Valvoline vs Castrol Motor Oil

We are going to make a comparison of two popular synthetic oils that you might be interested in purchasing. We will talk about the benefits and drawbacks.

They are loaded with everything you need to keep any motor lubricated. We will let you know whether these oils do these critical things to ensure you are getting your money’s worth. So, if you are interested in discovering whether Valvoline or Castrol comes out on top, keep reading.

What are the most popular Valvoline and Castrol brands of oil?

In the U.S., the most commonly used oils are 0w-20, 5w-20, and 5w-30. For high mileage cars, 10w-30 viscosity oils are most commonly used. Let’s take a look at these oils.

Castrol Edge 0w-20

Features:

• API: SP / SN PLUS / SN, ILSAC: GF-6, ACEA: A1/B1, ACEA C5, GM Dexos 1, gen2
• Superior performance against deposits, wear, and oxidation
• Superior engine protection vs conventional and synthetic blend oils
• Meets the needs of Honda, Toyota, Acura, Lexus, and other vehicles where the 0W-20 grade is recommended
• 42 percent better rating on fighting power-robbing deposits

Valvoline Advanced 0w-20

The product consists of a specially formulated Group IV oil stock base backed with special anti-wear additives. Not only do these help keep your engine running smoothly by providing minimal contact between moving parts, but the durable additives stay in the oil longer, giving your engine longer protection from wear and tear.

Features:

• API: SP / SN PLUS / SN,  ILSAC: GF-6A
• A powerful blend of additives provides long-lasting wear protection;
• Highly efficient at dissolving and preventing sludge formation;
• Reduces wear on engine parts by reducing friction;
• Protects engine from seizing in cold weather;
• Provides clean combustion, reduces fuel losses and engine emissions.
• It may only be suitable for smaller vehicles.

Castrol Edge 5w30 full synthetic

Castrol Edge is engine oil that resists viscosity degradation better than other synthetic and conventional oils.
It has a drain interval of 15,000 miles with the ability to protect your engine between vehicle oil changes.
If you are under heavy-duty driving conditions or need oil for high-performance applications, this is the best oil to buy for that purpose.
It is recommended that you use this oil to its full potential; you should use Bosch oil filters.

Features:

• Meets API SP/SN, ILSAC GF-6, and ACEA A5/B5, C2
• Eliminates the formation of engine deposits for optimal engine response.
• Compatible with Ford, Honda, and Chrysler.
• Amazing acceleration.

Valvoline Advanced 5w-30

It contains special seal care ingredients, anti-wear additives, additional detergent technology, and a range of antioxidants to promote long-term engine health. This proprietary formulation assists in decreasing oil leaks, sludge and poorly performing motors in high-mileage cars. The fact that this synthetic oil blend has an appealingly affordable price makes it an obvious winner in this category.

Features:

• Meets API SP/SN, ILSAC GF-6A
• Compatible with Ford and Chrysler.
• Great performance for high mileage vehicles.
• Helps prevent oil leaks, sludge, and more.
• Excellent price.
• Shorter change intervals, not recommended for vehicles with low mileage.

Castrol Edge 5w-20

Castrol Extended Performance Advanced 5W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil is precisely what your motor needs to function steadily in varying conditions. This is from the giant, immensely loved global company Castrol, which is one of the dominant makers of synthetic oil.
Indeed, they produce some of the finest synthetic motor oils, thus making their oils a reliable option for car owners. Castrol EDGE is among them, and just what your car and motor require to perform flawlessly.

Features:

• API: SP / SN PLUS / SN, ILSAC: GF-6, ACEA: A1/B1, ACEA C5, GM Dexos 1, gen2
• Minimizes the contact between the metals while driving at various speeds.
• Enhances fuel efficiency by decreasing the buildup of debris in the engine.
• The fluid retention technology offers maximal resistance even when exposed to pressure.
• Suggested for use under extreme driving situations like idling, towing, hauling, heavy-duty driving, and while driving in wet and muddy conditions.
• Among the best synthetic 5w-20 engine oils on the market.
• Decreased engine wear due to titanium additive.
• Complaints about decreased fuel efficiency.

