Question For Users Of Valvoline

lesZ71 · March 22, 2009

I have a 2004 ext. cab Z71 with ~43k miles on it. I have been using Valvoline 5w30 (dino oil) and changing the oil when the Oil Life Monitor on the DIC gets down to 20% or so. For my driving conditions this is usually around 4k miles between oil changes. I am considering changing over Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic. My question is will it be worth it? Will I see any difference in mpg? I have done a lot of reading on this forum about dino vs. synthetic, but I would like to get some feedback from other users who have done what I am thinking of doing.

robertmagni · March 22, 2009

Amsoil is my personal choice I only change it once a year, never had an oil related problem.

Robert

zibzer · March 22, 2009

I have a 2004 ext. cab Z71 with ~43k miles on it. I have been using Valvoline 5w30 (dino oil) and changing the oil when the Oil Life Monitor on the DIC gets down to 20% or so. For my driving conditions this is usually around 4k miles between oil changes. I am considering changing over Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic. My question is will it be worth it? Will I see any difference in mpg? I have done a lot of reading on this forum about dino vs. synthetic, but I would like to get some feedback from other users who have done what I am thinking of doing.

I love Valvoline. Had a 1998 S10 with 250,000kms on it and still ran like a champ

have a 2000 silverado with 230,000kms and running like a champ.

I used dino, Maxlife, Maxlife synthetic.

I use maxlife now. I didn't notice any mileage improvements with the synthetic, so i didn't bother using it again.

good luck!

Outbacker · March 22, 2009

Will you see a difference in MPG? I seriously doubt it, actually I would confidently say no you will not see a difference. I use synthetic oil for 2 reasons: cold engine starts (better lubrication in cold weather) and high temperatures lubricity. A syn oil will provide better lubrication at higher engine temperatures. That is why I use synthetic oil, and what I use is not a issue. I use Mobil 1, but would switch to Valvoline syn oil if Mobil 1 was not available.

Zembonez · March 22, 2009

I like Valvoline stuff. I've used their Valcoline Racing formula for years in my cars and I now have Valvoline Full Synthetic in my truck (switched over from Mobil1). You won't see any MPG increases but you can run longer change intervals quite safely. I change mine every 5000 miles but many people are running 7500 miles with Synthetic.

MikeInCtown · March 22, 2009

I noe use synthetic in all my cars. Not sure I ever saw an mpg increase. However you will normally always feel a smoother engine and may see a slight increase after any fresh oil change. I found you keep those increases longer. I've use Valvoline syn now for ove a year or two since it's been on salle or I get it at WM for $20 for 5 quarts. They raised the price though so now they have Q full syn for $18 a 5 quart jug. Switching over to that on the oil changes coming up next weekend.

Fyrcaptain · March 22, 2009

M1 user for over 15 years in everything from the lawn mower to the sporty car, but have been having second thoughts since they changed their formula / base stock several years ago and now Valvoline's current claim is that their synthetic beat M1, I may make the switch......especially since they are both sold at Wally's and readily available.

lesZ71 · March 22, 2009

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I should be fine should I decide to make the switch from regular 5w30 Valvoline to 5w30 Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic. I have read where some folks recommend that after switching to synthetic that you do another oil change at ~1k miles. The purpose of this seems to be that it sort of cleanses out all of the sludge (if there is any).

JoshRDavis.84 · March 23, 2009

I just switched to Valvoline Synpower about 4500 miles ago. I dont think I noticed any MPG differences. I plan on going 6,000 between changes.

ch00sen1 · March 23, 2009

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I should be fine should I decide to make the switch from regular 5w30 Valvoline to 5w30 Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic. I have read where some folks recommend that after switching to synthetic that you do another oil change at ~1k miles. The purpose of this seems to be that it sort of cleanses out all of the sludge (if there is any).

I've heard it's best to use a blend when going from one to another. Not sure why or if this is just old school.

c4cruiser · March 23, 2009

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I should be fine should I decide to make the switch from regular 5w30 Valvoline to 5w30 Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic. I have read where some folks recommend that after switching to synthetic that you do another oil change at ~1k miles. The purpose of this seems to be that it sort of cleanses out all of the sludge (if there is any).

I've heard it's best to use a blend when going from one to another. Not sure why or if this is just old school.

Could be that a synthetic blend will loosen up any deposits like a full synthetic would do but at a lower cost compared to a full synthetic. Synthetics have been know to cause oil leaks but that is due to the detergents loosening up deposits where leaks would have started. That's probably more the case with high mileage motors.

When I bought my 08 last August, I decided to gradually go with synthetic. I did change the factory fill after 1400 miles but used regular dino (Chevron 5W-30). After 3100 more miles, I switched to QS 5W-30 synthetic blend as I got a freebie oil change from the dealer. When the next change is due in another 3 months, I 'll go to a full synthetic.

I tow my Corvette about 8 times a year and the towed weight is 5400. I use 5W-30 Mobil-1 for both Vettes so guess I'll just use that. Not the extended life stuff, just the regular Mobil-1 in 5W30.

ascali · March 23, 2009

have tried M1, Castro Syn, Valvoline Synpower, and Shell dino in the past 9 yrs. I even mixed them sometime. no different, be honest. my 5,3 is still going strong(160000km).

lesZ71 · March 27, 2009

How many of you guys use the DIC Oil Life Monitor? As I stated in my initial post, I typically let it get down to ~20%, then change the oil. This is usually around 3500 to 4000 miles based on the driving that I do. If I switch to full synthetic, will it be reflected in the Oil Life Monitor? Will I see ~ 6k or so miles when the Oil Life Monitor reaches 20%....? More curious than concerned.

alaska511 · March 28, 2009

How many of you guys use the DIC Oil Life Monitor? As I stated in my initial post, I typically let it get down to ~20%, then change the oil. This is usually around 3500 to 4000 miles based on the driving that I do. If I switch to full synthetic, will it be reflected in the Oil Life Monitor? Will I see ~ 6k or so miles when the Oil Life Monitor reaches 20%....? More curious than concerned.

The OLM has no clue what oil you are using. It will reflect the use of dino oil.

csheatz · March 28, 2009

I use maxlife in my wifes car and for a 4cyl with 105k on it it still runs like it did when it had 7 miles on it, even cold starts never idles over 1100 rpm. I use Valvoline full synthetic in the truck and change every 5000 miles. I dont bother with that OLM, it says I am normally between 40 and 50% when I change, but we could go on all day about oil change intervals and what not.

I used M1 until last summer, also changed that at 5000 miles!