Why not use Valvoline R&P as the "forever oil"?

[cammyfive79]

Let me preface this though experiment by stipulating that I understand the following:

1) R&P is not, or at least is not advertised, as an extended drain interval; let's assume a normie 5K-ish drain interval
2) R&P, currently, does not offer a wide selection of viscosities so if your vehicle requires a 0w40, here in the USA, R&P would be out; let's assume most cars require or recommend a 0w20 or 5w30 that R&P offers
3) R&P, currently, is not offered in the USA in Euro flavors

With those things stipulated, what arguments could be made that R&P is *not* a good consistent use/long term oil for most vehicles. At Walmart, it's part of the 5qt jug at approx $29 cadre, so why would one not select it. I'm making this argument in good faith; just curious if there is a reason it would not be the ideal choice for vehicles/use cases that don't fit the stipulations above.

 

[cptbarkey]

Maybe ignore marketing hype for starters, and an impossible task of tracking biased anecdotes unless you have the patience of 4 OCIs. The only way of knowing results is to pull a valve cover gasket each time. Pretty clever on their part. I'm not going to deny the scientist behind it or the theory of a slow clean produces results, but I highly doubt anyone can claim removing varnish did anything measurable.

 

[Johnny248]

I don't see any reason not to use it full time. It's not insanely expensive. Many people seem to be happy using it.

 

[Patman]

This is a really interesting question actually, and it’s something that I have considered too. For me the biggest issue with using it long term is that it’s not sold in Canada and even when I cross the border it’s not easy to find in every Walmart and I don’t really want to pay $40 for it at the other parts stores.

But another reason is that it’s a bit more than M1 ESP, which has a lot better approvals on it and even if your car doesn’t need any of those it’s still a good indication of the quality of ESP.
Also, I know a lot of people here like to use a 0w30 or 0w40 and that’s something Valvoline doesn’t offer in R&P.

 

[Glenda W.]

Well it cleans pistons, so if you run it for life you’d never get stuck rings. Only reason some warranty worriers may not use it is lack of the dexos cert. which for me is a non issue.

 

[buster]

Let me preface this though experiment by stipulating that I understand the following:

1) R&P is not, or at least is not advertised, as an extended drain interval; let's assume a normie 5K-ish drain interval
2) R&P, currently, does not offer a wide selection of viscosities so if your vehicle requires a 0w40, here in the USA, R&P would be out; let's assume most cars require or recommend a 0w20 or 5w30 that R&P offers
3) R&P, currently, is not offered in the USA in Euro flavors

With those things stipulated, what arguments could be made that R&P is *not* a good consistent use/long term oil for most vehicles. At Walmart, it's part of the 5qt jug at approx $29 cadre, so why would one not select it. I'm making this argument in good faith; just curious if there is a reason it would not be the ideal choice for vehicles/use cases that don't fit the stipulations above.

You listed the reasons you wouldn't want to use it. Especially #3 or a vehicle that has a specification it doesn't meet.

 

[cammyfive79]

This is a really interesting question actually, and it’s something that I have considered too. For me the biggest issue with using it long term is that it’s not sold in Canada and even when I cross the border it’s not easy to find in every Walmart and I don’t really want to pay $40 for it at the other parts stores.

But another reason is that it’s a bit more than M1 ESP, which has a lot better approvals on it and even if your car doesn’t need any of those it’s still a good indication of the quality of ESP.
Also, I know a lot of people here like to use a 0w30 or 0w40 and that’s something Valvoline doesn’t offer in R&P.

Right. I was reading up on M1 ESP 0W30 that is a fan favorite here. It seems that Euro cars do recommend/require those ESP 0W30 approvals so that might be part of the "Euro cars not supported" caveat I listed.

 

[cammyfive79]

You listed the reasons you wouldn't want to use it. Especially #3 or a vehicle that has a specification it doesn't meet.

