Valvoline Restore & Protect Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT

This oil is, like any other oil, a good quality lubricant. It also has some chemistry that makes bold claims about cleaning your engine. As the kind of person who sends my oil off to an oil analysis company, I get to peek behind the curtain.The product stays within spec and performs as well as other top tier synthetic oils. I did notice a good deal more engine cleaning. After an initial spice of typical metals in the oil, the levels dropped much lower than is normal. I also saw an increase in compression, fuel economy and a slight reduction in heat production and noise.So, what's happening?The main failure mode for modern fuel injected cars is a combination of two elements. The first is the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system recycling some exhaust into the air intake. This brings with it some soot and other hard deposits in an unburned oil/fuel mix that likes to sit on the back of the air intake valves. This causes seat wear, shaft wear and erodes sealing effectiveness over time. These deposits are very hard to treat/clean without physically removing trhe air intake and getting in there.The second element is that newer vehicles are starting to use lower compression piston rings to reduce friction against the cylinder walls. Finer machining tolerances make this possible, and fuel efficiency requirements make it necessary. Alas, this comes at the cost of reduced contact and a slight reduction in oil control. Over time, low pressure piston rings are more prone to allowing oil consumption in the combustion chamber and encourage deposits to clock up the rings. After typically 100-140k miles, even with perfect oil changes, the piston rings start to perform less well as they gum up with deposits. This starts a chain of events that causes cylinder wall scoring, ring wear, reducing compression, increasing combustion deposits entering the oil, thereby encouraging faster oil breakdown and mechanical wear elsewhere in the engine.This oil claims, and the oil analysis backs up, that the oil actively reduces these piston ring deposits. This has the effect of restoring ring functions of sealing and oil control. This prevents a whole group of secondary issues, while also improving fuel economy and reducing friction wear.I don't see a clear reduction in valve deposits, but I do see they have stopped accumulating. This led me to carefully clean these deposits away mechanically. A followup visual inspection after 7,500 miles showed no new deposits. Compression is up. Oil changes since switching to this Restore and Protect oil shows a reduction in combustion contaminants, reduced wear metals, improved acidity control, and a complete elimination of varnish. It's all gone....re-dissolved into the oil and filters or flushed away on the next oil change. Under the head covers, the top end is MUCH cleaner. I'm 23,000 miles into this oil on a well maintained 125k mile 3.6L V6 that shows wear well within manufacturer new tolerances.So yes, understanding how this oil works, I recommend it. There's a lot of bold claims, opinions and 'woo' out there. Lots of snake oil products and claims. This oil does what it claims.My only advice if you switch to this oil on an >75,000 mile car is simple and sensible: change the oil and filter, then after 500 miles just change the oil filter again. The oil will have released a lot of varnish containing trapped wear metals, grit, particles and waxes/gums. These will collect quickly in the filter over the first 500 miles. Swap those out with a new filter. They're cheap.Finally, as piston ring tensions drop, people need to reset their thinking on oil consumption. We're used to high tension piston rings that when working well almost entirely prevent oil consumption. We can go 10k miles on 6 quarts of oil and there's still 5.5 quarts in there at the end. Neat! With these new lower tension piston rings, the manufacturers are now accepting an oil consumption of as much as a quart per 2,500 miles. That's in a perfect condition clean engine. With today's extended oil service intervals of 7,500 or 10,000 miles (I have opinions, hoo boy do I have opinions!) it is quite reasonable and even likely that oil top ups may be required in these newer cars. Personally, I never go beyond 7,500 miles or 375 engine on hours - whichever comes first. I also check oil levels every 1000 miles regardless.So, yes, I'll recommend this oil for the above reasons, but also because it's a perfectly fine and usable full synthetic oil of high quality. It has a quality base and a very modern additive package designed for modern cars and older engines alike. It is currently the only oil on the market shown to have this new cleaning action. Until competitors catch up, this does seem to be the oil to beat if you want to baby your engine for 250,000 miles or more.Dave says: two thumbs up.

This is my go to oil for gasoline engines. I've only been using it for a few oil changes, but given what Valvoline claims, this oil is going to keep my vehicles running longer & better than other oils would, because of the piston & ring cleaning action. I had a Honda Accord which I loved, but succumbed to excessive oil consumption. Had this oil existed back then, and I used it, I'd still be driving it.

Works as promised.However, as it cleans your engine, it dirties your oil filter. Depending on how much sludge has deposited through out your engine, it's going to shorten the lifespan of your oil filter quickly.I used a good quality engine flush before using this product to get a head start on the cleaning process and I am only going to run this oil for 500 miles.Knowing me, I will most likely cut the oil filter open and check the filter paper.

Excellent Oil I highly recommend. My car is running better than it has in years and gas milage is up a few miles a gallon. Looking inside the oil cap the engine is so clean it doesn't even have that light orange tint you get using standard Oil. This Oil really does clean, even frees up sticky rings. I changed it at 5,000 miles to get the loosened crud out of the engine.

A oil that is a internal engine cleaner as well......with the first use change oil and filter at 2,500 miles then go back 5,000 miles as required for synthetics...........cleaned and quieted my engine....been using it ever since !

I have been using this oil in my 18 hyundai for the past 20k miles. I've been using less oil in between oil changes, my summer fuel mileage is at an all time high, and the engine isnt so rattle on cold starts.

Valvoline's "Restore & Protect" motor oil is a true game-changer for car owners looking to optimize engine performance and longevity. After a full oil change cycle in my 120,000-mile vehicle, I'm genuinely impressed by the results.Key Performance Improvements (5/5):This oil truly delivers on its "Restore & Protect" promise:Smoother & Quieter Operation: My engine's idle became noticeably smoother and quieter, feeling like reduced friction.Improved Responsiveness: The car feels more responsive, with a subtle but definite restoration of power and efficiency.Better Fuel Economy: I observed a slight increase (0.5-1 MPG) in average fuel economy, indicating improved engine efficiency.Reduced Oil Consumption: My older vehicle typically required top-offs, but with Restore & Protect, no additional oil was needed between changes, suggesting better sealing.These tangible improvements strongly suggest the oil's cleaning and protective technology is actively working, giving the engine a "rejuvenation."Value & Overall Impression (5/5):While slightly pricier than basic oils, the added benefits of restoration and protection make Valvoline Restore & Protect an excellent investment. It can potentially delay costly engine work for older vehicles and acts as a superb preventative measure for newer ones. The peace of mind alone is worth it.This oil is more than just lubrication; it's a proactive maintenance solution. If you want to extend your engine's life, enjoy a smoother ride, and improve efficiency, Valvoline Restore & Protect is highly recommended. It's now my go-to motor oil!Pros:Actively cleans and protects engine.Improves smoothness, reduces noise.Enhances responsiveness and efficiency.Potentially improves fuel economy.Great for extending engine life.Excellent value for benefits.Cons:Slightly higher price point (but worth it!).