Originally posted by iwannabmw
I stand semi-corrected on the thickening. Using Blackstone's numbers it's up slightly. Using Redline's spec sheet, it's right on.

With regards to the 10W-40 acting like a dino 20W-50, viscosity doesn't really have anything to do with this. It's more a function of a better film strength and less resistance to shear. A synthetic oil with a lower viscosity will offer the same protection as a dino oil with a thicker viscosity.

About the filtration: More surface area alone might allow more dirt to enter, but if the filter can trap more dirt and flow more air at the same time, that's a different story. Cosider these results for the cars that I'm responsible for: My 97 Max with a cone filter has Si readings of 7 and 9 for intervals of 8k. My 90 BMW with a cone filter had a Si reading of 5 at the 4300 mile sample. The 97 Altima I care for uses the stock paper filter. It had a Si reading of 6 at the 4400 mile point. Considering the BMW is mostly a track ride and lives at WOT, you'd think it would ingest more air Same mileage interval with a cone filter actually had less dirt than the paper one, and this on an engine that should have considerably more. One last data point is the 01 Legacy with the stock paper filter that had a Si reading of 13 at 5921 miles. I'll take the readings from the Max with the cone and the longer interval any day.

Originally posted by bill99gxe
Ice,

In looking again over your Sentra and Maxima results, I think your 10W/40 viscosity could be causing a decrease in iron and an increase in aluminum and lead, while your silicon must just be your area of the country since your Sentra is consistently coming in at low teens as well.

In addition, did you notice that your Sentra using Valvoline MaxLife had several higher levels of wear metals than the Mobil 1 Drive Clean? Further evidence that Valvoline dino and synthetic oils are some of the poorer performing oils out there.

Originally posted by IceY2K1
Yes, Valvoline will NEVER see the inside of ANY of my engines again. I'm VERY impressed with the Mobil Blend and I'm anxious to see if the data is backed up with my next sample. However, it's the new Mobile Blend "Plus", which is supposedly more formulated for high-mileage vehicles. I'm going to stick with the Mobil Blend unless I get a wild hair up for some test mule samples.

Originally posted by bill99gxe



[Loaded Question]

I wonder if anyone has a baseline analysis of the new Drive Blend Plus......

[/Loaded Question]

I've yet to see any specific empirical differences between regular and High Mileage formulas within a brand (e.g. Castrol GTX vs. High Mileage), but some people have reported reduced leaks, etc. by simply switching to a "High Mileage" branded oil. Pennzoil High Mileage immediately comes to mind....