Pennzoil Ultra Has Changed Claims

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Techniker

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My apologies if this has been posted before, but I was just wondering about this. I have been using Mobil 1 (and usually Mobil 1 EP) in my car its entire life. However, after seeing the UOAs, some reviews, and a recent onset of a sticking valve on cold start up, I decided to give Pennzoil Ultra a try.

Picked up a 5 quart container at Walmart tonight and found this:
4257588c-86f7-8e62.jpg


Now, what is interesting, is that Pennzoil Ultra no longer appears to be claiming that it cleans 35% better than its next leading oil, Pennzoil Platinum. Does anyone know why it is no longer doing so? What's changed? Anyone else notice this?

-Techniker
 
Originally Posted By: JasonC
My guess is that it was either hurting PP sales or it simply isn't true any longer.


I am thinking that it may not actually be true any longer...in which case I feel like I wasted a few bucks.
 
Maybe they wanted to get away from the "cleaning" claim. Cleaning implies you have a dirty engine. That never appealed to me at all. I have a 2011 model car that I hope is already clean. I was looking more for the lubrication properties.

Perhaps they want to market PP to those that are just now trying syn oil and PU to those with newer vehicles to compete against M1, Amsoil, etc. EVEN IF it still cleans whatever percent better.
 
I suspect they took the % off because it wasn't really quantifiable. What's "up to" 35% anyway? 0% is included in that.

They still market PU as keeping the engine "factory clean". From what I see, they just too the % off, which was probably not verifiable anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: Boomer
Maybe with the change to SN from SM this is no longer true. Is PP also now a Dexos oil?


PP has been a dexos oil for quite a while.
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Or maybe people outside of BITOG didn't fall for marketing hype and just bought what's cheaper, which most likely was PP or other synthetic oils. And if they wanted to spring premium, they got M1 EP or Edge with actual benefits of extended OCIs.




Yup, I see this all the time. People (at my Wal-Mart) anyway, always seem to buy the cheapest oil on the shelf. I have noticed however that the VWB shelf is empty or very close to it at all times. So it would appear that people in my area (if one can make a judgement call this way) like VWB.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Or maybe people outside of BITOG didn't fall for marketing hype and just bought what's cheaper, which most likely was PP or other synthetic oils. And if they wanted to spring premium, they got M1 EP or Edge with actual benefits of extended OCIs.



That wouldn't explain why they removed the claim though.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I can't really make out what it says on that pic that the OP posted, but on Pennzoil's website it says that PU "keeps pistons up to 25% cleaner than Mobil 1".

And as far as cleaning ability, PU now gets 5 stars while PP gets 4 stars, whatever that means. The difference between 4 stars and 5 stars is 25%
smile.gif


http://www.pennzoil.com/technology-of-clean/motor-oil-comparisons/



Yeah, sorry for the quality of the image, I took it on my iPhone. What I find interesting as well, and has also been well pointed out here, is that Pennzoil Ultra only ever compares itself to regular Mobil 1, instead of Mobil 1's ship of the line- Mobil 1 EP. I can't help but wonder if they know that Mobil 1 EP outclasses it.

-Techniker
 
Originally Posted By: Techniker
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Or maybe people outside of BITOG didn't fall for marketing hype and just bought what's cheaper, which most likely was PP or other synthetic oils. And if they wanted to spring premium, they got M1 EP or Edge with actual benefits of extended OCIs.



That wouldn't explain why they removed the claim though.


Because that claim was meaningless (a.k.a: marketing hype) and obviously did not generate sales. I have a feeling that it will be replaced soon by something else.
 
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Or maybe people outside of BITOG didn't fall for marketing hype and just bought what's cheaper, which most likely was PP or other synthetic oils. And if they wanted to spring premium, they got M1 EP or Edge with actual benefits of extended OCIs.




Yup, I see this all the time. People (at my Wal-Mart) anyway, always seem to buy the cheapest oil on the shelf. I have noticed however that the VWB shelf is empty or very close to it at all times. So it would appear that people in my area (if one can make a judgement call this way) like VWB.


They are frugal. Valvoline's best oil is Maxlife but WB is cheaper.
 
Originally Posted By: Boomer
Since PP is now Dexos and PU isn't (?), the Dexos requirement for cleaning may have obviated the PU claim?


SN PU is dexos approved.
 
To the OP:

Marketing.

...and if you are buying a full synthetic whats up with being a tight wad?
28.gif


Spend the $2-$3 and then go celebrate with your favorite beverage of choice on top of that!
banana2.gif


thumbsup2.gif
 
The dirty piston labeled M1 seems to be missing too, unless that was just on the website. So how is the car running so far? Notice any difference?
 
Originally Posted By: Techniker
Originally Posted By: JasonC
My guess is that it was either hurting PP sales or it simply isn't true any longer.


I am thinking that it may not actually be true any longer...in which case I feel like I wasted a few bucks.


Pp and Pu are both $24 a 5qt jug at walmart near me. Win win.
wink.gif
 
It's the economy stupid.

Most people today buy the less expensive products because the bottom line is that is all they can afford.

Also the marketing might have been borderline as to the validity.
 
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