[DonM]

We all know that GM doesn't care so much about what brand of oil you use, but they require that it must be a DEXOS-approved engine oil.

After buying my 2017 2LT last March, I slowly started discovering that while the previous owner did modify a few things (including an Edelbrock supercharger), he just threw parts on without dialing anything in ... aftermarket headlights (aimed straight at the ground-so they were totally useless), after market LED taillights, but no resistor, so they hyperflashed, etc. I did have the supercharger install checked, and at least THAT was done correctly.

During the summer, I installed LED headlight bulbs and properly aimed the lights, installed resistors in the taillights, correcting the hyperflash and so on.

The dealership where I bought the car had just changed to oil, so I left that alone at first, but I did take it in for a manual transmission fluid and differential fluid change. The trans fluid was horrid, dark and burnt smelling and the diff fluid was pure SLUDGE. Burnt anf FULL of metal shavings and chunks - the previous owner had partially grenaded the diff, and I had to have an entirely new one installed.

In September, I changed the oil over to AMSOIL XL 5W30, but I started thinking about the half-assed modification installations, and the horrible conditions of the trans/diff fluids and began seriously questioning the car's maintenance history.

So I began watching a ton of videos - a lot from The Motor Oil Geek, on YouTube and some others. That's where I learned about Valvoline's 'new' full synthetic - Restore and Protect. Lake Speed (The Motor Oil Geek) did an investigation on it and started experimenting with it on his channel. If anyone is unfamiliar with him, he IS a total geek and while he does listen to other peoples' anecdotal oil stories, he puts all his trust in science and chemistry. All his facts are based on engine oil analysis and their findings. And he was impressed with the initial oil analysis results and his initial testing of Restore and Protect and is even expanding his experiments with it.

Then there were many others testing the Restore and Protect in their own cars, with the magority of them reporting favorably with their short term (up to around 7,000 mile) testing.

Since GM requires a DEXOS rating, primarily to maintain the factory warranty and because of the supercharger, my warranty was voided a long time ago (plus I'm not eligible for an aftermarket warranty for the same reason), the DEXOS requirement means a little less to me.

When researching the Restore and Protect, I found out that while it exceeds a large number of the current standards, it IS NOT DEXOS approved. Since that has far less meaning for me now, yesterday I decided "What the Hell?"

A quick trip to AutoZone for one 5 quart jug, 2 1 quart bottles and two filters, I was quickly in the garage watching 2-1/2 month, 2,000 mile Amsoil draining into the catch pan (it was a lot dirtier than I thoughtit was going to be). Once everything has stopped dripping, I prefilled one of the new filters and put it in place, replaced the drain plug and put the rest of the quart used to prime the filter and the 5 qts from the jug into the engine.

Now for MY anecdotal experience ...

Instantly upon starting the car, I heard - actually DIDN'T hear, any noise whatsoever from the engine. I heard the starter and the exhaust, and I'm used to hearing SOME engine noise, but there was nothing at all. I did about a 4.5 mile drive in the car, and still, absolutely NO engine noise, it was dead quiet from the second I started it with the Valvoline Restore and Protect.

I reset my trip odometer and will likely change the filter between 500 and 1,000 miles as cheap insurance againt a clogged filter.

So go ahead, let me have it ...

[White1SS]

You Moron ! I can't believe you would be so foolish as to put that garbage in your engine, you may as well start looking for a new motor !


Just thought I would start you off with a Happy New Year razzing.

[DeuceCam]

I don't see the big deal if the warranty is expired. The Valvoline oil should be fine.

Side note: Your aftermarket headlight bulbs probably glare badly; they' re usually only good for blinding other drivers.

[Dynamical]

What the? Did you just? Dude, you just trolled another oil thread?

Dont even ask me what oil I’m running, I’m not telling!

All joking aside I was wondering about that restore and protect oil. After a small amount of research I saw its main benefit would be to clean pistons and deposits around rings? Lol, not much new under the sun I guess

[DonM]

Originally Posted by White1SS

You Moron ! I can't believe you would be so foolish as to put that garbage in your engine, you may as well start looking for a new motor !


Just thought I would start you off with a Happy New Year razzing.

LOL

[DonM]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

I don't see the big deal if the warranty is expired. The Valvoline oil should be fine.

Side note: Your aftermarket headlight bulbs probably glare badly; they' re usually only good for blinding other drivers.

Actually, they don't glare at all ... the aftermarket headlamps are projector beam, meaning the light is tightly focused with a razor-sharp, horizontal cut off. So despite how bright the bulbs are, there is no light 'splash' whatsoever above the horizontal cut off. Just like MANY modern headlights, they may be a bit bliinding IF the car is approaching on an incline, but as soon as the front end levels out, they are actually LESS blinding than other lights.

[DonM]

Originally Posted by Dynamical

What the? Did you just? Dude, you just trolled another oil thread?

Dont even ask me what oil I’m running, I’m not telling!

All joking aside I was wondering about that restore and protect oil. After a small amount of research I saw its main benefit would be to clean pistons and deposits around rings? Lol, not much new under the sun I guess

Like I mentioned, The Motor Oil Geek's channel on You Tube with the videos on the Restore and Protect were the biggest reasons I decided to try it out. He doesn't care about the BRAND of oil, only what used oil chemical analysis tells him about what is happening in the engine. No one "buys" his reviews, he'll call out the failures of the big brands as fast as he reports on the merits of the lesser known/respected brands. Yes, he gives his opinion, but those opinions are based on repeatable scientific testing, not on data that is only subjective abd can't be repeated or verified by fact.