Valvoline Advanced 5w-20

Valvoline is another brand that is synonymous with synthetic motor oils. Valvoline Synpower is exactly what you need to keep your engine clean and well maintained. Regular use of Valvoline SynPower will result in a cleaner engine, which in turn will result in excellent vehicle performance, faster engine ignition, and better parts running speed.

Features:

• API: SP / SN PLUS / SN, ILSAC: GF-6A, GM Dexos 2
• Optimal high-temperature protection in severe driving conditions.
• Cold weather protection provides faster oil flow for quick starts in cold conditions.
• Increases fuel efficiency and helps maintain it.
• Meets the engine requirements of all turbochargers and superchargers in North America.
• Keeps engines clean and well maintained.
• Reduces sludge formation.
• Oil change interval after 10,000 miles.
• Reasonable price.
• Complaints that bottle came with a broken seal and leaked oil.

Castrol Edge 10w-30

Castrol EDGE High Mileage is part of the most powerful and progressive line of fully synthetic engine oils. It has been designed with fluid titanium technology to ensure superior engine oil strength and assist your vehicle to perform to its maximum potential. When your car gets old, your engine can suffer a loss of performance and effectiveness. Proper vehicle service is essential to help an older engine maintain its optimal performance.

Features:

• API: SP / SN PLUS / SN, ILSAC: GF-6, ACEA: A1/B1
• Titanium-strong for maximum engine performance in vehicles with more than 75,000 miles on them.
• Maximizes short- and long-term engine performance in high-mileage engines.
• Fortified with extra liquid titanium technology to increase oil film strength and reduce film degradation.
• Reduces leakage, oil burn, and performance-degrading deposits.
• Improves fuel economy.

Valvoline High Mileage 10W-30

Features:

• API: SP, ILSAC: GF-6A, Approvals: Chrysler MS-6395
• Superior antioxidants resist motor oil breakdown in extreme conditions
• Enhanced anti-wear additives
• Added detergents help protect against sludge and deposits
• Premium seal conditioners help treat and prevent leaks

How often to change Castrol synthetic oil?

The great thing about Castrol Synthetic Oil is that it lasts up to six months or 15,000 miles. Note that this is for normal driving and not for severe driving conditions.
If you drive in severe conditions, the oil will last up to 3 months or 3,000 miles.
Changing your engine oil more frequently will benefit the life of your engine and help you identify potential problems with your vehicle.

Valvoline vs. Castrol: Which is better?

Now it’s time for the verdict. Is it the Castrol or the Valvoline which is superior?
Both have advantages and disadvantages and features that differentiate them from the other. After considering all the features and advantages, we decided that Castrol Edge is the better engine oil.
It is indeed the best long-lasting synthetic oil with special additives that increase the performance of your vehicle better than the competition. It’s also set at a reasonable price.

The next best thing is a classic, Valvoline. It’s been around since the 1800s and is still one of the leading manufacturers of motor oil.
We chose this oil in second place because it can improve the functionality of your engine and is great for lubricating the engine to reduce friction.
Another advantage is that it can offer better miles per gallon, but it still has nothing on Castrol Edge, which can meet the strict Dexos1

Castrol Magnatec vs Edge

In terms of engine oils, synthetic oils are indisputably the best option. Indeed, it has been a proven fact throughout the years. But what is actually difficult is to determine what kind of synthetic oils are the best. There is an ongoing debate between Castrol Magnatec VS Edge motor oil. Both are high-performance oils. Before you buy one, you can check below which is best suited to your vehicle.

Castrol Magnatec

Castrol Magnatec is the other name for unstoppable protection. Need non-stop protection right from the start? Choose this synthetic oil and rest assured. In today’s hectic driving conditions, this oil works like magic to dramatically reduce engine wear. Patented Dualock technology makes the unthinkable possible.
Dualock technology is the successful end result of the ultimate ten years of study by Castrol technologists. The study was conducted in partnership with one of the most prestigious universities. The Dualock is the first technology in the world that uses the combination of several protective molecules. The smart molecules are linked together and participate in creating a powerful force field for protection.

