Valvoline vs Pennzoil: Exact Comparison in 2023

It is often a difficult choice for consumers to reach a solution to the Valvoline versus Pennzoil dilemma of whether is Valvoline good oil? or is Pennzoil good oil?

In the context of synthetic engine oil and lubricants, Valvoline & Pennzoil both behemoths are well-known to every country. Both companies provide a slew of top-notch products designed for respective benefits and performances.

Cummins owns the former, and the latter belongs to Royal Dutch Shell. Competition is stiff as both continue to be regarded as the best in their trade ever since the last decade.

Valvoline & Pennzoil both oils are fully synthetic and can lasting upto 10,000 miles with engine protection. Both oils can be used in diesel & gasoline engine.

In case of performance, the main focus of valvoline is performance oriented whether that of pennzoil is overall engine cleaning & protection oriented.

The behemoths continue to dominate different markets. The final choice of either Valvoline or Pennzoil depends upon a consumer's expectations, vehicle, and type of engine it has. Let's reveal the further detailed comparison.

Valvoline vs Pennzoil High Mileage: Quick Overview

How to Choose between Valvoline & Pennzoil:

According to a report in 2018, Pennzoil holds 38% of the market shares of motor oils, followed by Valvoline at 22% in the US market.

Both feature a range of motor oils in the categories of conventional and synthetic. The following comparison lists the main differences:

Valvoline vs Pennzoil: Conventional Motor Oil

• The premium Valvoline conventional oil is regarded as an industry benchmark.
• It is available in multiple viscosities ranging from 10W-30 to SAE 50. 
• The added detergents provide enhanced resistance toward sludge deposits.
• The combined additives prevent motor breakdown due to enhanced oxidation control and oil thickening prevention.
• Higher viscosity index controls oil consumption, providing better mileage
• It reduces wear by minimizing friction and lasts long.
• Valvoline's conventional oil also protects the vehicle from Low-speed Pre-Ignition, and the container has an accurate pour outlet and anti-glug tube.
• It is suited for a wide variety of cars.

However, the bottle design makes it cumbersome for the customers to pour the contents properly into the oil reservoir. The element of affordability makes it popular amongst all.

• Pennzoil conventional motor oil is another promising prospect, with a reported cleaning up 40% of engine sludge in the first oil change.
• It has a unique process of smoothly dissolving the sludge off engine and parts' surfaces. This maintains the cleanliness of the engine.
• The smart formula regulates high-temperature oxidation, along with better emission protection.
• The oil constantly prevents sludge depositions and also has the API SN Plus and ISLAC GF-5 certifications.
• Customers find the Pennzoil Lubrication Limited Warranty appealing, along with the reasonable costs.

The Synthetic motor oils provided by both offer their distinct features along with affordability.

Valvoline Full Synthetic vs Pennzoil Full Synthetic

The Valvoline SynPower focuses on sludge removal and varnish protection, facilitation engine cleanliness. It has excellent high-temperature protection along with moderate low-temperature protection.

This is achieved as it aids in faster and smoother oil flow at startup. The Advanced version also promotes fuel efficiency, volatility, and evaporation protection and is compatible with numerous synthetic oils.

The SynPower also has robust anti-wear additives to tackle the major causes of engine stress and stay in the oil circulation for longer periods. The

SynPower/Advanced variants are suitable for a large number of passenger cars. However, the design of the container is rather fragile, and the pouring mechanism is again cumbersome. Valvoline also offers the best value for money.

Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra Platinum sports being made of natural gas and carbon-neutral. This makes it eco-friendly without a compromise on performance.

It provides a higher performance additive system to facilitate wear and turbocharger protection.

The motor oil also protects against extreme temperatures and also adheres to a difficult industry standard. The Platinum/Ultra Platinum range keeps the pistons 50% cleaner than the required industry standard.

It also meets the numerous specifications and approvals ranging from FCA MS 6395 to ISLAC GF-5.

However, the customers have negative reviews regarding the packaging and lower fuel economy improvement. It also is quite expensive due to the natural gas base and fails to condition older seals.

