Both Platinum and Ultra Platinum are formulated from natural gas instead of crude oil using Pure Plus technology. They are compatible with both the advanced turbocharged gasoline engines and the old diesel engines.
Platinum is a catalytic converter-friendly oil that provides good high-temperature oxidation resistivity. It has a decent total of detergents to reduce sludge production. A medium amount of anti-wear additives are also present to protect against engine wear. It provides a good performance in cold conditions as well.
Ultra has a higher figure of detergents to keep the engine clean. Its anti-wear ability is commendable due to the presence of strong anti-wear additives. It provides higher kinematic viscosities at all temperatures along with a higher viscosity index. Its oil change periods are longer, thanks to its superior TBN. This oil is also preferred in winter weather due to its efficient performance in cold conditions. It provides better fuel economy and prevents the loss of power in engines.
| Specifications | Pennzoil Platinum (5W-30) | Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (5W-30) |
| Oil Type | Fully Synthetic | Fully Synthetic |
| Engine Type | Gasoline / Diesel | Gasoline / Diesel |
| Available viscosity grades | 0W-16, 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30 | 0W-20, 0W-40, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30 |
| ILSAC | GF-6A | GF-6A |
| API | SP | SP |
| Cost (5 Quart.) | 23.97$ | 24.97$ |
| Oil change frequency (Km) | 8000 – 11,000 | 16,000 |
| ACEA | A1/B1 | A1/B1, A5/B5 |
Table of Contents
Evaluation of Engine Wear-off Protection
Anti-wear additives reduce the engine wear by forming a lubricating film around its moving parts. This film doesn’t allow the metal surfaces to slide over one another, thus, reducing the friction between them. A higher number of these additives means a tougher and highly resistant oil layer will be formed around the engine parts.
Both these oils have zinc and phosphorus as their main anti-wear additives and their quantities are higher in Ultra, whereas the lesser anti wear additives, boron and molybdenum are higher in Platinum. Ultra also has a minimal amount of titanium to enhance its anti-wear performance, resulting in a better wear protective oil due to the presence of a higher number of anti-wear additives, relatively.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Zinc Concentration (ppm) | Phosphorus Concentration (ppm) | Boron Concentration (ppm) | Molybdenum Concentration (ppm) | Titanium Concentration (ppm) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 732 | 604 | 224 | 83 | 0 |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum | 836 | 709 | 138 | 56 | 2 |
Viscosity Comparison
Kinematic viscosity is defined as the power of a motor oil to transfer momentum all the way through its sheets, therefore, oil with advanced kinematic viscosity will operate improved. Furthermore, the oil with higher resistance to temperature-led viscosity changes will have a higher viscosity index. While pour point is the temperature below which the oil will be unable to flow.
The kinematic viscosities of Ultra at both 40° and 100°C are superior to its colleague which means it will work well. Similarly, the kinematic viscosity of Ultra is lesser compared to that of Platinum, when temperatures increase from 40° to 100°C. This means it could better resist the effect of temperature changes; hence, this oil’s viscosity index is higher. Both these oils have an equal pour point temperature which means they will perform equally well in chilly conditions.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30) | Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 o C (mm2/s) | Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 o C (mm2/s) | Viscosity Index (VI) | Pourpoint temperature (Degrees Celsius) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 53.9 | 9.8 | 170 | -48 |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum | 56.3 | 10.3 | 173 | -48 |
Catalytic Converter Performance Comparison
The anti-wear compounds, zinc and phosphorus turn into ash when the oil burns off. This ash clogs the outlet of catalytic converter and hinders its performance.
The zinc and phosphorus concentration in Ultra is higher compared to Platinum. This means that it will produce a above average volume of slag, affecting the catalytic converter greatly. Thus, Platinum is the better oil comparatively, in terms of catalytic converter performance.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Zinc Concentration (ppm) | Phosphorus Concentration (ppm) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 732 | 604 |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum | 836 | 709 |
Sludge Build-up Reduction Comparison
Sludge is produced as a reaction of oxidized oil, with the moisture, dirt, and other impurities. Detergents are added to the oil to prevent the slush develop.. An oil with a higher figure of detergents is preferable for sludge cleaning.
Platinum uses a blend of mutually magnesium and calcium compounds as its key detergents. Its calcium concentration is lower whereas magnesium is present in higher quantities. There is no sodium available while silicon quantity is higher in this oil, boosting its anti-foam abilities.
Ultra has almost more than double the amount of calcium compared to that in other oils, which is its main detergent. It has some magnesium and a minute quantity of sodium to assist in slop clean-up as well. Therefore, its sludge removing capability is higher than its competitor. However, its silicon concentration is lower than its counterpart, resulting in a lower anti-foam ability.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Sodium Concentration (ppm) | Magnesium Concentration (ppm) | Calcium Concentration (ppm) | Silicon Concentration (ppm) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 0 | 631 | 1033 | 4 |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum | 1 | 18 | 2597 | 3 |
Comparison of Oil Burn-off Comparison
Engine oil with a elevated figure of light fragments will burn up instantly, as the lighter molecules cannot resist the high temperature and break down easily, increasing the oil’s volatility. This causes the oil to reach its flash point (ignition point) at a lower temperature.
The flash point temperature of Platinum is higher which means it has a smaller digit of light particles. Thus, it will provide better oil burn-off protection. Ultra, on the other hand, with a smaller flash point degree is comparatively more volatile and will burn off quickly.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30) | Flash Point Temperature (Degrees Celsius) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 207 |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum | 203 |
Oil Change Frequency Comparison
The alkaline additives in the oil are evaluated in the form of its Total base number. They are added to counterbalance the harmful acid established during the burning process and their quantity decreases with time, as they are utilized. This indicates that the motor oil with a greater quantity of these additives could be used for a long interval of time.
Platinum has a reduce TBN, therefore, its oil change time is shorter up to 8000 to 11,000 Km, whereas, Ultra with a Higher TBN could be used for a lengthier oil exchange gap of 16,000 Km. This results in a lower oil change frequency of this oil compared to that of its competitor.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30) | Total Base Number mg of KOH/g |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 7.8 |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum | 8.7 |
Price Differences
Ultra is slightly costlier than Platinum due to its better performance. A 5 Quart. Bottle of Platinum is available for 23.97 US dollars and the same bottle of Ultra costs about 24.97 US dollars, just a dollar higher than its peer. Because of the higher cleaning, lubrication performance, and negligible price difference, Ultra is more cost-effective oil.
Quick Summary
- These engine oils are fully synthetic oils formulated for modern turbocharged gasoline engines and old diesel engines.
- Platinum produces a lower quantity of ash and thus, works better with the catalytic converters.
- The enormous concentration of calcium in Ultra gives it an upper hand over its equivalent in terms of sludge reduction.
- Platinum will provide higher burn-off security since its flash point is higher.
- The greater numbers of anti-wear additives in Ultra allow it to reduce the engine wear effectively in comparison with the other oil.
- The kinematic viscosity of the Ultra is elevated at mutually the medium and high temperature
- Ultra has a higher viscosity index because it has a lower effect on its kinematic viscosity due to a temperature change.
- Both these oils perform equally well in winter since their pour points temperatures are the same.
- Due to a higher TBN, Ultra will allow longer oil change intervals. Therefore, its oil change frequency will be lower.
- Ultra being slightly overpriced than Platinum, is the more cost-efficient oil because of its better performance.