Valvoline Restore and Protect

[OVERKILL]

Exactly. I respect people trying to save a buck where they can, but must be careful not to be penny wise and pound foolish.

Yep, some people never end up living their life because their life ends up revolving around avoiding doing things due to cost. My uncle died of throat cancer a few years ago, lived a very frugal life, never travelled, always drove weapons, didn't have any real hobbies. His kids got a big inheritance, but is that what he lived to deliver? I tend to think not.

My dad (his brother) is good at managing money, and my parents live very comfortably. But he's not afraid to spend on luxuries that make their lives better when it makes sense.

 

[CleanSump]

Penny wise and pound foolish
Never heard of that before, but love it

That saying is as old as the hills, probably going back farther than 17th century England.
Brit penny and Brit lb as in currency.

 

[BobsArmory]

That saying is as old as the hills, probably going back farther than 17th century England.
Brit penny and Brit lb as in currency.

That saying was around when Christ was still a Corporal.. (another old saying) ;-)

 

[CleanSump]

That saying was around when Christ was still a Corporal.. (another old saying) ;-)

Also for the Navy guys;; when Jesus was a striker.
I was a Jarhead though, so Corporal for me.

 

[markman34]

Where I live most of my drives are least 45 or more miles from home. I would prefer not to have it die on me for good far from home. Plus I am itching to do the engine swap and get it running at 100% again.

Wondering if you got any farther with your experiment.
I too have the 2011 forester with fb25 and have hopes of resolving some oil consumption. Car currently uses 2-3L over the span of a 10k km OCI. I just did my first change with Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30.
I plan on dropping the oil and new ultra guard filter after 5k kms.
I had unbelievable improvement with my way old 2001 civic 1.7 after a single 5k oil change and am hoping to see similar results with the fb25.
Let us know please.

 

[markman34]

I think with the movement towards turbo 4 cylinder engines - getting a look inside - or even doing a piston soak at high mileage - will be so much easier/better than the V configuration motors …
Same with an inline 5 or 6 …

I agree.
That’s why I’ve got hopes for my H4 Subaru engine. Impossible to do piston soak.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Wondering if you got any farther with your experiment.

No, I put a FB25 in from a 2016 Forester a year ago. Hardly uses any oil now.

 

[Japanese]

Two threads with the same title:

N

Thread 'Valvoline Restore and Protect'

Jan 1, 2026

I just looked the SDS for Valvoline Restore and Protect (because due diligence) and my curiosity stands:
If it works so well, and people have said so, then why aren't companies like Sopus and others trying to market their own version of a hyper-cleaning oil? It seems, from the SDS// (PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID, MIXED O,O-BIS(1,3DIMETHYLBUTYL AND ISO-PR) ESTERS, ZINC SALTS 84605-29-8 DIPHENYLAMINE 122-39-4// data Valvoline isn't claiming that these chemicals are proprietary. I'm pretty sure that the formulation itself is covered under patent(s) but who's to say that I tweak here or there...

• NewKid
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

 

[OilStained]

Two threads with the same title:

N

Thread 'Valvoline Restore and Protect'

Jan 1, 2026

I just looked the SDS for Valvoline Restore and Protect (because due diligence) and my curiosity stands:
If it works so well, and people have said so, then why aren't companies like Sopus and others trying to market their own version of a hyper-cleaning oil? It seems, from the SDS// (PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID, MIXED O,O-BIS(1,3DIMETHYLBUTYL AND ISO-PR) ESTERS, ZINC SALTS 84605-29-8 DIPHENYLAMINE 122-39-4// data Valvoline isn't claiming that these chemicals are proprietary. I'm pretty sure that the formulation itself is covered under patent(s) but who's to say that I tweak here or there...

• NewKid
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

It happens

 

[OilStained]

I don’t seem to be able to find the post of Valvoline Restore and Protect time and mileage OCI requirements. If someone knows, please repost? I’ll make sure I bookmark it.

 

[tired]

find the post of Valvoline Restore and Protect time and mileage OCI requirements

I think you’re gonna have to be more specific there, chief.

 

[Japanese]

I don’t seem to be able to find the post of Valvoline Restore and Protect time and mileage OCI requirements. If someone knows, please repost? I’ll make sure I bookmark it.

Here.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/valvoline-ocis.382040/#post-6867774

 

[4wd]

Here.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/valvoline-ocis.382040/#post-6867774

View attachment 318404

Gives rise to the questions:
1. Does Valvoline use good base stock?
2. Does Valvoline want to keep us in the past for profit?

We have vehicles that only do 7k/year …

 

[altaylar]

Gives rise to the questions:
1. Does Valvoline use good base stock?
2. Does Valvoline want to keep us in the past for profit?

We have vehicles that only do 7k/year …

5KMiles is a fair OCI. Conservative, but fair. I would much prefered if it said 7500 miles and we proactively change it sooner.

I do not understand the suggestion of changing it every 4 months though? 3 month OCI on syn blend or 4 month or full synthethic? That cannot be right.

Good product, but I don`t get why they circulated such extremely conservative OCI recommendations

 

[Japanese]

Gives rise to the questions:
1. Does Valvoline use good base stock?
2. Does Valvoline want to keep us in the past for profit?

We have vehicles that only do 7k/year …

Well, those are all API/ILSAC energy conserving oils.
Everybody are free to decide how long to be their OCI in the country with the cheapest oil (and gas too).
Eventually, some of them will need Valvoline Restore and Protect (boutique oils) down the road.

 

[4wd]

5KMiles is a fair OCI. Conservative, but fair. I would much prefered if it said 7500 miles and we proactively change it sooner.

I do not understand the suggestion of changing it every 4 months though? 3 month OCI on syn blend or 4 month or full synthethic? That cannot be right.

Good product, but I don`t get why they circulated such extremely conservative OCI recommendations

Yeah, it just does not line up well with current OLM’s that use sophisticated algorithms etc …

 

[4wd]

Well, those are all API/ILSAC energy conserving oils.
Everybody are free to decide how long to be their OCI in the country with the cheapest oil (and gas too).
Eventually, some of them will need Valvoline Restore and Protect (boutique oils) down the road.

I think that applies to all of their products …

 

[ChrisD46]

I say 5K miles / 6 months max which ever comes first in normal mixed driving conditions . If it’s a 2nd of 3rd car that doesn’t get driven much then up to 12 months on a full synthetic oil should be OK.

 

[buster]

Valvoline is conservative. I think their QL business model keeps them from suggesting non-OEM oil drain recommendations.

 

[tired]

Valvoline is conservative. I think their QL business model keeps them from suggesting non-OEM oil drain recommendations.

They are separate companies now, FWIW