I was using Valvoline when I discovered this web site, and after checking out the VOAs and UOAs here I decided to switch to Chevron.
Why was I using Valvoline? Well, I knew that at least in the past it was extremely popular in auto racing. Of course, what is good for a race car is not necessarily good for an ordinary car or truck. There was the advertising about Valvoline being extremely popular among mechanics. Now, that is advertising, but there really are a lot of mechanics who use Valvoline. I have met several. And if you walk into a NAPA or CarQuest store, their store brand oil is actually Valvoline, to the best of my knowledge.
But if you check out the VOAs and UOAs at this web site there is no getting around the fact that motor oils like Chevron, Pennzoil, and Castrol seem to do better. At least they do better in the VOAs and UOAs. You have to look at the information and make your decision based on what you think the facts are.
For 3000 mile oil changes, it may make no difference whatsoever, as long as you are using a brand name oil. But for me, I think I would just feel better if I knew that one brand might be better for more miles then another.
I want to like Valvoline. It is widely available-certainly more so then Chevron. But if Chevron is truly better then Valvoline, why not use Chevron?