Switching over from Costco Oil
What does Valvoline Restore and Protect do?
According to the manufacturer, Valvoline Restore & Protect Full Synthetic Motor Oil is designed not just to lubricate your engine like regular motor oil, but to actively clean and protect it as well: its proprietary Active Clean Technology works to remove up to 100% of harmful carbon and sludge deposits that build up on pistons and other internal surfaces when used as directed, while its Liqui-Shield formula helps prevent new deposits from forming and protects against future engine wear. Using this oil over multiple oil changes can help restore your engine toward factory-clean condition and maintain smoother operation, improved efficiency, and long-term performance.
My Unscientific Experiment
I’m going to keep it simple. No oil samples will be sent into labs for testing, but rather something more basic:
- Use Valvoline Restore and Protect for 12,000+ miles
- Change Oil first 2000, next 2000, then every 3000 miles after
- Inspect oil drain plug magnet
- Cut open and Inspect oil filter pleats
- Share results
- Use only OEM Toyota Oil Filters
- Monitor Oil consumption (currently about 1 quart per 5000 miles)
Oil Change #1 – 2230 miles
- LAST OIL CHANGE: 241,069
- THIS OIL CHANGE: 243,299
- TOTAL MILES on Valvoline R&P: 2230
First oil change summary
- After only 2230 miles, oil was filthy
- Oil filter pleats contained debris, more than I expected
- Drain plug magnet fairly filthy w/ particles
- Oil consumption – no noticeable difference
Oil Change #2 – 4106 miles
- LAST OIL CHANGE: 243,299
- THIS OIL CHANGE: 245,175
- MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE: 1876
- TOTAL MILES on Valvoline R&P: 4106
Second oil change summary
- After 4101 total miles on VRP, oil seems dirtier than oil change #1
- Oil filter pleats not as dirty as previous oil change #1
- Drain plug magnet not as dirty as oil change #1
- Oil consumption – no noticeable difference
Oil Change #3 – 7100 miles
- LAST OIL CHANGE: 245,175
- THIS OIL CHANGE: 248,175
- MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE: 3000
- TOTAL MILES on Valvoline R&P: 7100
Third oil change summary
Oil Change #4 – 10,100 miles
- LAST OIL CHANGE: 248,175
- THIS OIL CHANGE: 251,175
- MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE: 3000
- TOTAL MILES on Valvoline R&P: 10,100
Fourth oil change summary
Oil Change #5 – 13,100 miles
- LAST OIL CHANGE: 251,175
- THIS OIL CHANGE: 254,175
- MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE: 3000
- TOTAL MILES on Valvoline R&P: 13,100
Fifth oil change summary