By using this high-quality synthetic oil, you can reduce both warm-ups and stop wear by 50%. Non-stop protection right from the start – that’s the slogan of this high-performance oil. And it lives up to every word of it. Wondering if it’s true or exaggerated? Use it yourself and form your own opinion.
As the name implies, Magnatec focuses on peak performance at startup, as oils drain when the vehicle is at a standstill. This can lead to wear as oils try to cover the critical part. That’s why this oil is designed to hug delicate engine components, protecting them from the start.
Featuring a base oil and additives, it outperforms other synthetic oils in formulation. The smart molecules are the creation of molybdenum, zinc, and phosphorus. This is the most suitable oil to have solid protection in all driving temperatures, styles, and conditions.

Castrol Edge

This is the latest engine oil from Castrol. Most of the leading car companies in the world recommend this high-performance synthetic oil. This high-quality oil is designed only for the users who value premium performance in their vehicles. Since this oil is developed with Fluid Titanium Technology, it shows different performance at different pressures.
When the pressure is high, there is more stress. More friction is generated as a result. To combat this added pressure and minimize friction, you need a high-performance oil like Castrol Edge. Fluid Titanium Technology provides friction reduction, significant potency, and firm performance.

It has been tested to fight against extreme pressure as it is equipped with the most advanced technology. So it is superior motor oil, without a doubt. In recent times, no other synthetic oil can compete with it in terms of strong performance. With the Titanium FST, it doubles the shift performance. Thus, it prevents damage to the oil layer. Also, the oil allows you to fight the highest pressure compared to other modern engine oils.

Try to use it one time for your vehicle and you will notice the difference. The manufacturers promise that you will get the most intense and efficient performance from your engine. Since the soluble titanium polymer works together with Fluid Strength Technology and they work together in the oil, what more do you need to have an incredible performance from your car engine?

Our monitoring

Castrol is a big and reliable name as an engine oil manufacturer. Both their Magnatec and Edge motor oils are industry-standard oils that offer smooth performance. While they are compared to each other, in some cases they are quite similar. But still, they are not exactly the same. Certainly, there are some distinguishing factors. Let’s try to explore them.

The first aims to warm up the wear-reducing technique, while the second focuses on friction reduction and high-pressure performance. Both are pretty good oils and serve for a fairly long period of time. But obviously, the Edge is the race winner in terms of longevity. Magnatec needs to be changed more quickly. If you use it, you can go about 10k miles. But with the Edge, you can go an additional 5 to 7 km.

As an overall engine oil, Castrol Edge is ahead of Magnatec because it meets the toughest standards in terms of performance.

Valvoline vs Castrol GTX

Valvoline MaxLife SAE 5W30

Valvoline is one of the few oil manufacturers that backs its high-mileage oil with a warranty. If your engine has less than 125,000 miles on it, you can register it in a program that gives you some

Valvoline MaxLife 5W30 warranty protection from the company provided you follow maintenance records and use only their oil.

Valvoline MaxLife SAE 5W30 – Utilizing the latest breakthroughs in distillation, this engine formulation is designed to address the issues faced by high mileage engines. This oil helps reduce friction, remove corrosive deposits, and helps prevent oil leaks.

Castrol GTX HM

Regardless of how well lubricated the inside of your engine is, metal components wear out, and internal seals dry and shrink over time, allowing oil to reach places where it burns or leaks.
It used to be common to use thicker oils as engines got older, but these formulations put extra strain on the oil pump and don’t reach all the paths to fully lubricate the engine. That means instead of fixing the problem, they can actually accelerate engine wear.

Contrary to popular belief, synthetic oil does not slip through these gaps more easily and burns faster than conventional oil. Synthetic and conventional oils of the same viscosity flow exactly the same. For high mileage engines, there is a better alternative to these two oils: semi-synthetic oil.

Castrol GTX HM not only works better in older engines, but it also sticks to parts longer and provides better protection when starting an engine after a long idle period. This makes it a good choice for older vehicles that are used only occasionally, such as vintage cars and winter beaters.

