Valvoline vs. Castrol: Which One Is Better Oil?

Choosing the right engine oil is necessary for proper vehicle maintenance. The leading motor oil brands in the industry right now are Castrol Oil and Valvoline Oil.

These two engine oil brands offer exceptional performance against wear, friction, and buildup of deposits. However, they differ in terms of manufacturer, technology, cooling properties, and evaporation rate, amongst other performance aspects. These differences will help you choose which of the two oil brands is best for your engine.

Is Valvoline a good oil brand?

Valvoline motor oil is made by Valvoline Global Operations, which is a part of Aramco integrated energy and chemicals companies. Established in 1866, Valvoline is a company that specializes in vehicle care products and has built a strong brand by constantly meeting its customers’ needs.

Valvoline is a premium-quality oil brand that protects the engine against damage caused by contaminants like moisture, unburnt fuel, and ethanol.

Tip: Without a good oil brand like Valvoline, these contaminants infiltrate the oil sump and cause engine-killing problems like increased friction, poor lubrication, and corrosion. 

Here are Valvoline’s features and an overview of the different types of Valvoline motor oil products.

1. Valvoline full synthetic motor oils– provide excellent water, fuel, and ethanol management through efficient emulsification that prevents the mixture from separating. This oil brand offers up to 24x protection against engine-damaging contaminants, compared to standard full synthetic motor oil brands. Full synthetic oil also provides better stability and resistance to thermal breakdown compared to conventional oil.

2. Valvoline conventional/synthetic blends– combine the features of both traditional and synthetic motor oil for optimal protection against the significant causes of engine damage, including wear, friction, heat, and deposits.

3. Valvoline High Mileage oils-(Valvoline High Mileage 150K with Maxlife Plus Technology) are specially formulated to offer protection against challenges unique to high-mileage engines, including leaks, wear, abnormal temperatures, and power loss.

4. Valvoline Heavy-Duty oils- are formulated to offer excellent wear protection to heavy-duty diesel and gasoline motors. They also allow for faster and safer cold starts.

5. Valvoline Small Engine oils- provide better wear protection and rust defense for 4-stroke engines that run at higher RPMs than vehicle engines. These products are recommended for ATVs, snowmobiles, and personal watercraft.

6. Valvoline Racing oils- boast a high zinc and phosphorus formula that offers race-grade anti-wear protection for high-performance motors on the racing track.

What makes Castrol the best?

Castrol, a British company founded in 1899, specializes in producing motor oil products and lubricants. The company is currently a subsidiary of BP (a giant company in the oil and gas sector) and remains one of the leading motor oil and lubricant brands around the globe.

Castrol offers premium-quality motor oil products specially formulated to protect engines against stressful conditions, such as when driving in extreme weather or towing heavy loads. These oil products improve the vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency while lasting longer between drain intervals. The brand’s product line also features cheaper motor oils for older and smaller engines.

Castrol also produces motor oil products that reduce pollution and keep the environment clean, such as Castrol Bio-Synthetic Oil. These products are an excellent option for those mindful of their ecological impact while driving. 

Here’s a breakdown of the different Castrol engine oil products:

1. Full synthetic-(High Mileage 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil) comprises three products offering a great range and low impurities. Castrol full synthetic oils form a protective chemical layer over the engine components for longer-lasting performance even in high temparatures.

2. Synthetic blends-(Castrol GTX 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil) consist of two products that are a blend of synthetic and conventional motor oils. Castrol synthetic blends are formulated to protect the motor against sludge buildup and catalytic converter failure. Blended motor oils are cheaper than full synthetic oils.

3. Conventional motor oils comprise two products with ingredients derived from naturally occurring oils. They boast protective technology that prevents sludge buildup and boosts fuel efficiency in older cars and diesel engines. Castrol conventional motor oil products are relatively cheap.

Castrol vs Valvoline: A Comparison of Engine Oils

You can compare Castrol and Valvoline motor oils in terms of the following differences and similarities:

• Manufacturer
• Technology
• Brand Credibility
• Cooling properties
• Evaporation rate
• Cost

Manufacturer

Different companies produce Valvoline and Castrol engine oils. Valvoline oil is produced by Valvoline Global Operations, with Aramco being the parent company, while Castrol oil is manufactured by Castrol, which is part of BP.

Vavloline vs. Castrol Technology

Castrol and Valvoline are innovative brands that infuse technology formulas into their motor oil products for optimum engine protection. However, the exact types of technology differ. Castrol oil boasts ‘Fluid Titanium’ technology to enhance engine performance and reduce friction. Valvoline engine oil, on the contrary, features ‘Dual Defense Additive’ technology that’s specially formulated to protect the engine against wear/tear and sludge buildup.

Valvoline vs Castrol Brand Credibility

Castrol boasts greater credibility than Valvoline as the former’s motor oil products attract a more extensive customer base globally and are endorsed by giant companies in the automobile sectors. Up to 8 globally recognized car manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Rolls-Royce, and Volkswagen, use Castrol oil from the factory. By comparison, only two car manufacturers factory-use Valvoline oil- KTM and Cummins.

Castrol vs. Valvoline Cooling Properties

Valvoline engine oil has slightly better cooling properties than Castrol oil. In a test conducted by Nates Interactive Auto, Valvoline provides better heat dissipation, making it the better option in high-temperature conditions.

