Both contenders are formulated for modern turbocharged engines. Both can be mixed with other synthetic and conventional engine oils, and are suited for all types of vehicles in all sorts of conditions. Platinum is designed through PurePlus Technology to provide ultimate engine performance while High Mileage is made for the same purpose but for vehicles having more than 75,000 miles on their odometers.
Platinum is fully synthetic engine oil that is made up of natural gas, instead of crude oil as its base stock, and advanced additives. It meets the ILSAC GF-6A and API SP standards which ensure enhanced engine performance, better fuel economy, and defense against Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LPSI). Its flowing characteristics in extremely cold temperatures are extraordinary.
It is conventional engine oil that is made from group III base oil and innovative additives to enhance its sludge protection and anti-wear abilities in extreme conditions. It is specially designed to protect high mileage engines in stop-and-go driving conditions. It also helps in preventing engine seals from aging and stops the leakage of oil in high mileage engines.
| Specifications | Pennzoil Platinum | Pennzoil High Mileage |
| Oil Type | Synthetic | Conventional |
| Engine Category | Diesel / Gasoline | Diesel / Gasoline |
| ILSAC Standard | GF-6A | GF-5 |
| API Standard | SP | SN Plus |
| Viscosity Grades | SAE 0W – 20, 10W – 30, 5W – 20, 5W – 30, 10W – 60 | SAE 5W – 20, 5W – 30, 10W – 30, 10W – 40 |
| Cost (5W – 30) | $23.97, 5 Quart | $18.17, 5 Quart |
| Oil Drainage, miles | 7000 | 10,000 |
| Additives | Pour point depressants, Anti-wear additives Cleaning agents | Cleaning agents, Anti-wear additives, Premium seal conditioners |
| ACEA | A1/B1 | A1/B1 |
Table of Contents
Reducing Engine Wear-Off
Engine wear-off is inevitable over time and could lead to engine failure. Overheating, oil thinning, improper vehicle operation, hydrocracking or even corrosion could be the reason for engine wear off. That’s why anti-wear additives are being added to engine oils. Zinc, phosphorus, boron, and molybdenum are considered to be the most popular anti-wear additives these days and their concentration in a lubricant will determine its anti-wear ability.
By the tested result given below, we can state that High Mileage has more amount of anti-wear additives than its competitor. Hence when it comes to the engine’s safety and protection, High Mileage would be a better choice.
| Additive | Quantity in Pennzoil Platinum 5W – 30 (ppm) | Quantity in Pennzoil High Mileage 5W – 30 (ppm) |
| Zinc | 732 | 882 |
| Phosphorous | 604 | 768 |
| Boron | 224 | 110 |
| Molybdenum | 83 | 258 |
Comparison of Viscosity
The viscosity of any liquid can be described as the internal friction between the adjacent moving layers, and if we take the division of this viscosity by the density of the liquid then the outcome would be the kinematic viscosity. The higher the kinematic viscosity of a liquid, the more it will resist flow and hence more force would be required to circulate it in the engine. High Mileage has higher kinematic viscosity than its competitor at 40o and 100o C as well.
The change in kinematic viscosity by the change in temperature can be expressed in the viscosity index. The higher the value of the viscosity index, the lower will be the effect of temperature change on a liquid’s viscosity. Hence, Platinum will be less influenced by the temperature change than its competitor.
The pour point is the minimum temperature below which a lubricant would not be able to flow in the engine. Platinum would be best suited for extreme cold weather since its pour point is lower than its competitor.
| Parameter | Pennzoil Platinum 5W – 30 | Pennzoil High Mileage 5W – 30 |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 40o C | 53.9cSt | 64.6 cSt |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 100o C | 9.8 cSt | 10.67 cSt |
| Pour Point | -48o C | -45 o C |
| Viscosity Index | 170 | 156 |
Catalytic Converter Performance
A catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system of an engine to convert harmful emission gases into less toxic ones. Its performance ability does get affected sometimes by the poisoning of phosphorous and zinc ash. This ash forms in the engine when a minor quantity of engine oil burns out by leaking into the combustion chamber. The anti-wear additives, zinc, and phosphorus, in the engine oils also get burned along and get converted into ash.
The amount of phosphorous and zinc in High Mileage is higher than its competitor, meaning that more quantities of ash would produce if this engine oil gets burned in the combustion chamber. So from the safety perspective, it would be wise to prefer Platinum.
| Engine Oil | Quantity of Zinc | Quantity of Phosphorous |
| Pennzoil Platinum 5W – 30 | 732 ppm | 604 ppm |
| Pennzoil High Mileage 5W – 30 | 882 ppm | 768 ppm |
Reduction of Sludge build
Engine oil breaks down on a molecular level, at high-temperature conditions, and gets mixed up with dirt, water vapors, coolant gas, and contamination to form a sticky solution called sludge. To remove the sludge, oil manufacturers add up cleaning detergents to engine oils. Commonly added cleaning detergents are calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Their collective amount in an engine oil would decide its sludge removing power.
From the tested data given below, we can see that the amount of cleaning detergents especially calcium in High Mileage is greater than its opponent. Hence, it would be a better option among the contenders if your priority is sludge removal.
| Additive | Quantity in Pennzoil Platinum 5W – 30 (ppm) | Quantity Pennzoil High Mileage 5W – 30 (ppm) |
| Magnesium | 631 | 10 |
| Sodium | 0 | 5 |
| Calcium | 1033 | 2475 |
Oil Burn-off protection
At elevated temperature conditions, lubricant does get evaporated and burns off. Its tendency to evaporate and combust off depends upon its flashpoint and volatility respectively. The flashpoint can be understood as the maximum temperature above which an engine oil would burn off if it has been provided with a source of ignition. By that definition, we can state that Platinum will burn off sooner than High Mileage since its flash point is comparatively lower. Hence in elevated temperature conditions, the best choice among the contenders would be High Mileage.
| Parameter | Pennzoil Platinum 5W – 30 | Pennzoil High Mileage 5W – 30 |
| Flash Point | 207 o C | 212 o C |
Oil Change Frequency Comparison
Due to oxidation and many side reactions of the combustion in the engine, the creation of many harmful acids takes place. To neutralize these acids, many additives of basic nature are being mixed into lubricants. The concentration of these bases would determine their neutralizing ability, and once it reaches its climax, the engine oil is needed to be drained. Its concentration can be measured by a parameter known as Total Base Number (TBN). TBN of High Mileage is comparatively higher than its opponent, and it would take more time to be drained. So the oil change frequency of High Mileage will be inferior to its competitor.
| Parameter | Pennzoil Platinum 5W – 30 | Pennzoil High Mileage 5W – 30 |
| TBN (mg KOH/g) | 7.8 | 9.72 |
Cost Comparison
The cost of 5 quarts of Pennzoil Conventional High Mileage 5W – 30 and Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil is $18.17 and $23.97 respectively. Platinum is more expensive due to its ultimate performance in cold weather conditions and its superior API and ILSAC ratings.
Summary
- Platinum is full synthetic engine oil and High Mileage is conventional engine oil.
- High Mileage would affect the performance of the catalytic converter more than its rival.
- The wear protection and sludge removing abilities of High Mileage are superior over its competitor.
- High Mileage is to be preferred in elevated temperature conditions while Platinum would be the best choice for cold weather.
- High Mileage would resist more to flow and its viscosity would also get more affected by the change in temperature.
- Oil change frequency of High Mileage is lower than Platinum.
- Platinum is more costly than its opponent.