Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: deven
So you are going to call it nothing special by the VoA/UOAs and go as far as calling it not "better" Just purely on numbers you read on paper or online. Do you know the repeatability and accuracy of a UOA/VOA of an oil sample? I have seen and sent an oil sample from the same bottle to two different oil analysis company. The variance in numbers was overwhelmingly high. We're talking about greater than 200%. Valvoline is a very very good oil. We've torn apart engines strictly on Valvoline and it has done better than many of the "better" oils. Read my sig buddy!
Because oil determines 100% of engine wear... nope sorry, you get the gold star for testing error. If you are making claims about the oil, you must test the "oil".
Read men have extensive training in empirical research methods.
No one says that UOA or VOA are perfect, but looking across multiple reports, you can definitely ID a trend. Especially if every other same might exhibit the same variability. Heck, 2ppm vs 4ppm is 200%... and definable could be within the margin of error. (And you say two sample can make generalizable statements on sample-error.... hilarious. Synpower is not the better performing Syn... not even from a price-point perspective. If it was price lower than PP or M1, then it might be a decent deal. If they could run it consistently at around $4-5per qt, then it would be a BITOG darling. It is good but for M1 or PP money? Nope, not quite. I think the lower TBN numbers after the 5-8K intervals show that it has a limited extended change interval that some of the other major brands can easily achieve. One of my favorite threads (old but good) is this:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2551916... same engine, several Syns tested with a few multiple runs. There is nothing "wrong" with Synpower but it looks to be the weakest tested. Heck, the conventional looked better later on. So, is it 100% better than Napa? I don't think so. The difference, if any, is nearly non-existent between NAPA (ashland made) Valvoline, and the lower-spec RP. So if they seem to be testing the same, why pay more for Synpower?
I have had fleet vehicle running on "Correction Services" motor oil that have great looking engines (one was a down-right shocker considering the use). Does that mean that the prisoner-recycled oil is made from unicorn tears? No. Even store-brand and odd label oils are testing and reporting well. So nearly any oil can have a "looks great" tear-down now-a-days if reasonable OCI are followed. As a result, much of what is deemed important can be factored with cost. It is one thing to be the "gold standard" such as M1, or perhaps the best mass market oil via frog-hairs with Pennzoil, but if you are not either of these items but cost the same, what is the point. It is an "also ran" synthetic that can't even claim a better pricepoint. At least other Valvoline product have better market competitiveness. Maxlife ATF is fantastic IMO and their gear oil is pretty darn good and at a better pricepoint.
You love to skew the numbers your way so much so its comical. You've lost all credibility with me and you sir will go on ignore.