Pennzoil question and answers.
Find below a comprehensive Q&A about all things Pennzoil
Complete Protection & Debunking Myths
August 28, 2015
Yes, you should change your motor oil at least once a year even if the vehicle is in storage and rarely driven. If you drive the vehicle once and then allow the vehicle to sit for a year without an oil change, you are allowing the byproducts from combustion and acids to sit, agglomerate, and possibly break down engine materials. For more information on classic car storage, check out the Hagerty Insurance website.
Yes, direct injection engines often run hotter than port injection engines. Thus said, choosing base oil with excellent high temperature properties provides better protection and performance. Low volatility and good oxidation stability are two key high temperature properties found in high quality base oil. NOACK is an industry test that measures volatility. Low volatility means the oil is less likely to vaporize, or evaporate, at high heat. Good oxidation stability means the oil is less like to break down when exposed to oxygen and high heat, leading to fewer deposits. Formulating the motor oil with high quality detergents and dispersants also helps reduce deposits and keep byproducts from combustion from agglomerating to form sludge.
API (American Petroleum Institute) licensing does not mean the motor oil provides complete protection. For example, motor oil that has “API SA” printed on the back of the bottle is not suitable for use in engines manufactured after 1930. The latest industry motor oil specification is API SN/ILSAC GF-5 – however, this is only the minimum industry standard and there is a lot of room for differentiation. Also, some manufacturers make recommendations outside of the API system.
Pennzoil Synthetics provide complete engine protection without compromise. This means we are not compromising any area. Complete protection includes cleaner pistons, better fuel economy, horsepower protection, unsurpassed wear protection, and excellent performance in extreme temperatures.
Watch my Know Your Oil videos series to learn more: Go There
Horsepower is the measured power output of an engine. This is based on the mechanical design of an engine and using proper motor oil helps maintain horsepower. Engine deposits or using a viscosity grade that is too thick can decrease engine efficiency.
Yes! Pennzoil Synthetics have excellent performance in extreme temperatures. Extreme temperature performance refers to both an extremely cold day, like -40°F, and extreme hot spots inside your engine – like the turbocharger shaft or piston rings, which can reach over 400°F. Average engine operating temperature is 212°F with the combustion temperatures up to 2,500°F.
The best suited lubricant is the one that meets the manufacturer’s recommended viscosity grade and engine oil specification. Because hybrid vehicles endure frequent stop-and-go driving, I would recommend using full synthetic motor oil.
Pennzoil Platinum and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum outperform Mobil 1 products in several industry standard tests. For example, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum keeps pistons up to 25% cleaner than Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Platinum keeps pistons up to 8% cleaner than Mobil 1, based on Sequence IIIG engine tests. See the proof here: https://synthetics.pennzoil.com/#cleanest-pistons
We’re always looking to get into more stores across North America so we suggest you ask your local auto body shop to request some Pennzoil Ultra Platinum from their regional Pennzoil distributor. In the meantime, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum can also be purchased online from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/1eJ3DpX
Thank You!!
( Supplemental questions below ):
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils can have a shelf-life of up to four years if stored properly.
Always follow the vehicle owner’s manual to determine the correct oil change interval. I think both vehicles have an oil life indicator you can follow.
In addition to being a first-of-its-kind motor oil made from natural gas, Pennzoil Platinum with PurePlus Technology delivers COMPLETE PROTECTION including:
1. Cleaner Pistons: Keeps pistons up to 40% cleaner than the toughest industry standards (Based on ILSAC GF-5, Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30, and Ford, Chrysler and GM specifications. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum Euro products) Additionally, keep pistons up to 8% cleaner than Mobil 1 and up to 17% cleaner than Valvoline SynPower (Based on pistons from standard V6 engine in ASTM Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum Euro products)
2. Better Fuel Economy: Drive on average an extra 550 miles per year vs. a dirty engine (Fuel economy measurements made using CAFE cycle under FTP75. Avg of 550 extra miles based on mixed city/highway miles and US avg of 13,476 miles driven per year with 4.1% better MPG vs dirty engine. Source fhwa.dot.gov, 2011. Follow OEM recommended oil drain intervals)
3. Horsepower Protection: Helps protect engines from loss of power
4. Unsurpassed Wear Protection: No other leading motor oil provides better protection form friction (Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30)
5. Excellent Performance in Extreme Temperatures: Provides faster low temperature oil flow and protects in extreme heat.
Low speed pre-ignition (LSPI) is more a phenomenon of engine design – and as you mentioned, occurs more frequently in gasoline direct injection (GDI) turbocharged engines. It is really a phenomenon for prototype or experimental engines that are still in the Research & Development phase, and oils with high levels of calcium-based detergents can increase LSPI frequency. HOWEVER, by the time the engine is fully designed and released to the market, it must be compatible with the available motor oils in the marketplace. Thus said, there is no need for concern.
The aniline point is the lowest temperature at which an oil product is completely miscible with aniline in a 1:1 volumetric ratio. Unfortunately, we cannot share data points for proprietary reasons.
a. Pennzoil High Mileage is a conventional motor oil that has been enhanced with a unique combination of special conditioning agents and additives to help stop leaks from seals and reduce the oil consumption that is typical of older, worn engines
b. However, Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage (our newest offering) is a full synthetic motor oil formulated with PurePlus Technology. PPHM is currently available in 5W-20 and 5W-30 viscosity grades and is designed to deliver less oil burn off and reduce leaks/oil consumption in older vehicles as compared to other high mileage motor oils.
Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage is specifically formulated for engines over 75,000 miles. Because this motor oil is designed for high mileage vehicles that have often passed the manufacturer warranty period, it does not carry as many manufacturer specifications. (A few of these specifications require expensive licensing fees.) Rest assured, Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage still provides complete engine protection without compromise – in addition to helping to reduce leaks and oil consumption in older vehicles.
The automotive industry has been recommending lower viscosity grade motor oils over the past few years, so you will start to see lower viscosity grades offered, as opposed to higher, even in high mileage motor oils. However, Pennzoil does offer Pennzoil High Mileage Vehicle in SAE 10W-40 and Pennzoil GT Performance Racing in SAE 25W-50.