Our pick

Valvoline High Mileage oil is the most outstanding product on the market. This is an extraordinary oil blend designed for cars that have up to 75,000 miles. It revitalizes your engine and makes it work better than before. What we like is that it helps decrease the appearance of wear and tear in addition to leaks, due to its seal conditioners. One other thing we also like is that this high mileage oil stops the engine from becoming clogged, due to the antioxidants in its formula. The antioxidants also do a great job of preventing deposits that can be harmful to your engine.

Castrol edge vs Castrol edge professional

The main difference between Edge Pro and Standard Edge is that the Pro version has a special dye mixed in that reacts to UV light, making it easier to diagnose oil leaks.

Conclusion

There are a variety of considerations when choosing the best oil.
We recommend trying both to find out for yourself which one you like better, but we guarantee Castrol Edge will win you over. Don’t fall for the lower price of conventional oils, because you get exactly what you pay for.
It’s worth the investment in synthetic oil to avoid engine problems and the associated costs later on.

Recommended engine oil

As for the brand of oil, it is important to note that in this matter, too, there are their recommended brands for each car special, but they are not as important as, for example, the viscosity of the consumable material.

In fact, you can pour in the motor oil of any brand, but we recommend using oil on a synthetic basis of popular brands. The main thing is to comply with its viscosity and tolerances, which are specified in the service document on the machine. If there are personal preferences to any particular brand of engine oil, based on personal experience or on the advice of a friend, you just need to choose your values from the presented line of oils of the preferred brand.

If there is no service book, you can use the Internet resources and find all the necessary information. In addition, each brand of engine oil has its own descriptions and recommendations for use on different brands of cars, just as with the allowable standards proposed by different car manufacturers.

This information corresponds to the standard catalogs generally accepted all over the world. They are created on the basis of obtaining information from leading expert organizations from all over the world, so there simply cannot be any discrepancies.

When should I change my engine oil?

According to generally accepted norms, the oil is changed periodically, about twice a year, but necessarily as a certain amount of mileage is accumulated on the car. Each model has its own specific value, which, as well as the permissible characteristics of the oil is set by the manufacturer of this or that brand of car.

The necessary figures and terms can be found in the service book of the car, or in the catalogs from the manufacturers, on the Internet resources. There simply must not be any other indicators for oil replacement, including false recommendations from engine oil brands. It is worth remembering that the manufacturer specifies the maximum allowable rate, which means that it is not necessary to drag it out to the last minute and make the change a little earlier than the specified period.

Specialists recommend having a regular oil change at reaching 80% of the mileage limit, set by the car manufacturer because the highest degree of engine wear occurs just at the last 20% of the mileage record mark.

If there is no possibility or wish to trace all the parameters by yourself, you may address them to professionals. Any dealership has full catalogs and regulations, some organizations even track their customers and notify them in advance that it is time to perform the procedure of changing the engine oil in the car.

All deviations from this rule can have serious consequences for the operation of the car engine and even lead to its complete retirement from service.

What do the API, ACEA, ILSAC, AAE engine oil specifications say?

API, ACEA, ILSAC, and AAE are international quality standards developed by major expert organizations. Car manufacturers always indicate certain specifications in the car’s owner’s manual, so they are an important parameter when choosing an engine oil. The recommended specifications depend on the design features and engine type of the particular car.

Who are these expert communities, which are engaged in the development of standards:

• API (American Petrol Institute);
• ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles) – Association of European Automobile Manufacturers;
• ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee).

Automobile oils for American and Asian car manufacturers are classified according to API or ILSAC. European car manufacturers are guided by the classification according to ACEA to determine the quality of the oil. In this case, when selecting oil for passenger cars equipped with a diesel engine with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), are guided by the requirements of the ACEA classification. Commercial diesel vehicles are guided by an extensive system of requirements for API and ACEA.

The API classification divides oils according to their performance properties. According to the API system, there are two categories of engine oils:

1. API S (Service), such as API SN for gasoline engine oils;
2. API C (Commercial), such as API CK-4 – oils for diesel engines.

The API quality label is deciphered as follows. The letter that follows the “S” or “C” indicates the quality of the oil. The further it is in the alphabet, the higher the requirements for the level of oil properties. The lowest current specification for gasoline engines is API SJ.

