Both candidates are Valvoline fully synthetic engines oils, made from group 4 base oil and innovative additives, and designed for gasoline engines. Both of them meet the ACEA A1 standard, which means they have low HTHS (High Temperature High Shear).
Advanced is formulated from synthetic base stock and advanced additive technology for light gasoline vehicles in hard-working conditions. It provides thermal stability and lowers the evaporation of engine oil in the extreme environment. It meets the SP API and GF-6A ILSAC standards which suggest that it would deliver improved fuel economy, Low-Speed Pre-Ignition, and compatibility with emission control systems. It provides extraordinary wear protection to engines in resilient conditions.
Compare Valvoline Advanced with Pennzoil Full Synthetic Oil
SynPower is specifically formulated for modern gasoline vehicles. With a focus on reducing exhaust emission while maintaining the engine’s durability. It meets the API SN and ILSAC GF-5 standards which ensure the improvement of deposit protection, fuel economy, and seal compatibility. Its flow in the cold start is phenomenal for maximum cold start protection
| Specifications | Valvoline Advanced | Valvoline SynPower |
| Viscosity grades | SAE 10W-30, 0W-20, 0W-16, 0W-40, 5W-20, 5W-30, | SAE 0W – 20, 0W – 30, 0W – 40, 5W – 20, 5W – 30, 5W – 40, 10W – 50 |
| Engine Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| ILSAC Standard | GF-6A | GF-5 |
| Oil Type | Full Synthetic | Full Synthetic |
| API Standard | SP | SN |
| Cost of 5W – 30 | 7.28$, 1 Quart | 10$, 1 Quart |
| Additives | Anti-wear agents, cleaning detergents, Dispersants, Antioxidants | Anti-wear agents, cleaning detergents, Viscosity improvers, Pour point depressant |
| Oil change interval | 6,000 miles | 5,000 miles |
| ACEA | A1 | A1 |
Table of Contents
Viscosity Comparison
If we divide the ratio of viscosity to the density of any liquid at a certain temperature, then the result would be known as the kinematic viscosity. The higher the kinematic viscosity, the more the liquid would resist flow. By that rule, we can see in the given characteristic table that Advance has more kinematic viscosity than its opponent at a certain temperature.
Kinematic viscosity does get affected by the change in temperature, but it varies from liquid to liquid. This change can be measured in a unitless number known as viscosity index. Its value is directly related to the change in viscosity due to temperature change. Meaning that the viscosity of Advanced would get affected more due to temperature change than its competitor since its viscosity index is comparatively lower.
In cold weather conditions, engine oil could drop its flowing ability leading to the engine’s demise. But which engine oil would lose its flowing characteristic first depend upon its pour point. It is the minimum temperature below which an engine oil would lose its ability to flow effectively. If we compare the pour point of the contenders, we can conclude that SynPower will be a more preferable choice in cold weather since its pour point value is lower than its rival.
| Parameter | Valvoline Advanced 5W – 30 | Valvoline SynPower 5W – 30 |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 40o C | 64(cSt) | 61.6 (cSt) |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 100o C | 10.8 (cSt) | 10.8 (cSt) |
| Viscosity Index | 160 | 167 |
| Pour Point | -36 o C | -45 o C |
Comparing Oil Drainage Frequency
Oxidation, an inevitable side reaction of combustion, cause the formation of many acids inside an engine by breaking the engine oil on a molecular level. To neutralize these acids, lubricant manufacturers mix many additives of basic nature into engine oils. The concentration of the base in engine oil is determined by a term known as Total Base Number or TBN. When there is not enough base concentration left in the engine oil, its TBN value would drop and then the oil must be drained. By the tested result given below, we can state that Advance would last longer in the engine than its rival since its TBN is comparatively higher.
| Parameter | Valvoline Advanced 5W – 30 | Valvoline SynPower 5W – 30 |
| TBN, mg KOH/g | 8.7 | 7.7 |
Comparing Cost of these lubricants
The cost of single quart of Valvoline Advanced and SynPower Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 is 7.28$ and 10$ respectively. SynPower is more costly because of its superior sludge removing ability, and also its cold start protection.
