Why Penz Platinum Over Ultra or Vice Versa

[Fallguy]

As Ultra is to be Pennzoil's top of the line for what technical reasons do some prefer the Platinum over the Ultra besides price.

I see some very good used oil analysis on Platinum but is it believed by some to be better than Ultra?

If I choose to run one just trying to decide which.

 

[Hemi426]

Many feel that the Platinum performs just as well for less money. It might not clean as well as Ultra or be recommended by Ferrari but what does that matter to the average Joe?

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: Hemi426
Many feel that the Platinum performs just as well for less money. It might not clean as well as Ultra or be recommended by Ferrari but what does that matter to the average Joe?

+1

 

[hate2work]

And some people think that paying a few more dollars for Ultra is worth it. They like the fact that it's the top dog in the PZ line and it's supposedly used by Ferrari, who are we to argue?

 

[Hemi426]

If you read the fine print about Ferrari North America and Ultra, it says they use 5w-40 and 10w-60. Those are two grades we don't have access to unless we visit a Ferrari dealership I imagine.

 

[Ben99GT]

I choose Ultra given the choice. Reasons? Seq IIIG performance and the large dose of boron.

 

[901Memphis]

I think the price is the biggest factor.

Other than that as you already pointed out there are many used oil analysis for platinum which make it have a well established track record.

Its hard to imagine anything besides that except maybe availability or sales that include filters being much better

 

[Eddie]

I chose PP becaused the NOACK Volatility rating is ~ 15% lower. This may be important for my Direct Injection engine.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: Hemi426
Many feel that the Platinum performs just as well for less money. It might not clean as well as Ultra or be recommended by Ferrari but what does that matter to the average Joe?


Saw them side by side at my local Walmart last night. Same new PZ bottle design for both. PP was $1 more. Flipped them over and PP was SN and Ultra was SM. However they both stated exceeded GF-5.

Makes you wonder which one is their "top dog"

 

[lexus114]

The Ultra has a lower cold pour point,-45 I think?

 

[hooligan24]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
I choose Ultra given the choice. Reasons? Seq IIIG performance and the large dose of boron.

Is the Boron designed to attach itself to alloys? I have been trying to find info on Boron ever since I read your statement about the large dose of boron, without much luck. From the little bit I found, it seems like it will attach to alloys and leave a coating that is slicker than Teflon. I wonder if thats why the VOA of Ultra 5w30 showed almost 500ppm of Boron, then used oil analysis show much much less, some as low as 60ppm.....the Boron is seperating from oil suspension and attaching to the insides of the motor?

If this is the case, I wonder hom many oil changes and miles it would take before a used oil analysis showed hardly any drop in Boron after a run of Ultra

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: hooligan24
Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
I choose Ultra given the choice. Reasons? Seq IIIG performance and the large dose of boron.

Is the Boron designed to attach itself to alloys? I have been trying to find info on Boron ever since I read your statement about the large dose of boron, without much luck. From the little bit I found, it seems like it will attach to alloys and leave a coating that is slicker than Teflon. I wonder if thats why the VOA of Ultra 5w30 showed almost 500ppm of Boron, then used oil analysis show much much less, some as low as 60ppm.....the Boron is seperating from oil suspension and attaching to the insides of the motor?

If this is the case, I wonder hom many oil changes and miles it would take before a used oil analysis showed hardly any drop in Boron after a run of Ultra


I'm not sure what form of boron Pennzoil is using in Ultra. Pennzoil claims, "Boron is used universally in lubricating oils as a seals and non-ferrous metals passivator" & "The function of the boron in Pennzoil Ultra™ formulations is one of protection for non-ferrous metals and sealing materials".

Some reading on boron in motor oils:
http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2007/ES070803.html

http://www.1expired.com/Boron-CLS-Bond.html

http://www.topspindesign.com/business/media/document/tsd_oil_additive_test_report.pdf

 

[steve20]

Thanks for the articles Ben, your'e the man today

Anyone know if the Boron would compete with ZDDP for molecular place on the wear surfaces?

steve

 

[hooligan24]

all 3 of those links were ones that I read late(really late) last night. I will have to reread them since I cant really remember much of them....lol

 

[shpankey]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
I chose PP becaused the NOACK Volatility rating is ~ 15% lower. This may be important for my Direct Injection engine.

Really? Wow, I didn't know that. That makes sense though, as Pennzoil's website recommends PP over PU for my D.I. car.

What are the two's NOACK ratings exactly btw... just curious.

 

[oggb]

Because one is/was on sale or is/was cheaper than the other.