserving donut seal synthetic oils in the USA causing varnish and sludge . Also consider pulling that PCV valve out every 3rd or 4th OCI and give the PCV internals a shot of brake cleaner and a good shake , wipe the outside then reinstall . On my Hyundai it’s less than a 5 minute job .

Hmmmm……

With respect, ChrisD46, are you following the same advice with the vehicles cited in your signature?

Do you have any experience with the vehicle the OP cited, engine-wise?

 

[dkryan]

It's a family member's car that I'll likely be taking over soon. 6k factory intervals, all at dealer.

I’d like to think “Idemitsu” but with dealerships anything is a wild a** guess.

Personally, I think you’d be fine with either oil.

 

[hotpancakes]

I’d like to think “Idemitsu” but with dealerships anything is a wild a** guess.

Personally, I think you’d be fine with either oil.

Ha, I'm guessing the dealer used cheapest available oil. Initially, I'll be doing 4x OCIs of Valvoline Restore and Protect, followed by one of the two oils in my initial post along with a Purolator Boss filter, probably at 6k OCI.

 

[dkryan]

Ha, I'm guessing the dealer used cheapest available oil. Initially, I'll be doing 4x OCIs of Valvoline Restore and Protect, followed by one of the two oils in my initial post along with a Purolator Boss filter, probably at 6k OCI.

Good to know!

Are you going 6k mile OCIs on the VRP for 4 oil changes?

If so, at that point, I will double down on either oil being fine.

 

[hotpancakes]

Good to know!

Are you going 6k mile OCIs on the VRP for 4 oil changes?

If so, at that point, I will double down on either oil being fine.

Yes, 6k OCIs for VRP and either EP HM or M1 ESP.

 

[wlk]

Yes, 6k OCIs for VRP and either EP HM or M1 ESP.

I'd go with the V EP HM, I was always a Valvoline fan growing up and the EP was super quiet in my Expedition's 5.4l. Honestly the EP was the quietest out of any oil I ran in it when I owned it.
Mobil is fine, good approvals and all but I'd go Valvoline.

 

[RobbS]

I'm a long time M1 EP fanboy. I think it is a superior oil. To be trusted in inopportune times.

 

[Durdude]

Supertech Syn HM has entered the chat.

 

[facility1]

the Valvoline 5w-30 R&P would be a good choice. or Royal Purple HMX 5w-30 if you want to step out into something new here,,,,though many good choices, providing you keep your oci sensible like 5k with short trips maybe good. if you want longer oci Amsoil makes fine products too.

 

[rumcapital23]

ESP