Performance of Catalytic Converter
The performance of the catalytic convertor gets affected when phosphorous and zinc ash gets settle down on it and poison it. This ash comes into existence when a small amount of phosphorus and zinc, anti-wear additives, gets burned during combustion and hot temperature conditions. Their quantity in an engine oil determines how much ash would form and hence the magnitude of their effect on the catalytic converter.
By observing the results of the oil analysis given below, we can state that Advanced would be more harmful to catalytic converter than its competitor since it has more quantity of zinc and phosphorous in it.
| Engine Oil | Quantity of Zinc | Quantity of Phosphorous |
| Valvoline Advanced 5W – 30 | 836 ppm | 684 ppm |
| Valvoline SynPower 5W – 30 | 782 ppm | 622 ppm |
Minimizing Sludge build up
When an engine oil stays in extreme temperature conditions over an extended period, its molecules break down and combine with either moisture, fuel, coolant, or dirt. This leads to the creation of sludge, varnish, and deposit which affects the flow of engine oil by blocking its passage. To remove this sludge, lubricant manufacturers add up cleaning detergents into engine oils. The most common cleaning detergents are calcium, magnesium, and sodium, their concentration determines the cleaning ability of any engine oil.
By observing the results of the oil analysis given below, it is obvious that SynPower is superior and should be prioritized over its competitor in this regard.
| Additive | Quantity in Valvoline Advanced 5W – 30 | Quantity in Valvoline SynPower 5W – 30 |
| Sodium, ppm | 3 | 285 |
| Magnesium, ppm | 512 | 2 |
| Calcium, ppm | 1356 | 1880 |
Protection of Oil Burn-off
Due to worn valves, seals, and piston rings, engine oil could enter into the combustion chamber and burn off. It would lead to engine oil deficiency and eventually engine breakdown. Another reason for oil burn off could be the long time exposure of it to high-temperature conditions. In both cases, an engine oil would burn dependent on its flashpoint. It is the minimum temperature at which lubricant would combust when expose to ignition.
| Parameter | Valvoline Advanced 5W – 30 | Valvoline SynPower 5W – 30 |
| Flash Point | 221 o C | 230 o C |
By observing the given characteristic data, we can conclude that Advanced will burn quicker than its opponent because of having comparatively low flashpoint. So SynPower would be a preferable choice in high-temperature conditions.
Minimizing Engine Wear-Off
Engine wear-off could be the result of over-heating, mishandling, or even overloading. The point of the matter is that it is inevitable to avoid and would occur at some point. For engine safety purpose, many anti-wear additives such as boron, zinc, molybdenum and phosphorous are being added into lubricants. Their concentration will determine the wear protection ability of any engine oil.
By observing the results of the oil analysis given below, it is obvious that Advanced contains a comparatively high amount of all anti-wear additives. Hence, Advanced would be the best choice from engine’s safety point of view.
| Additive | Quantity in Valvoline Advanced 5W – 30 | Quantity in Valvoline SynPower 5W – 30 |
| Zinc, ppm | 836 | 782 |
| Phosphorous, ppm | 684 | 622 |
| Boron, ppm | 26 | 7 |
| Molybdenum, ppm | 269 | 12 |
Summary
- Both of the engines oils are fully synthetic and designed for gasoline engines.
- Advanced would affect catalytic converter more than SynPower.
- Sludge removing ability of SynPower is superior over its competitor.
- In cold and hot weather conditions, SynPower would be better than Advanced.
- Advanced provides better wear protection.
- Both of the contenders have low viscosity with Advanced being more sensitive to temperature change.
- Oil drainage frequency of Advanced would be lower than its competitor.