Why not Valvoline Restore and Protect for average Joe OCIs?

[Legs4Arms]

I don't know what you are running it in, but you may want to consider the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30. It has a ACEA C3 rating, giving it the >3.5 HTHS. There are some other choices out there, but the best prices will be with the Mobil 1 ESP. Do frequent oil and filter changes, no matter the oil or the owner's manual recommendations. I go 5000 miles or 6 months, whatever comes first. All we do is city short trips and only have a 4.7 qt. engine oil capacity though.

I can and should run Mobil 1 0W-40 in all my vehicles but have a sickness for buying oil that I don't need.

Pic of the oil shelves forthcoming

 

[ChrisD46]

That’s a big assumption. Completely different type of deposit. My oil burner was spotless except for the piston grooves at 5k oci’s.

Perhaps using Valvoline Restore and Protect and dropping down to 3.5K - 4K OCI’s is better for more engines ?

 

[GW.]

Perhaps using Valvoline Restore and Protect and dropping down to 3.5K - 4K OCI’s is better for more engines ?

I can only speak from my experience with Restore and Protect. It was able to clean the pistons up with 5k intervals. As far as other oils go dropping the oci length has not reduced piston deposits. Vehicles with high fuel dilution will see benefits dropping the oci length for sure.

 

[JohnnyO]

I am talking about the typical guy who does 5k mile OCIs or just follows the OLM, goes to Walmart, and grabs Mobil 1, Castrol Edge, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, or whatever $30 jug is on the shelf. For that person I don't really see why Valvoline Restore and Protect wouldn't be a better option.

That's what I'm doing in my Ranger. On the second load of Valvoline Restore and Protect now, always a 5000 mile OCI.
Used regular Valvoline Synpower previously.
I doubt that it was dirty on the inside anyway but with a turbocharger and direct injection I think keeping the internals a little extra clean is a good thing.

 

[JohnnyO]

I just inherited a 2000 Mustang GT, car sat in a garage for long periods, oil was awful.
I will run Valvoline Restore and Protect consistently in this for the duration. Trying to clean the guts.
Granted, I use something different in the other three vehicles, but that's me.

If you're going to drive it regularly I would go with a 3000 mile OCI until it looks kinda clean.

 

[Frankrank]

2010 MDX with the J37, known oil burner. Acura changed the piston and rings under a recall at 90,000 miles. At 130,000 started using a 1/2 quart every 1,000 miles. Learned about Valvoline Restore and Protect on BITGOG and gave it a go. No oil consumption after 3 changes. 150k now and it will be the go to oil until it's sold or gives up the ghost.

From what I read the low tension oil rings were getting carboned up. Honda figured it was easier to change the piston and rings instead of trying to clean the old rings. They didn't actually change the part design so the recall is just a band-aid. My feeling is Valvoline Restore and Protect is cleaning the carbon up on the replacement pistons and rings.

 

[AngryScientist]

I havent read all 9 pages, but my initial thought is that many of today's engines are direct injected. I dont believe Valvoline Restore and Protect is good at preventing LSPI, right? I'm a Chevy guy and I'm thinking that's the reason it's not Dexos approved?

 

[ChrisD46]

You have to be willing to sign up for four to five OCI’s of 3,500 to 5,000 mile OCI’s with Valvoline Restore and Protect then decide what you may wish to do moving forward. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, Mobil 1 ESP, or stay with Valvoline Restore and Protect.

 

[daniel327]

Why not? Price. It's 2x as much as other oils. In a vehicle that uses no oil between changes, I'm not using it.

In my area it's about $16 a litre, which is exactly the same price as most other oils.

 

[4wd]

You have to be willing to sign up for four to five OCI’s of 3,500 to 5,000 mile OCI’s with Valvoline Restore and Protect then decide what you may wish to do moving forward. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, Mobil 1 ESP, or stay with Valvoline Restore and Protect.

If it had not worked that way for Glenda - I’d be even more suspicious of this takes 4 OCI thing …
Way too many variables …

 

[trd1zz]

You have to be willing to sign up for four to five OCI’s of 3,500 to 5,000 mile OCI’s with Valvoline Restore and Protect then decide what you may wish to do moving forward. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, Mobil 1 ESP, or stay with Valvoline Restore and Protect.