Right, just thinking through if there was anything I missed; I'm thinking along the lines of domestic/Asian cars which are typically API SP recommended and less stringent.

 

[PWMDMD]

Not answering your question but for a vehicle like my 2022 Kia Soul which prior to going PFI has a history of coked up rings and I don't see an argument not to use the 5W30 as the standard oil.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Let me preface this though experiment by stipulating that I understand the following:

1) R&P is not, or at least is not advertised, as an extended drain interval; let's assume a normie 5K-ish drain interval
2) R&P, currently, does not offer a wide selection of viscosities so if your vehicle requires a 0w40, here in the USA, R&P would be out; let's assume most cars require or recommend a 0w20 or 5w30 that R&P offers
3) R&P, currently, is not offered in the USA in Euro flavors

With those things stipulated, what arguments could be made that R&P is *not* a good consistent use/long term oil for most vehicles. At Walmart, it's part of the 5qt jug at approx $29 cadre, so why would one not select it. I'm making this argument in good faith; just curious if there is a reason it would not be the ideal choice for vehicles/use cases that don't fit the stipulations above.

Perhaps R&P can be viewed as "a solution in search of a problem" for the vast majority of ICE owners. IOW if you're not having problems don't worry about it. These products feed off the obsessive compulsive nature of many consumers.

 

[Duukt]

VRP worked very well for me on my GS350. I plan to use VRP full-time once I'm done with my complementary oil changes at the dealer.

 

[Lockasiam]

Also, I know a lot of people here like to use a 0w30 or 0w40 and that’s something Valvoline doesn’t offer in R&P.

R&P doesn't come in really all that many flavours which sucks. Only 10w40 R&P that I'm aware of is in Australia

 

[Zee09]

It's the BITOG flavor of the year.
Next year the herd will be obsessing over the latest and greatest.

 

[buster]

VRP is truly unique though if you think about it. Prior to VRP, it's always been about mitigating deposits. Few if any other oils can reverse piston deposit formation and bring them back to new. HPL may be the only other oil that could theoretically clean piston rings. So in some sense it truly is a new category of oil.

So basically, there is now an oil off the shelf that can keep pistons factory clean.

 

[Astro14]

VRP worked very well for me on my GS350. I plan to use VRP full-time once I'm done with my complementary oil changes at the dealer.

Why use it from new? I’m genuinely curious. What’s the advantage over another synthetic at the recommended intervals?

 

[mt23]

Since VRP will clean deposits which extended intervals can cause, what is the weak link of this oil in an extended interval? - would be the answer to why not to use VRP in a vehicle doing extended, or normal intervals.

 

[cammyfive79]

Since VRP will clean deposits which extended intervals can cause, what is the weak link of this oil in an extended interval? - would be the answer to why not to use VRP in a vehicle doing extended, or normal intervals.

I'm far from an expert, but if I recall correctly, the UOA I've seen on it seems to have a relatively low TBN after a 5K mile OCI so it appears the additive pack doesn't lend it self to long (10K+ miles) OCIs.

 

[BrendanC]

Maybe ignore marketing hype for starters, and an impossible task of tracking biased anecdotes unless you have the patience of 4 OCIs. The only way of knowing results is to pull a valve cover gasket each time. Pretty clever on their part. I'm not going to deny the scientist behind it or the theory of a slow clean produces results, but I highly doubt anyone can claim removing varnish did anything measurable.

removing of valve covers won’t tell you the story at the piston rings where it’s “marketed” to work. the real story is a reduction in consumpton and maybe a compression/leak by check.

 

[Fa24wrx]

It's a great oil if it meets your needs.

5w30 is HTHS of 3.24. Good moly levels, and i saw low wear numbers on my UOA

 

[cammyfive79]

Why use it from new? I’m genuinely curious. What’s the advantage over another synthetic at the recommended intervals?

I would think to remove any small deposits and "keep them gone". That would be my plan. Again, in the $30 walmart price, why would one not use this oil over another comparable brand is my question.