These are “Fully Synthetic” motor oils with Platinum having support for both diesel and gasoline engines while SynPower is only compatible with gasoline-type engines.
SynPower combats the principal sources of engine stress, heat, deposits, and wear from start-up to shut down. It is suitable for use in normally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline engines in passenger automobiles and light commercial vehicles. Its low-temperature viscosity control allows for a simple cold start while also giving optimal cold start protection. This oil provides superior wear prevention and increases engine life without affecting emissions system lifetime. It also provides increased durability and decreased oil usage.
Platinum is a catalytic converter-friendly oil with exceptional oxidation resistance at high temperatures. It includes a good selection of detergents to help decrease sludge formation. To guard against engine wear, a moderate amount of anti-wear chemicals is also included. It also performs effectively in cold weather situations. This oil keeps pistons up to 45 percent cleaner than the industry standard requirements. It is built for high-performance engines.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
| Specifications | Valvoline SynPower (5W-30) | Pennzoil Platinum (5W-30) |
| Oil Type | Fully Synthetic | Fully Synthetic |
| Engine Type | Gasoline | Gasoline / Diesel |
| Available viscosity grades | 0W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W -20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-50 | 0W-16, 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30 |
| ILSAC | GF-5 | GF-6A |
| API | SN | SP |
| Cost (1 Quart.) | 11.11$ | 6.82$ |
| Oil change frequency (Km) | 8000 – 9000 | 8000 – 11,000 |
| ACEA | A1 | A1/B1 |
Catalytic Converter Performance Comparison
The most often used anti-wear additives in engine lubricants are zinc and phosphorous. Their drawback is that they produce poisonous ash, which impairs the catalytic converter’s performance. This ash is formed when a little amount of engine oil escapes into the combustion chamber and burns. The quantity of these two chemicals in engine oil influences the amount of ash produced and, as a result, the effect on the catalytic converter.
Because the amounts of zinc and phosphorous in SynPower are higher than in Platinum, their effect on the catalytic converter will be stronger.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Zinc Concentration (ppm) | Phosphorus Concentration (ppm) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 732 | 604 |
| Valvoline SynPower | 782 | 622 |
Sludge Build-up Reduction Comparison
The oxidation process occurs when engine oil breaks apart owing to high temperatures and interacts with oxygen. Then it interacts with dirt, impurities, and waste in the engine to form sludge and deposits, thickening the engine oil and slowing its flow. Lubricant manufacturers came up with a solution by putting cleaning agents into the engine oil. Magnesium, Sodium, and Calcium are the most often utilized cleansers, and the amount of each in lubricating oil dictates its ability to clean.
SynPower has higher cleaning agent concentrations than its competitors, making it a more potent sludge and deposit removing motor oil.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Sodium Concentration (ppm) | Magnesium Concentration (ppm) | Calcium Concentration (ppm) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 0 | 631 | 1033 |
| Valvoline SynPower | 285 | 2 | 1880 |
Comparison of Oil Burn-off Comparison
The pace at which oil is used is related to its volatility, which is governed by the presence of lighter molecules within the oil. This indicates that fluid with a higher fraction of simple molecules will have a higher fluidity rate and will evaporate quickly when heated. Such oil will have a lower flash point, resulting in less oil burn-off prevention and a greater usage rate.
The lower flashpoint temperature of Platinum indicates that it contains more lightweight molecules and has a higher volatility rate. As a result, this oil provides little protection against oil burn-off.
Because there are fewer lighter molecules in SynPower, therefore it has a greater flash point and is less brittle than its competitor. As a consequence, this oil will not burn off readily, reducing oil usage.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Flash Point Temperatures (Degrees Celsius) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 207 |
| Valvoline SynPower | 230 |
Comparison of Engine Wear-off Protection
Anti-wear additives are added into the oil to form a protective screen over moving engine parts, keeping them from sliding against one another. Because wear-causing friction is caused by metal-to-metal contact, anti-wear additives work by reducing friction and increasing the oil’s wear protection.
Platinum has more anti-wear additives, such as zinc, boron, molybdenum, and phosphorus combined than its competition. As a consequence, it will outperform in terms of wear resistance since the high concentrations of anti-wear additives will build a considerably stronger and thicker boundary barrier surrounding the moving engine parts.
SynPower, on the other hand, includes the same anti-wear compounds as its competitor but in a lesser overall proportion; hence, this oil will not perform as well in terms of wear reduction as its competitor. As a result, the engine will be less resistant to wear.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Zinc Concentration (ppm) | Phosphorus Concentration (ppm) | Boron Concentration (ppm) | Molybdenum Concentration (ppm) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 732 | 604 | 224 | 83 |
| Valvoline SynPower | 782 | 622 | 7 | 12 |
Viscosity Comparison
Kinematic viscosity is a measure of oil’s ability to distribute momentum. An increase in kinematic viscosity suggests that momentum may be easily transferred between the layers and particles of the oil. The viscosity index assesses an oil’s ability to withstand changes in kinematic viscosity induced by temperature swings. The higher the viscosity index, the lower the temperature predicts changes in kinematic viscosity and vice versa. The pour point temperature is the temperature below which gravity prevents the liquid from flowing.
Platinum has lower kinematic viscosities between 40° and 100° C, indicating that it is a less effective oil at these temperatures. Its viscosity index is higher than that of its competitor because temperature changes have a lower effect on its kinematic viscosity.
The SynPower oil has a higher kinematic viscosity at 40° and 100° Celsius. Its viscosity index, however, is lower because temperature fluctuations have much of an effect on its kinematic viscosity.
Platinum is better in terms of pour points. Because it has a lower pour point temperature, meaning it frozes at a lower temperature than SynPower.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 o C (cSt) | Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 o C (cSt) | Viscosity Index (VI) | Pour point (Degrees Celsius) |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 53.9 | 9.8 | 170 | -48 |
| Valvoline SynPower | 61.6 | 10.8 | 167 | -45 |
Oil Change Frequency Comparison
TBN is one of several elements that impact how frequently you should replace your oil. TBN is an abbreviation for Total Base Number, which shows the total amount of base additives in the oil that may be utilized to neutralize acids produced during combustion. The concentration of these bases decreases with time as they are used. As a result, higher concentrations of these chemicals imply that the oil may be used for a longer period.
Platinum has a higher TBN, which allows for a change after a long duration i.e. 8000 to 11,000 Kms. The SynPower with such a low TBN, on the other hand, may only be used for 8000 to 9000 Kms.
| Oils in Comparison (5W-30 Grade oils) | TBN (Total Base Number) mg KOH/g |
| Pennzoil Platinum | 7.8 |
| Valvoline SynPower | 7.7 |
Quick Summary
| Characteristics | Valvoline SynPower | Pennzoil Platinum | |
| Chemical Strength | High | High | |
| Application Range | Medium – Low | Medium | |
| Compatibility with the Catalytic Converters | Low | Medium – Low | |
| Sludge Removal Capability | Medium | Medium – Low | |
| Viscosity Index | Medium | Medium – High | |
| Friction Elimination | Medium – High | Medium | |
| Hot climate Performance | Medium – High | Medium | |
| Cold climate Performance | Medium | Medium – High | |
| Temperature Resistivity | Medium – High | Medium | |
| Standards | Medium | Medium – High | |
| Economics | Medium | Medium – Low |
