I've got a '99 Expy with about 65K miles on it. My girlfriend has a '93 Honda Civic with over 100K. My question is, would it hurt either of us to use Maxlife? I figure that, if it really does work, it'll help her engine along and keep mine in fairly good shape (it's doing ok now, but I'm getting "up there" with the mileage). My main reasoning is that I like to buy a few cases at a time, and I'd rather use the same oil for both cars (as well as my '77 MGB, which has a new engine). Will Maxlife hurt an engine that's in good shape, or should I wait until things start leaking?

XXL

 

Maxlife will not harm an engine that is in good shape. You will be fine running it in both vehicles.

I've been using it in my '93 Sable since last year (4-5 oil changes).

 

There is nothing noteworthy about Maxlife that would have me tell you not to use it. It has a basic additive package-nothing spectacular. I can only asume that it is an ester modified dino. Otherwise, it wouldn't be anything different from any other oil. If your vehicles seals are in good shape I don't think I would use it until they started leaking. The esters make the seals swell. If you want a breakdown of a virgin oil sample I have the numbers at your request.

 

I'm w/ Flash on this one. Wouldn't hurt, but I'm not so sure it would help anything right now either. My opinion: 65,000 is fairly low mileage for today's autos. I'd run whatever oil you choose (name brand-they're all good) and never worry about it.

 

Yeah, it's not going to hurt anything and it's not going to make your vehicle last any longer than any similar rated dino oil. The additive levels may be a little different than other similar rated oils, but there is nothing magical in it either.

Valvoline seems to have carefully worded their description of this oil, otherwise it could be considered a snake oil. I think the main benefit is it reduces leakage from worn seals. I think a few members here have reported satisfactory results in that regard.

Personally, I think it's a little over priced to be used as a precautionary measure. I would just use whatever else is your favorite oil and keep up your regular service intervals.

The way I look at it is, if it's gonna leak, it will. No matter what you do. Deal with it then.

YMMV
Scott

 

Thanks guys. I have another question, though. I'm a big fan of Valvoline - it's never done me wrong. This last oil change, I put in Valvoline Durablend. Apparently it's 30% synthetic. Anyhow, does it offer any real benefits over regular old Valvoline? Durablend costs 2X as much as the ordinary stuff. Should I just stick with ordinary Valvoline (changed at 5K intervals), or am I really benefiting from the Durablend?

XXL

 

Most of the guys here know I'm not a big believer in the benefits of synthetic or synthetic blend for day-in and day-out driving. Today's conventional oils are, IMO, well suited for their task. If you poke around here, you'll see that a lot of folks (myself included) hold Chevron in pretty high regard. It is a Type III oil which is, essentially a "synthetic" yet it is sold at conventional oil prices.
But, to answer your question, I'd not pay twice as much for Durablend. I'd use regular Valvoline and do as you said: change every 5,000 miles.
We'll see what others have to say.

 

What is a "Type III" oil? Would you say (honestly) that Chevron is overall better than Valvoline? I ask because, if it's cheaper than Valvoline and works better, then I'll go with Chevron.

XXL

 

My 1993 Silverado was leaking oil about this time last year, not bad, but enough to get my attention.....150,000 miles on the truck. I was skeptical about MaxLife being a "snake oil" but decided to try it....I was very impressed at how the leaks completely stopped within about 500 miles after putting it in.

I have since sold the truck and replaced it with a 2003 Screw.

Despite my above comments with MaxLife, the general consensus here: http://bobistheoilguy.com is that Valvoline oils are not particularly good when compared to other OTC dinos like Castrol, Chevron/Havoline and Pennzoil. You might want to visit the site, do a search on "Valvoline" or "MaxLife", then draw your own conclusions.

 

Hi cheeks! Thanks for joining us!

Matt, group III base oils are hydroisomerized oils that represent the latest technological achievment. Their performance closely rivals that of much more expensive synthetics.

Here's a link to a technical paper that everyone will, I think, find very interesting and informing.

Oh, and BTW, unfortunately you can't use price to determine the quality of motor oils. If only it were that simple!

Scott

 

For all of you who would like to learn about dino oils, group III's, and synthetics, you need to go to the link in Horsepullers post "technical paper". Quite actually, it should be required reading. It is 24 pages and the last 16 pages are charts and I suggest that you print the entire article. First you will need to note the date which is 1999, the technology has gotten even better. Note the minor differences between group III and synthetics. Next time you buy your synthetic motor oil remember this page and the fact that Chevron Supreme can be bought at Walmart for $1.08.
Horsepuller- best post of the year and I suggest you make it a sticky.

 

Done!

 

No surprise here that Flash wants that article to be required reading . I read it through and I did get the gist of it. Some of the technical jargon was a little over my head but I intend to read it thoroughly a few more times.

I recently decided to switch from dino to synthetic in my Ranger, with Mobil1 being my choice. It took me a while to make the decision, but I was comfortable with it. Oil change time is rapidly approaching and I'm all geared up and ready to go. Now, I gotta re-think things all over again. Why do you guys do this to me?

 

Because we CAN!!


The link Scott posted is to some very good info. I have found the mfgrs. web sites to have lots of good, educational info.
Seriously, I still haven't got it nailed, but there's just something about oil and this forum that keeps me coming back. I think it's the people and the subject. Seems there's always somebody, or something, new.....

(OBTW - today I made the switch to Chevron 10W-30 after 88,000 miles w/ Shell.)

 

bttt