Valvoline Restore and Protect skepticism

[ATex7239]

People on here like to refer to Kirkland oil as a lessor or lower tier oil. There is a post on here where the same driver in the same vehicle ran Mobil 1 5-30 for 5k miles then had the oil analyzed. Then he ran Kirkland 5-30 for 5k and analyzed it. He posted both reports. The different categories reported almost identical. If you hid the names, you couldn't tell them apart and might think it was the same oil. Now that doesn't tell us about sludge but it says a lot for Kirkland oil.

The question is not if Supertech or Kirkland are suitable oils. The question is are they suitable for your application/conditions.

Maybe, yes. Maybe, no. Maybe, maybe.

 

[tired]

People on here like to refer to Kirkland oil as a lessor or lower tier oil. There is a post on here where the same driver in the same vehicle ran Mobil 1 5-30 for 5k miles then had the oil analyzed. Then he ran Kirkland 5-30 for 5k and analyzed it. He posted both reports. The different categories reported almost identical. If you hid the names, you couldn't tell them apart and might think it was the same oil. Now that doesn't tell us about sludge but it says a lot for Kirkland oil.

As has been discussed here countless times, you can't use a $30 UOA to compare the relative qualities of oils.

 

[Patman]

The hilarious part to me is Valvoline went as far as to show multiple piston photos and even allowed LJJR into the lab and they talked about EVERYTHING other than what the actual ingredient was. And yet some still have a problem with it. LOLOL Can't make this up.....

Back in the days when GC was a big part of the discussion here we had a lot of people who refused to accept the fact that it was a very unique oil. We’re going through the exact same process again with VRP. People can’t believe that it actually does what it claims to do and like GC it uses a unique formula. Remember when a bunch of us chipped in and had Terry Dyson send a sample of GC out to a different lab that did an analysis that was more in depth and actually looked at what blend of base oils it was using? It’s too bad we couldn’t do that for VRP, although even with that more in depth expensive analysis it still might not help us figure out what mystery ingredient(s) it contains

 

[PontiacHO]

Can some of the engineers and scientists here explain how an oil cleans the tops of pistons? The intention of piston rings are to ensure sealing for compression, combustion, and minimize blow by and oil usage. How and where does this yet to be determined formula enter the combustion chamber? I’m a Valvoline fan but I’m not sold on any motor oil having “restorative” capabilities.

 

[Glenda W.]

Can some of the engineers and scientists here explain how an oil cleans the tops of pistons? The intention of piston rings are to ensure sealing for compression, combustion, and minimize blow by and oil usage. How and where does this yet to be determined formula enter the combustion chamber? I’m a Valvoline fan but I’m not sold on any motor oil having “restorative” capabilities.

It doesn’t clean the tops of the pistons.

 

[tired]

Back in the days when GC was a big part of the discussion here we had a lot of people who refused to accept the fact that it was a very unique oil. We’re going through the exact same process again with VRP. People can’t believe that it actually does what it claims to do and like GC it uses a unique formula. Remember when a bunch of us chipped in and had Terry Dyson send a sample of GC out to a different lab that did an analysis that was more in depth and actually looked at what blend of base oils it was using? It’s too bad we couldn’t do that for VRP, although even with that more in depth expensive analysis it still might not help us figure out what mystery ingredient(s) it contains

Do you have a link to that analysis? What was so unique about German Castrol?

 

[Patman]

Do you have a link to that analysis? What was so unique about German Castrol?

I’m not sure if it’s still on this forum or if Terry had the full report and just gave us a synopsis about it. It was so long ago. I can’t recall exactly what the base oil blend contained but I just remember it being something that nobody else was using at the time

 

[PWMDMD]

Can some of the engineers and scientists here explain how an oil cleans the tops of pistons? The intention of piston rings are to ensure sealing for compression, combustion, and minimize blow by and oil usage. How and where does this yet to be determined formula enter the combustion chamber? I’m a Valvoline fan but I’m not sold on any motor oil having “restorative” capabilities.

My understanding is it cleans around the rings, not the top of the piston. So for my Kia engine my hope is the R&P is cleaning everything south of the rings and fuel system cleaner everything north of the rings.

 

[Johnny248]

R&P from new is perfect for many. It will prevent a lot of headaches for under $30 at Wally.

100% agree. The engine oil does such a good job cleaning AND keeping ring lands clean. Perfect reason to use it in new/newer vehicles. Keep those things clean so you don't have to worry about getting to the point where now you need a fix or some sort. Piston soak, cleaners, etc.