Valvoline and Pennzoil also offer high mileage variants of synthetic oil. These variants also focus on enhancing the engine's mileage and overall life. Currently, the main competitors in the market are:

Valvoline High Mileage vs Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage

The Valvoline High Mileage with Maxlife Technology is the flagship range and has two bases: fully synthetic and synthetic blend. There are two sub-variants: one is for engines over 75,000 miles and the other for engines over 1,50,000 miles.

The high mileage oil has a composition of seal conditioners, detergents, and antioxidants. The seal conditioners treat the aging engine seals to prevent leaks efficiently.

Detergents bond with sludge and deposits to remove them and ensure cleaner old engines. Antioxidants are crucial for avoiding breakdown by preventing engine clogging.

It also comes in different viscosity grades.

The MaxLife technology, along with Moly Additive protection, greatly increases older engines' overall performance and life and provides better mileage.

However, customers again face problems with packaging. The synthetic blend version is most popular owing to its non fully synthetic base, but it also requires more repetitive oil change in intervals.

The Pennzoil/Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage is a worthy competitor, as the Platinum version is eco-friendly. It is made from natural gas and is carbon neutral.

Both variants provide wear and turbocharger protection, along with reduced oil consumption. It adds an additional 550 miles per year due to its distinct composition.

The Platinum variant also ensures engine cleanliness with extreme temperature protection. It also has the unique property of protecting HP in older vehicles too.

Pennzoil/Pennzoil Platinum also consists of older seal conditioners, ensuring top performance by the older engines and reduced leaks.

However, Pennzoil does not have different mileage motor oils according to the miles traveled by the engine like Valvoline. The Platinum variant is effective in reducing lesser oil burn-off for older engines.

However, the customers find the Platinum variant expensive, but also have a very positive review, with proven results.

The normal variant is affordable as it has no natural gas base and provides almost the same performance as the superior version.

Both behemoths aim to maintain their quality products to provide complete consumer satisfaction. However, in some instances, Valvoline appears a better choice, and at some Pennzoil.

Ultimately, it depends upon the consumer's choice and wants, as synthetic motor oil has to be chosen per compatibility with the type of vehicle.

FAQs

1. Is Valvoline the best motor oil?

In the conventional motor oil domain, Valvoline dominates. The affordable prices make it popular and economical.

However, competitors such as Pennzoil and Mobil 1 make it a severe competition in synthetic motor oil, owing to their higher product range and quality. Valvoline's Maxlife is also considered the best motor oil for high mileage.

2. What are the disadvantages of Synthetic oil?

• Expensive in comparison to conventional oil
• High probability of additive separation in low temperatures.
• Lesser fuel economy at highway speeds.
• Incompatible with old and vintage cars as it does not hold the lead in suspension in the oil.
• They are not extremely compatible with the racecar and rotary-type engines.
• The absence of friction due to synthetic oil usage can have an adverse impact. Especially in new vehicles as it avoids breaking in of the parts.

3. Is Pennzoil Synthetic the best?

Customers' reviews, along with analysis, show that Pennzoil products do give good results. The motor oils are technologically advanced with robust formulae and composition.

The mileage variants do add extra life to the old engines. The Platinum variants, made from natural gas, consist of lesser impurities and superior performance.

4. Is Synthetic Motor oil bad for old cars?.

Yes and no. The synthetic motor oil harmful for older cars is the older versions. The newer versions, such as Valvoline High Mileage with Maxlife and Pennzoil High Mileage, are designed to suit vintage and classic cars.

The synthetic motor oil could also harm your old engine as it extensively removes sludge. However, some gasket or plugs of the old engine might be functioning, along with the sludge acting as seals.

The oil change could affect the performance of your classic car. The safest approach is to consult a mechanic or the Company itself to check for synthetic oil compatibility.

Conclusion

The Valvoline vs Pennzoil dilemma cannot be easily unentangled. Valvoline has a better consumer base internationally than Pennzoil, the latter's premium quality product range gives it a tough stand.

Along with its subsidiary Jiffy Lube, Pennzoil ranks just a margin below Valvoline in product quality and pricing.

Valvoline does offer affordable products but takes a hit in packaging and handling. Pennzoil has eco-friendly products designed of superior quality.

A lot of customers have also testified about the product's results. However, the expensive criteria prevent many from having Pennzoil in their engines.

The one size fits all strictly does not apply here, and both these companies adhere to the same.