Who makes the best synthetic oil?

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HarryLui

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
1,518
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My 200k Saturn takes whatever 5w-30 that is on sale.
My 300k turbo Volvo takes Rotella 15w-40

You're way over thinking it.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
A test I was informed of done by the SAE, a 5-year study of oils, lubrication fluid and filters concluded that:

Valvoline was the ONLY oils/lubricants that tested (chemical and friction) to meet all standards and specs IN ALL GRADES. And as I understand it, this test tested EVERYTHING, not just a few car oils. Tractors, ships, trucks, etc.

This was done in 300,000 vehicles over 5 years.

They also tested all the usual snake oil additives, oils, etc, and none of them could hack it. (Duralube, STP, Lucas, Royal Purple, and all the rest)

In the particular forum I was reading when I found this info (posted by a person who I know to be VERY knowledgeable) the particular oil in question was 15w40. The test showed that the only oil that pulled even or maybe slightly ahead of Valvoline at that weight was Shell Rotella. And that was just by a slight amount on the friction tests.

Valvoline is some quality stuff. I've always used it and I've always enjoyed knowing my engine is protected well. (Always conventional)
 

thecritic

Senior member
Sep 5, 2004
470
0
0
A test I was informed of done by the SAE, a 5-year study of oils, lubrication fluid and filters concluded that:

Valvoline was the ONLY oils/lubricants that tested (chemical and friction) to meet all standards and specs IN ALL GRADES. And as I understand it, this test tested EVERYTHING, not just a few car oils. Tractors, ships, trucks, etc.

This was done in 300,000 vehicles over 5 years.

They also tested all the usual snake oil additives, oils, etc, and none of them could hack it. (Duralube, STP, Lucas, Royal Purple, and all the rest)

In the particular forum I was reading when I found this info (posted by a person who I know to be VERY knowledgeable) the particular oil in question was 15w40. The test showed that the only oil that pulled even or maybe slightly ahead of Valvoline at that weight was Shell Rotella. And that was just by a slight amount on the friction tests.

Can you please point me to the SAE paper containing this information, so that I purchase the SAE paper?

Thanks.
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
my friend who has a M6 adds oil when the light goes on and he just goes to a random gas station and adds the best stuff they got lol. Now he finally is reading the digital dipstick so he fills it up early, but still with M1 or something similar.

Oh dear. Let us know the VIN so we don't buy it. :awe:
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
5,222
136
Can you please point me to the SAE paper containing this information, so that I purchase the SAE paper?

Thanks.


I tried to find this study and came up with nothing. And since you can search the entire SAE database by keywords, a keyword of Valvoline (which should have produced the test in searching) showed 45 papers/tests/etc. at SAE with Valvoline in the body of the text, but no 5 year long term oil/lubrication test. The search results went back as far as 1936.


http://www.sae.org/search?searchfield=valvoline
 

CupCak3

Golden Member
Nov 11, 2005
1,318
1
81
I tried to find this study and came up with nothing. And since you can search the entire SAE database by keywords, a keyword of Valvoline (which should have produced the test in searching) showed 45 papers/tests/etc. at SAE with Valvoline in the body of the text, but no 5 year long term oil/lubrication test. The search results went back as far as 1936.


http://www.sae.org/search?searchfield=valvoline


I believe he meant BSAE.... not SAE ;)
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
5,222
136
I believe he meant BSAE.... not SAE ;)


Since BSAE isn't an abbreviation for British SAE, don't know what BSAE would mean except Bachelor of Science in -some-- Engineering, such as Agricultural, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Architectural, etc.

Maybe British School of Archaeology in Egypt?
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Since BSAE isn't an abbreviation for British SAE, don't know what BSAE would mean except Bachelor of Science in -some-- Engineering, such as Agricultural, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Architectural, etc.

Maybe British School of Archaeology in Egypt?

I think he was referring to "Bull Shit"
 

dirtymax

Banned
Jul 12, 2016
1
0
0
I have a buddy of mine that introduced me to AMSOIL Back in 04 he suggested I try it in my 03 Duramax. I started using it along with a by-pass filter system in 04 with 25000 km. on my truck, the truck pulls our 12000lbs fifth wheel camping trailer. He also suggest that I change all my drive train fluids to AMSOIL as well so I did at 62000km. The truck now has 785000km. on it with no issues other then regular maintenance I am now a firm believer in Synthetic Oils and especially AMSOIL my cost for oil changes is way cheaper then conventional oil at 60000 km. Oil change intervals with by-pass system. This truck is now retired from towing but still runs great as my daily driving vehicle , my new 2015 Duramax will only be using Synthetic oil AMSOIL and will now be towing my 14000lbs fifth wheel. I now buy all my oil, fluids and Fuel Additives from a local AMSOIL Dealer. My wife's car is a 06 Mazda3 with 22500km. on it and yes I have only used Synthetic (AMSOIL) in it since first oil change and it only gets change once per year. So Synthetics over conventional for sure after what I have experienced
 
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