Castrol Edge Advanced Users - 5W30

[PontiacHO]

I have been a staunch Valvoline synthetic user (Extended Protection 5W30 lately) since my truck was new. 2017 GMC Z71 crew 5.3. Now that it’s right at 100k and the Castrol was a great deal on the last Black Friday sale, I changed to the Castrol. The oil has only been run 1k and it is really black. Usually I would have a tough time reading the dipstick because the Valvoline stayed clear for several thousand miles. Does Castrol have more detergent than Valvoline?

 

[cheesepuffs2]

I don't know about more detergent, but I ran Edge (High Mileage) for the first time ever in my Accord earlier this year, and it turned noticeably more black on the dipstick than Pennzoil Platinum does.

 

[PontiacHO]

Interesting. Thanks. Maybe it’s a Castrol “thang”.

 

[OilUzer]

Maybe unrelated or a total coincidence but when I used Castrol A3/B4 Euro 0W-40, I noticed couple of times that the edge of the dipstick had some black residue! It didn't burn any oil but I don't ever recall that with other oil. Some of the other oil I've used in this car are:

M1 EP 10w30 primarily
M1 Euro 0W-40
Valvoline EP 5w30
Kirkland 5w30
Havoline PRO-DS 5w30
PP 5w30
Castrol Magnatec 10w30
Chevron Supreme 5w30
Chevron Supreme 10w30
Factory 5W-20

I like Castrol and wanting to go back and try the 0W-40 to see if I can reproduce the results since I am very curious ... but have a stash of oil to finish and 0W-40 is not my "thang" lol. Too wide of a spread for my liking. I have Castrol Edge Euro 5w30 that I recently bought on sale for another car but may give it a try.

I have also noticed inconsistent color changes in general and I think when you switch oil, the first one or two runs can behave differently because ... I should stop now! Anyway, it's nothing to worry about and it is not a deciding factor for me.

I have to look at my log files to see if I used the Castrol Euro after a bunch of longer OCIs with a less premium oil or what ... but I put it under weird coincidence category for now!

 

[TeeCee]

Our ebox Castrol is noticeably darker fresh out the box than pennzoil and valvoline. Just an observation.

 

[radiometer]

It seems to me that when oil turns darker with use it's a sign of it's being better at holding contaminants.

 

[thetricky]

I believe it was stated in an HPL thread by knowledgeable folk that some components in an oil can oxidize quicker, resulting in that fast color change, however, it wasn’t bad or harming anything. I have experienced this with Amsoil SS and HPL PCMO.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Maybe unrelated or a total coincidence but when I used Castrol A3/B4 Euro 0W-40, I noticed couple of times that the edge of the dipstick had some black residue! It didn't burn any oil but I don't ever recall that with other oil. Some of the other oil I've used in this car are:

M1 EP 10w30 primarily
M1 Euro 0W-40
Valvoline EP 5w30
Kirkland 5w30
Havoline PRO-DS 5w30
PP 5w30
Castrol Magnatec 10w30
Chevron Supreme 5w30
Chevron Supreme 10w30
Factory 5W-20

I like Castrol and wanting to go back and try the 0W-40 to see if I can reproduce the results since I am very curious ... but have a stash of oil to finish and 0W-40 is not my "thang" lol. Too wide of a spread for my liking. I have Castrol Edge Euro 5w30 that I recently bought on sale for another car but may give it a try.

I have also noticed inconsistent color changes in general and I think when you switch oil, the first one or two runs can behave differently because ... I should stop now! Anyway, it's nothing to worry about and it is not a deciding factor for me.

I have to look at my log files to see if I used the Castrol Euro after a bunch of longer OCIs with a less premium oil or what ... but I put it under weird coincidence category for now!

Don't let the 0w40 viscosity spread / loss bother you, unless you are overextending your OCIs while owning an above average diluter engine.

SP 0w40s are the Bomb! I trust em' - like em' - have used them with confidence.
Yes, Castrol Oils (in general) darken sooner. They come out of the virgin bottle darker too.

 

[ka9mnx]

Someone smarter than me once posted that after engine oil heats the additives can change the color of the oil.

 

[OilUzer]

I believe it was stated in an HPL thread by knowledgeable folk that some components in an oil can oxidize quicker, resulting in that fast color change, however, it wasn’t bad or harming anything. I have experienced this with Amsoil SS and HPL PCMO.

Do you remember which thread? I might learn something new. I guess I can google or kschachn. JK lol

You would think premium oil like Castrol Euro, or even more premium like HPL or Amsoil should not oxidize quickly. I was under impression that oxidation is not a good thing! I mean "Holding contaminants better" or "cleaning better" ... sounds more appealing!

 

[PontiacHO]

Maybe I’m ignorant (agree if you like) but that’s my last oil change with Castrol. Back to Valvoline. Sometimes there’s a reason for cheaper….