Valvoline-How do they compare?

[Dually]

I myself like Castrol products.They make the products(Syntec/GTX/ATF+4)that I need for my 2006 Jeep.I was wondering how Valvoline compares to Mobil/Castrol/Havoline and Pennzoil? Valvoline gets very little discussion as a oil contender.How do their conventional and synthetics perform?Thanks Joe

 

[Triple_Se7en]

You need to try it for a couple OCIs. Some engines prefer certain brands & viscosities. Take a used oil analysis afterwards & compare it to your Castrol used oil analysis.

 

[RacerE7773]

I've used all the alphabet in oils except for the Q

. I got tired of all the politics of racing sponsorships, and thus went from oil brand to oil brand.

I currently use Castrol also. I am going to be using Pennzoil regular 5w30 as well as Castrol, so I generally don't care anymore if they sponsor this team or that team anymore. I will just stick with the above two brands and be done with it.

 

[hominid7]

From what i've read, and in my personal experience, as far as conventional oils go, Castrol and Valvoline are very similar in additives and performace, both being among the best. Mobil conventional products are decent formulations, typically using a higher moly count than some others. Havoline recently went through some changes in their formulation and the verdict is still out on it. Pennzoil seems to continue to turn in good results for people in many applications. In used oil testing Pennzoils cousin QuakerState also seems to be turning in some very good numbers.

Any differences however seem to be very small. All SM rated oils seem to be usable in most applications that call for them. Even store brand oils seem to do a good job. It's harder and harder to find a 'bad' oil these days.

Having said that ive also found that certain cars seem to "like" certain oils better than others. I'm assuming this has to do with finding the viscosity that is just right for your car. Some 5w30's are thicker than others, thiner, likewise with 10w30, etc...

 

[DINO_NO]

I just started using pennzoil excusively, IMO it's a great oil and has good results for its price. Just stocked up with 12 quarts.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I've been using Valvoline in my Altima before I sold it and now in my Integra. It's seemed okay so far, plus it's always been what the oil change shops had in stock. I know my parents have been using Valvoline as long as they can remember as well.

 

[Syntec-Man]

valvoline is a really good oil imo. It is good for 5000K oci (the dino) i would not go further without a used oil analysis

 

[TallPaul]

Here's how I rate Valvoline PCMOs:

For synthetic, use Maxlife synthetic unless you want heavier than 30 weight, then use Synpower because Maxlife synthetic is not available in the heavier grades in the US(yet?).

For Blend use Maxlife. I think it is better than Durablend.

For conventional, use Maxlife if you can get it on sale, else All Climate.

 

[Merkava_4]

 

[QuickSilver]

im using valvoline all climate - they changed their name to now be "premium conventional" for their dino. I've always liked theirs the best - have also tried pennzoil, castrol, quaker state, amsoil. my car(s) have liked valvoline the best.

gonna switch to maxlife when i hit 75000. or maybe sooner if for sure there will be no warranty issues for using it before 75000

 

[TallPaul]

Maxlife Synthetic is only $3.39 a quart at Advance Auto this month. That is less than I see regular Maxlife in most stores.

Ever notice how the retail price of Maxlife Synthetic is a lot lower than other synthetics, including Synpower?

They dropped the name "All Climate" a couple label changes ago, but it still says something like "..all climate protection.." on the back. I like the new label "Premium Conventional."