Valvoline Synthetic - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

placo1 · #1 04-26-2002, 10:17 PM

Ok, I know how much everyone hates oil questions.....how many times have we heard that one.

But I have a quick question. I hear everyone talking about Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec and Amsoil but I never hear anyone talking about Valvoline Synthetic.

Any reason why this is ignored during discussion. The reason I ask is that I currently have 15W50 Valvoline Full Synthetic in my 500 and I don't want it to be a problem.

Has anyone heard anything bad about the Valvoline, if so I'm do for an oil change.

Thanks for the help.

#2 04-27-2002, 09:39 AM

There is nothing BAD about Valvoline synthetic. I have heard recently that they like Castrol, Pennzoil and virtually all of the remaining commercial US bottlers are using a class III hydroisomerized base stock vs. the PAO of Amsoil and Mobil-1. This is not that big of a deal though and it is argued that a properly additivized class III can be just as good if not better than a mediaocre class IV.

So don't worry about it. If you want the best, buy Amsoil and feel free to contact me via e-mail with questions as to why it is the best.

Don
www.lubedealer.com/dstevens

rickjordan · #3 04-28-2002, 10:31 AM

I too wonder why no one makes mention of Valvoline Synpower. It may be a matter of what's widely known. I never heard of Amsoil until I started going to this website. I use Valvoline Synpower 5W-40 in my Passat which has the 1.8l turbo engine. On the back of the bottle it says it is "Mercedes-Benz 229.1 approved". Along with BMW High Performance Syn. oil Requirements, VW 500.00, 502.00 and 505.00 approved, all Rolls Royce/Bentley vehicles, and meets all Porsche performance requirements. The real important part for me is with regard to the European oil rating sys. A1,A2, and A3 for gas eng. None of Mobils xxW-30 oils meet the top rating of A3. Mobil does not sell any xxW-40 here yet, except at the local Mercedes dealer $$$$. I can not comment on Amsoil, I have never seen a container of their oil or researched their products. I would just stick with any oil that meets the A3 standard, which is for high performance and or long oil change interval requirements. The only Mobil 1 product that meets this standard is 15W-50. I have been thinking of switching my '83 TD from Chevron Delo 400 (conventional oil) to Mobil 1's 15W-50. I wasn't aware the Valvoline made a 15W-50. I'll have to go to their website and look it up. Problem for me is the availability of Synpower. Only my local NAPA store sells it and for the weight I use,I have to special order it.