Evaporation Rate

Castrol motor oil is less prone to evaporation compared to Castrol oil. In the comparative tests undertaken by Nates Interactive Auto, Valvoline full synthetic oil lost slightly more weight than Castrol full synthetic oil when both were heated for a minute.

Valvoline vs Castrol Cost

There are price differences between Castrol and Valvoline motor oils across the various product categories. The prices of comparable products all fall within a dollar of each other. For example, at Walmart, 5 quarts of Castrol 10W-30 Full Synthetic costs $22.47, while a similar amount and blend of Valvoline costs $22.96.

Castrol and Valvoline produce premium-quality oil products that are relatively costlier than other industry players. However, they offer great value for money by providing better performance.

Pros and Cons of Valvoline and Castrol Engine Oils

Here are the pros and cons of Valvoline and Castrol engine oils that can assist you in deciding which oil is better for you:

Valvoline Pros	Castrol Pros
Reliable and trusted brand.	High-performance lubrication.
Wide range/variety of products for different vehicle types.	Constant innovation and advanced formulations.
Affordable pricing.	Trusted by professionals and recommended by vehicle manufacturers.
Offers both conventional and synthetic oils.	Specializes in synthetic oils.
Valvoline Cons	Castrol Cons
May not provide the same level of performance as Castrol under extreme conditions.	Premium Castrol highmilage oils like Castrol GTX or Castrol Edge are expensive compared to other brands same grade.
Valvoline synthetic motor oils are not compatible/appropriate for motorcycle or diesel engines.	It is unsuitable for diesel engines and might increase gas consumption slightly.

Which is better, Castrol or Valvoline?

There is no clear winner between Castrol and Valvoline motor oils. It all boils down to the type/state of your engine, personal needs and preferences, budget, and the level of protection your car needs. For instance, Castrol’s oils work great for performance vehicles, while their high-mileage product line will enable you to get more than 100,000 miles out of your car and excel in performance, innovation, and synthetic formulations. Similarly, Valvoline motor oils cater to the protective needs of all gasoline and diesel engines while offering a diverse range of full synthetic oils that are reliable, affordable, and compatible with turbocharged engines.

The choice between the two ultimately depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. However, it would be best to consider factors such as your vehicle type, driving conditions, and manufacturer recommendations when deciding which oil to use/purchase for your car.

Signs of Low-Quality/ Counterfeit Oils

How can you tell if your Valvoline vs. Castrol oil is low-quality or counterfeit? You can determine if the oil you have been using is fake or low quality by looking out for these signs:

1. Packaging and Labeling

Check for misspellings, grammatical errors, or poor-quality printing on the packaging and labels.
Tip: Look for inconsistencies in the brand logo, font, or color scheme. Verify the authenticity of the packaging’s holograms, QR codes, or other security features.

2. Price and Source

Suspiciously low prices compared to reputable brands may indicate counterfeit or low-quality oil.
Tip: Purchase oil from authorized and reputable retailers or manufacturers to minimize the risk of counterfeit products.

3. Smell and Texture

Genuine engine oil typically does not have a unique or strong smell.
Tip: If the oil has a burning, suffocating, or unusual smell, it may be counterfeit. Counterfeit oil may have a different texture or consistency compared to genuine oil.

4. Oil Color

Pay attention to the color of the oil. Counterfeit or low-quality oil may have a darker, dark brown, or inconsistent color than genuine oil.

5. Performance and Effects

Poor-quality or counterfeit oil may lead to decreased engine performance, increased fuel consumption, or engine damage.
Tip: Monitor your vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency after an oil change to detect any unusual or adverse effects.

ALWAYS purchase oil from trusted sources such as authorized dealers, auto parts stores, or directly from the manufacturer.

Why Is It Important to Use Good Oil for Your Vehicle?

Good quality Valvoline vs. Castrol oil helps lubricate the engine, cool it down, improve fuel efficiency and economy, prevent corrosion, protect the engine, and improve performance. Oil is an essential component of your vehicle that helps to maintain its performance and longevity.

Here are some reasons why good oil is beneficial to your car:

1. Lubrication: The primary purpose of engine oil is to lubricate the internal parts of your car’s engine and reduce friction and wear and tear. This helps to keep the engine running smoothly and prevents damage to the engine components. Servicing or changing the car oil helps maintain this crucial lubrication purpose.
2. Cooling: Engine oil also helps to cool the engine by absorbing heat and transferring it away from the engine components. This helps to prevent overheating and damage to the engine.
3. Fuel Economy: Using good quality oil helps to improve fuel economy by reducing friction and improving engine efficiency. This will save you money on gas in the long run.
4. Prevents Corrosion: Good engine oil helps prevent unwanted chemical reactions on the surface of engine parts, such as corrosion. Corroding parts typically lose functionality and lead to increased engine emissions.
5. Engine Protection: Good quality oil protects the engine from wear and tear, reducing the risk of engine breakdown and prolonging engine life.
6. Performance: Using good quality oil can improve engine performance by reducing friction and wear and tear, improving fuel economy, and preventing overheating

Here is a video guide on why oil is so essential:

FAQs

References

i.              Universal Technical Institute: What Does Motor Oil Do? – Ultimate Info Guide