 

[crashz]

Do you have a link to that analysis? What was so unique about German Castrol?

It was green and smelled like gummy bears. Was a thick 0w-30 that performed like a 40wt. Like VRP, it was a regular discussion point here. Lots of speculation and obsession, bordering on ridiculousness. Lots of fun.

My take on all of this is: its great. These things give us talking points and something silly to obsess over. After all, we are all on a very active forum about oil. Engine oil predominately. If it weren't for VRP what would we be discussing?

 

[Brian123]

This oil is pretty solid, but has definitely become a go-to for wishful thinkers and folks who have not faced the truth that their engine is clapped out. Go ahead and use it, but we need to get off the idea that it does more than clean up old engines a little bit. Also, need to call out folks who are suggesting that they should use it on brand new cars. That makes no sense, and, in fact there are better, cheaper oils holding manufacturer specifications readily available. The product has its place, for sure, but also seems to have folks drinking the Kool Ade.

I do not have the time to do the quote thing here; you use the word solid, wishful and truth, and call out. Everyone on this forum should be able to say use this VRP Oil on a new car. Let's get on to your comment about cheaper oils, and I agree with what you said to a certain extent about cheaper oils, depends on how long you want to keep the car. I also forgot the better comment, let's think about this, if every oil that had whatever approvals from the manufacture was better then why is there the need for VRP?

Let's not call out members for their opinions. This product from Valvoline is far beyond the Kool Ade comment, my only advice to you is to use this oil and then comment.

I will also put this out there, there is a member on here that I argued with and he is a mechanic, which I am not, he told me the most important thing with your engine is to keep the piston rings clean.

 

[Wireman1987]

Just another shelf filler. In my eyes at least. And won’t use it either

 

[PontiacHO]

It doesn’t clean the tops of the pistons.

Oh I know it can’t. The “cleaning pistons” comments are what I’m referring to. Wondering if the R&P fans realize it’s for piston ring lands….if that’s even possible.

 

[Glenda W.]

Oh I know it can’t. The “cleaning pistons” comments are what I’m referring to. Wondering if the R&P fans realize it’s for piston ring lands….if that’s even possible.

My oil consumption went from 3 quarts per 5k miles to 1/4 quart. So it’s possible.

 

[EllieMae94]

Don't disrespect the green bottle. How long exactly was QSFS run before you decided it caused the varnish?

Castrol used to be well known for varnish but the UOA's were great.

Any idea why it would cause varnish over other oils? Is it still known to do that? Was it the entire Castrol lineup or just certain formulations?

 

[Pablo]

I'm just sad we have yet another thread on it.

This and now we need a entire VRP sub-forum

 

[D.P.R.]

It was green and smelled like gummy bears. Was a thick 0w-30 that performed like a 40wt. Like VRP, it was a regular discussion point here. Lots of speculation and obsession, bordering on ridiculousness. Lots of fun.

My take on all of this is: its great. These things give us talking points and something silly to obsess over. After all, we are all on a very active forum about oil. Engine oil predominately. If it weren't for VRP what would we be discussing?

Exactly. I visit other automotive forums that barely have any new threads/posts. BITOG is a very active blog and has been gor a long time. Yes, some posts might be derivative even repetitive but at least we have someting new to read. Maybe even learn a few things.

 

[goblin]

Thus thread is pure clickbait, not skepticism.

 

[4WD]

This is part of the claim - all the way back to Ring Free and other marine products - cleaning the ring/ring land interface has been a challenge …

 

[ChrisD46]

Exactly. 100% engine/conditions dependent. R&P from new is perfect for many. It will prevent a lot of headaches for under $30 at Wally.

To blindly trust Supertech or many others in a new vehicle could prove to be very foolish….

Some may disagree - but I believe I may have created some piston / ring deposit issues in Hyundai / Kia engines running lesser oils such as QSUD , Magnatec and Kendall early in the engine life . As I learned more I moved up to PPPP and M1 oils but by then I’m sure carbon deposits had already set in . I believe the better M1 oils I settled on later kept new deposits from forming but can not be expected to clean carbon that was already there . If today someone asked what oil available locally to use in a new engine I would say : PUP , M1 ESP and VRP . I’ll say again VRP is a smooth running , quiet oil to run producing low wear numbers with great cleaning abilities in engines approved for it - just don’t push OCI mileage with it past 5K miles .