I was browsing the net and looked at some stuff on the European Valvoline site. Their MaxLife oil is a semi-senthetic blend, available in 10w40 and, get this, 15w40. Wonder what it costs to mail order some, particularly the not-to-be-had-in-the-USA/Canada 15w40 MaxLife.

 

Is it CI-4 rated?

 

TP, the additive packages are not the same and the Euro Valvoline most likely will kill your cat. converter. That is why it is not available over here. As far as it being better, it should hold up longer- not necessarily better. If you have an engine that does not have a cat., it would be about as good as any of the boutique oils claiming 25,000 mile oil changes.

 

how would an oil additive affect the cat/conv unless the rings were bad and the motor was burning oil?

 

racsan, It will kill the cat via oxidation. Any oil regardless of basestock will have some oxidation. It can be accellerated by water, coolant, or condensation. As the liquids are cooked off some of the additives will cook off with the vapors and everything goes out the tailpipe. This is why the newer API standards are calling for even less zinc and phos. as these are the main cat killers. The EPA is pushing the auto manufacturers for even longer emmissions warranties. The target is 150,000 miles. That is a lot of mileage to warrant a product that you have no control over. Reducing the additive packages is being viewed as one of the vehicles to achieve this goal. I don't see it happening the way they expect it to unfold.

 

Oh c'mon Flash , oxidation does not have anything to do with the fact that large amounts of phos in formulation will coat the cat's internals over time in moderate to heavy oil burners .

Quote:

(As the liquids are cooked off some of the additives will cook off with the vapors and everything goes out the tailpipe.)

That would be volatility of the basestock , not the additives.

NOAK would be the word to use here .

Do you know what oxidizes oil or are ya just winging it here ? Not meant to flame just you post some less than true observations and or facts on this forum: -huh Especially the other thread where you say synthetics have shown 2-3-4 times the wear over dino's .
Stop , your crackin me up here