I have been using Valvoline for a long time (Durablend and recent switch to Maxlife) and was just wondering if it is one of the better oils. I noticed that there is a website all on oil and they regularly rip Valvoline. So it just got me to wondering whether they are biased or if there is really something to what they are saying. I note that Maxlife was listed as Lubricants World's product of the year for 2001: http://www.valvoline.com/images/prod...ifeArticle.pdf I would think unless Valvoline owns Lubricants World magazine, that is a pretty good endorsement. One thing I noticed is the viscosity (cSt at 100C) for Maxlife is about 0.5 lower than similar SAE grades of their All Climate and Durablend and that other companies' high mileage oils are 1 or 2 higher in viscosity than Maxlife. This is not a bad thing as, for example, a 10w40 with a 100C viscosity of say 13.5 would have less viscosity index improvers than another brand 10W40 that has a viscosity of say 15. Also the MaxLife may be better flowing in the winter. Frankly, other than the seal conditioner, I think the high mileage oils are made to get around this "Energy Conserving" bologna that is being pushed by the greens and CAFE standards:
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/...up=Maintenance

What do you all think?

 

Quote:
"This is not a bad thing as, for example, a 10w40 with a 100C viscosity of say 13.5 would have less viscosity index improvers than another brand 10W40 that has a viscosity of say 15."

No.

The VI of the basestock would depict the amount of Viscosity Index Improvers and Pour Point Depressants added to the formulation . Not exactly comparing apples to apples among the various oils available unless one knew the VI of the basestock and that will never be known by the consumer . Besides , even the dino oils available are blends of group I's and II's for the most part . This can easily be confirmed by a quick look at the MSDS's of the oils and their bastock CAS numbers

 

Good point. I had been trying to find out the viscosity of the basestocks and can't. All I can figure is a 10w should be somewhat more robust than a 5w under high temp as the 10w generally should need less viscosity index improvers than a 5W. Likewise, a 15w should be even better.

 

I've always found that my engines run and feel better with Valvoline.

Oil analysis numbers are good; otherwise I don't really care - it works.

For extended drain fluids (transfer case/transmission/differentials) I use Mobil 1 (soon to be Redline for the diffs and transfer case)

I have no doubt in my mind that Mobil1 and Amsoil outperform Valvoline, and I'll remember that next time I build a space shuttle.

XXL

 

Thanks BigMattXXL. Hey I just looked up the MSDs on Maxlife and it says they are 12-22% synthetic oils (and this was not the European semi-synthetic blend Maxlife). Pretty good, though I suspect most decent oils now include some synthetics to get a good performance. That may be how Maxlife gets it's claim of good cold weather starting. But I like the synthetic component, especially coming off from using Durablend semi-synthetic.

 

TallPaul dont worry too much.. i use valvoline all the time and never had any problems with my truck or my wifes new minivan while under warranty..what size motor you have and what year??

 

FWIW, MaxLife made my engine quit leaking.

it's a win win win situation for me - runs great, idles great, revs real smooth, I get immediate oil pressure, and my oil pan gasket quit leaking.

XXL

 

i always use valvoline in my truck. in my burb i use the max life. stuff works good.

 

We use valvoline raceing oil 50W in the race car and never had oil related engine problem.Valvoline has done us a good job.

 

i always use motrocraft filter and either valvoline or castrol in my 97 4.6. 156,000 miles and it uses zero oil between 3,000 mile changes. Heard plenty of noise about perceived quality of quakerstate/pennzoil due to high parrafin content, but have never ever heard of a complaint about valvoline.

 

That Valvoline is good stuff. I have 260,000 miles on one of my cars using only Valvoline with regular oil changes (it's even a four cylinder). Still doesn't use oil with 3,000 mile change intervals. I don't think this would be possible if Valvoline weren't a good oil.

You can't go wrong in my opinion with Valvoline.

 

Thanks all. I was using Valvoline Durablend for several years and recently switched to MaxLife. Will be running it in all my vehicles.

1990 E350 27-foot motorhome with 460 V8
1995 F150 supercab shortbed with 300 I6
1992 Aerostar with 3.0 V6

All these Fords run GREAT!

The '95 is slightly on the low side for oil pressure and I am running 10w40 to keep the hot 2000 rpm pressure in the low to mid 40 psi range. May need to get a more robust base oil in the summer. Maxlife has a 20w50, but that seems a tad too heavy, maybe a 15w40 which would require a brand shift for that grade.

Just sent in my $12 rebate form on 5 qts of Maxlife. Check it out. You can get a rebate too: http://www.valvoline.com/pages/rebat...asp?rebateid=9

 

TallPaul, thanks for the information on the rebate. I just bought a 1996 Ford F-150 last Friday (Halloween) and decided to change the oil and filter instead of worrying about how long it had been since the previous owner changed it. I went with the Valvoline MaxLife, but I got the 5 quart bottle and one 1 quart. DOH!

 

You can always go out and get a few more bottles just to have on hand. Yeah, I bought a 5 qt bottle and am wondering how much I will spill trying to pour it in next oil change.

 

If you are loyal to Valvoline and want to join the 15W-40 HDMO club, find some Valvoline All Fleet or Super Blue. Before I discovered fleet oils like Chevron Delo and Pennzoil Long Life, I used Valvoline Racing for the high ZDDP content.

Jim