At present, the highest API category of gasoline engine oils is the API SN SP specification (replaces the intermediate category API SN Plus, which was introduced temporarily to solve the problem of premature ignition of the working body in the cylinders).

The other API categories for gasoline engines correspond to:

• API SJ – oils for vehicles no older than 2001;
• API SL – oils for vehicles no older than 2004;ё
• API SM – oils for cars not older than 2010;ё
• API SN – oils for cars from 2011;
• API SP – oils for cars from 2020.

For passenger car gasoline engines, oils of higher specifications, such as API SN, can be used where the use of oils of the previous level is recommended, such as API SM, API SL or API SJ.

The highest category of oils for diesel engines according to this classification is the API CK-4 specification. This is the new standard for engine oils for vehicles manufactured since 2017.

API CH-4, API CI-4, API CI-4 PLUS, and API CJ-4 also remain valid standards. The number “4” in the specification marking indicates that the oil meets the requirements of large volume four-stroke engines.

Higher-class oils can be used in engines for which lower-class oils are suitable. For example, API CK-4 can replace such specifications as API CJ-4, API CI-4, API CI-4 PLUS and API CH-4.

The API CH-4 specification, on the other hand, can be used where oils of the outdated API CD, API CE, API CF-4, and API CG-4 specifications are suitable. It is always necessary to take into account the recommendations of the car manufacturer.

ACEA classification distinguishes oils, which are focused on the requirements of European automakers and have a deployed system of approvals. Its requirements are more stringent based on European quality standards.

In accordance with the ACEA classification oils for gasoline and light diesel engines are combined into one category and are designated as a combination of the letters A / B, followed by numbers.

• The A1/B1 specification, which corresponds to energy-saving, low-viscosity oils, has now been abolished.
• The A3/B3 specification corresponds to stable, wear-resistant oils which meet the basic level of requirements of car manufacturers. They are universal, full viscosity, full ash engine oils.
• The A3/B4 specification includes the A3/B3 specification as well as oils for direct injection gasoline engines and diesel engines with an injection system. Oils of this specification are suitable for extended oil change intervals and meet the increased requirements of car manufacturers.
• The A5/B5 specification corresponds to energy-efficient, low-viscosity engine oils that focus on fuel economy. They are only suitable for certain engine models.

Due to the environmental requirements in European countries, ACEA classification is supplemented by category C, which corresponds to oils for cars equipped with exhaust gas treatment systems (particulate filter (DPF), catalytic converter). These oils differ in the level of SAPS – sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur content.

• C1 – very low level of SAPS;
• C2 – the average level of SAPS;
• C3 – average SAPS;
• C4 – low SAPS;
• C5 – medium SAPS and fuel economy; this is a low ash, low viscosity oil.
• Oils for diesel engines of heavy trucks are allocated to category E.
• E4 – oils for engines of Euro I – Euro V ecological standards, operating under severe conditions including extended oil change intervals. Suitable for engines without particulate filters, some engines with EGR (exhaust gas recirculation system) and SCR (selective catalytic converter).
• E6 – oils for engines of environmental standards Euro I – Euro VI, operating under heavy conditions with extended oil change intervals. They are suitable for engines with EGR and SCR. These oils are recommended for engines equipped with particulate filters and fuels with reduced sulfur content.
• E7 – oils with excellent wear protection for new-generation diesel engines of Euro I to Euro V environmental standards. They are suitable for engines without particulate filters and for most engines with EGR and SCR.
• E9 – oils with excellent wear protection for diesel engines of the new generation of environmental standards Euro I – Euro VI. They are suitable for engines with EGR and SCR. Recommended for engines equipped with particulate filters operating on fuel with reduced sulfur content.

ILSAC classification is created for oils used in American and Japanese cars. It has five quality categories, the first of which is outdated, and the most current are ILSAC GF-4, ILSAC GF-5, and ILSAC GF-6.

• ILSAC GF-4 – the standard meets the requirements of API SM;
• ILSAC GF-5 – the standard corresponds to the level of requirements of API SN.
• ILSAC GF-6 – the standard corresponds to the level of requirements of API SP.Two-three standards overlap previous approval levels.

These three standards overlap previous approval levels.