And be aware that oil consumption may drastically increase once you switch. Hopefully, only temporarily.

Too bad they don't warn you of this on the bottle. It's only a matter of time before someone switches to Valvoline Restore and Protect, experiences the sudden increase in consumption, doesn't check their oil in time, and blows their motor.

 

[Kira]

A premature Valvoline Restore and Protect report.
My engine, a prime oil-use candidate, hadn't shown any evidence thereof until yesterday.
4,000 miles into my first Valvoline Restore and Protect oil change, the electronic oil level gauge read "OK" but was a notch below the graphic's FULL level.
12 ounces of oil brought it back to the familiar FULL level.
I should have added the make-up oil just 3 or 4 ounces at a time in case the sensor was at a threshold level.
Oh well, you can't think of everything.

Half of the 4,000 miles have been sustained highway driving.
I've always thought sustained highway speeds, along with other conditions, could increase oil consumption.

I'm going to wait out the entire 5,000-mile OCI, drain, measure (subtracting 12 oz. from the total) and enter it as the 2nd piece of my oil-use data.
Another chart is born.

Thought: Since it's cold, might the looser dimensions during warm-up allow this restorative oil to reach the rings better, at least for a bit of time?

 

[Hohn]

Want to hedge your bet against possible ring carbon buildup? If so, VS&P is cheap insurance. Convinced your rings are already clean? Use whatever oil you are currently using. The end.

Well said.

Valvoline Restore and Protect is proven to clean AND proven (by many used oil analysis) to have very, very good wear protection rivaling even the top end boutique oils in wear metal rates (if you believe they are comparable).

IMO the only reasons NOT to run Valvoline Restore and Protect are:
— You need a viscosity grade not covered in the existing line. Say you need a 40 grade or 50 grade.
— You need an oil that has a longer service life than Valvoline Restore and Protect (TBN of 6.5 or so won’t meet your OCI).

Even then, these reasons aren’t set in stone. If I had a engine engine prone to ring issues that spec’d a 40 grade Euro oil, I’d certainly consider running Valvoline Restore and Protect in 30 grade at least as a temporary cleaning regimen or perhaps blending it with something thicker to get close to a Valvoline Restore and Protect-like oil with higher viscosity or just babying it for the OCI to ensure modest oil temps.

(A single quart of Valvoline Advanced 20w-50 in a 5 quart fill will raise a 5w-30 Valvoline Restore and Protect to 40 grade without IMO a catastrophic effect on add pack balance or clash since it’s still a Valvoline formulation).

I’m a fan of Valvoline Restore and Protect to the point where it’s always my first choice when changing the oil on an engine I’ve never seen before (I donate oil change services and sometimes see complete stranger engines) unless that engine has some exotic requirement I’m not comfortable meeting with Valvoline Restore and Protect. I haven’t seen it yet and anything from 0w-16 to 5w-30 I’m confident Valvoline Restore and Protect meets quite well.

 

[Hohn]

A premature Valvoline Restore and Protect report.
My engine, a prime oil-use candidate, hadn't shown any evidence thereof until yesterday.
4,000 miles into my first Valvoline Restore and Protect oil change, the electronic oil level gauge read "OK" but was a notch below the graphic's FULL level.
12 ounces of oil brought it back to the familiar FULL level.
I should have added the make-up oil just 3 or 4 ounces at a time in case the sensor was at a threshold level.
Oh well, you can't think of everything.

Half of the 4,000 miles have been sustained highway driving.
I've always thought sustained highway speeds, along with other conditions, could increase oil consumption.

I'm going to wait out the entire 5,000-mile OCI, drain, measure (subtracting 12 oz. from the total) and enter it as the 2nd piece of my oil-use data.
Another chart is born.

Thought: Since it's cold, might the looser dimensions during warm-up allow this restorative oil to reach the rings better, at least for a bit of time?

Not really. The clearances will tighten up much faster than the oil will thin with warmth. So on balance, your best bet with Valvoline Restore and Protect usage is a warm engine.

Valvoline Restore and Protect works much faster in applications where the average oil temperature is higher. There’s more splash and more flow when fully hot. This lets the Valvoline Restore and Protect do its thing more effectively.

IMO, the best way to help Valvoline Restore and Protect along is to take advantage of the “italian tune up” opportunities on highway on ramps and such if the engine is fully warmed and you can give it the beans for several seconds. For engine cleaning, high RPM and higher temps are your friend.

 

[CleanSump]

And be aware that oil consumption may drastically increase once you switch. Hopefully, only temporarily.

Too bad they don't warn you of this on the bottle. It's only a matter of time before someone switches to Valvoline Restore and Protect, experiences the sudden increase in consumption, doesn't check their oil in time, and blows their motor.

I don't think that's going to be a common result. The people choosing Restore and Protect are for the most part aware they are using oil, hence their choice to use it. Most people aren't going to spend almost $10 more per 5 quarts than just continuing to use a cheaper oil for continual top offs.
My opinion, not an argument because you are right, someone will throw a rod.

 

[altaylar]

2010 MDX with the J37, known oil burner. Acura changed the piston and rings under a recall at 90,000 miles. At 130,000 started using a 1/2 quart every 1,000 miles. Learned about Valvoline Restore and Protect on BITGOG and gave it a go. No oil consumption after 3 changes. 150k now and it will be the go to oil until it's sold or gives up the ghost.

From what I read the low tension oil rings were getting carboned up. Honda figured it was easier to change the piston and rings instead of trying to clean the old rings. They didn't actually change the part design so the recall is just a band-aid. My feeling is Valvoline Restore and Protect is cleaning the carbon up on the replacement pistons and rings.

there is an overwhelming amount of positive experience with this oil.

 

[trd1zz]

I don't think that's going to be a common result. The people choosing Restore and Protect are for the most part aware they are using oil, hence their choice to use it. Most people aren't going to spend almost $10 more per 5 quarts than just continuing to use a cheaper oil for continual top offs.
My opinion, not an argument because you are right, someone will throw a rod.

Not common, but bound to happen at some point. Someone is going to run too low too quick.

There was a post here yesterday where their consumption rate increased 6x after switching to Valvoline Restore and Protect. A disclaimer on the bottle seems reasonable.

 

[buster]

I think it does work better when engine/oil is a bit hot. As you said the Italian tune up is a good method to use for Valvoline Restore and Protect. Get the oil hot and get it all over the engine.

 

[4wd]

And be aware that oil consumption may drastically increase once you switch. Hopefully, only temporarily.

Too bad they don't warn you of this on the bottle. It's only a matter of time before someone switches to Valvoline Restore and Protect, experiences the sudden increase in consumption, doesn't check their oil in time, and blows their motor.

 

[buster]

Well said.

Valvoline Restore and Protect is proven to clean AND proven (by many used oil analysis) to have very, very good wear protection rivaling even the top end boutique oils in wear metal rates (if you believe they are comparable).

IMO the only reasons NOT to run Valvoline Restore and Protect are:
— You need a viscosity grade not covered in the existing line. Say you need a 40 grade or 50 grade.
— You need an oil that has a longer service life than Valvoline Restore and Protect (TBN of 6.5 or so won’t meet your OCI).

Even then, these reasons aren’t set in stone. If I had a engine engine prone to ring issues that spec’d a 40 grade Euro oil, I’d certainly consider running Valvoline Restore and Protect in 30 grade at least as a temporary cleaning regimen or perhaps blending it with something thicker to get close to a Valvoline Restore and Protect-like oil with higher viscosity or just babying it for the OCI to ensure modest oil temps.

(A single quart of Valvoline Advanced 20w-50 in a 5 quart fill will raise a 5w-30 Valvoline Restore and Protect to 40 grade without IMO a catastrophic effect on add pack balance or clash since it’s still a Valvoline formulation).

I’m a fan of Valvoline Restore and Protect to the point where it’s always my first choice when changing the oil on an engine I’ve never seen before (I donate oil change services and sometimes see complete stranger engines) unless that engine has some exotic requirement I’m not comfortable meeting with Valvoline Restore and Protect. I haven’t seen it yet and anything from 0w-16 to 5w-30 I’m confident Valvoline Restore and Protect meets quite well.

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