Valvoline VV853 Racing Synthetic 5W30 NOT STREET LEGAL Motor Oil

**ianscrawford** · 03-16-2007, 08:38 PM

So I know I guy at Valvoline and he is going to hook me up with some oil,
Valvoline VV853 Racing Synthetic 5W30 NOT STREET LEGAL Motor Oil

Any of you guys ever use this? If so did you like it?
It's supposed to be up there with mobil 1 Synthetic.

Ian

**lseguy** · 03-16-2007, 08:41 PM

Do you like it? Lets assume it was 5x "better" than Mobil 1.

How would someone be able to tell via driving?

**ianscrawford** · 03-16-2007, 08:46 PM

I haven't tried it yet....
You more than likely wouldn't be able to tell driving other than engine noise.... knocks etc

**dshilkit** · 03-16-2007, 09:06 PM

what makes an engine oil "not street legal"?

**SG_M3** · 03-16-2007, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by dshilkit

what makes an engine oil "not street legal"?

the marketing firm said it is, probably the same people that call it "racing" oil.

**nickdrivesm3** · 03-16-2007, 09:14 PM

advertising at its best

**ParadigmGuy** · 03-16-2007, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by ianscrawford

So I know I guy at Valvoline and he is going to hook me up with some oil,
Valvoline VV853 Racing Synthetic 5W30 NOT STREET LEGAL Motor Oil

Any of you guys ever use this? If so did you like it?
It's supposed to be up there with mobil 1 Synthetic.

Ian

NOT STREET LEGAL? Awesome! Where can I get some?

**savage217** · 03-16-2007, 09:55 PM

Definately advertisement. I wouldnt use that stuff anyways. Never liked valvoline.

**GotBHP?** · 03-16-2007, 10:41 PM

lol.

**upperguy** · 03-16-2007, 10:45 PM

What happens when I get pulled over while running this? anyone know what kind of fine is associated with running this oil on the street?

**Garrett M** · 03-16-2007, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by upperguy

What happens when I get pulled over while running this? anyone know what kind of fine is associated with running this oil on the street?

Ive never really had a cop check my oil...lol

**rossiski** · 03-16-2007, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Garrett M

Ive never really had a cop check my oil...lol

Just wait until the rubber glove comes out.

**Bimwad** · 03-17-2007, 12:24 AM

When a company advertises as such, it is obviously a gimmick! Stick to established and proven motor oils.

**Getconnectedav** · 03-17-2007, 12:31 AM

Exactly. If you have a serious product you would not put that BS on the bottle.

**upperguy** · 03-17-2007, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Getconnectedav

Exactly. If you have a serious product you would not put that BS on the bottle.

lol:-p I am disappointed in them for even trying it but what are you gonna do.

Besides everyone knows the good stuff is sold in liters

**SilverSellout** · 03-17-2007, 01:21 AM

It's supposed to be up there with mobil 1 Synthetic.

I'd probably just reach for the Mobil 1 that's sitting on the shelf below, or next to it then...

**mmark.** · 03-17-2007, 02:18 AM

April first is two weeks away.

m

**HBpredhunter** · 03-17-2007, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by upperguy

What happens when I get pulled over while running this? anyone know what kind of fine is associated with running this oil on the street?

oh no, no fine. just jail time/mandatory impound/car crushing.

**Flexia** · 03-17-2007, 07:23 AM

don't you think 5w30 is a little thin for the s52? Heck I'm running 15w50, in ohio

**lemoscg** · 03-17-2007, 09:34 AM

Wow, not street legal. What will they think of next. "This oil will give you an extra 50 hp" Now that's something I would buy. Well, only if they could prove it....

**Rob Levinson** · 03-17-2007, 09:47 AM

Hopefully the OP is just making a joke here... y'all do realize the difference between regular oil and "racing" oil, right?

Okay, for those that don't know...

"Racing" oil has a few minor differences compared to regular oil. Usually these differences are reduced detergent levels and higher amounts of zinc.

So what benefit is gained from those changes?

Keep in mind a real race motor is built and used differently than your regular street motor. A race motor is just another part that is built to perform as well as possible to win that race... and nobody cares if it lasts longer than that race or that season. The temperatures, rpm, and wear that a race motor sees in one race is dramatically more extreme than a street motor.

The reduced detergent in race oil is a useful change as it reduces foaming at high rpm, and also lets the oil resist thinning (loss of viscosity) and extreme temperatures. In a street car, you want detergent to reduce oil sludge buildup... and the extremes of temperature and extended high rpm are not conditions a street motor experiences.

Zinc used as an extreme pressure anti-wear additive. The zinc is only used when there is actual metal to metal contact in the engine. Hopefully the oil will do its job and this will rarely occur, but if it does, the zinc compounds react with the metal to prevent scuffing and wear. There is a normal amount of zinc added to street motor oil, but much more is added to race oil. Is there such a thing as too much? Certainly. More doesn't give you better protection, it gives you longer protection if the rate of metal to metal contact is abnormally high. Normal operating conditions for a racecar, really bad situation for a street car. High zinc content can lead to deposit formation and plug fouling. Again, not a worry for a race motor but unacceptable in a street motor.

As for "not street legal"... well, I imagine that's a bit of marketing hyperbole and not strictly accurate. The oil is not SAE-rated for your street car (your owner's manual tells you what rated grade to use - SF, SG, SJ, etc.) and the correct-rating oil is part of the engine's initial federal emissions certification. Don't worry, EPA agents aren't going to pull you over! Really, it's not a question of "certification", it's the manufacturer's recommendation for optimum engine longevity, performance, and fuel economy. BMW engines in particular are sensitive to oil changes (note how BMW has a unique type of oil for S62 engines), and the "best" oil to use is the grade and seasonal weight outlined in your owner's manual. Synthetic is preferable, but what is more important is frequent changes.

Hope that helps!

**The Letter M** · 03-17-2007, 11:55 AM

Great post, Rob, I think some people think anything "race" is what they need for their high performance daily driver, which is of course, not true.

Is this even a real product?? If so, I couldn't see this label on their web site anywhere.

When I do see something as ridiculous as "NOT STREET LEGAL" on an oil product, I also see it as an insult to my intellect, and as such, I avoid it like I would any other product that has been brought to market to appeal to the ignorant among us.

Can you imagine how many people at Valvoline would have had to approve this labelling?

If it is real, what does that imply about this company and their respect for their customers?

I'm not convinced it is a real label, but it matters little to me as I don't normally buy their products anyway.

It would be stupid to run any race only oil in a daily driver, no matter what brand.

**Rob Levinson** · 03-17-2007, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by The Letter M

When I do see something as ridiculous as "NOT STREET LEGAL" on an oil product, I also see it as an insult to my intellect, and as such, I avoid it like I would any other product that has been brought to market to appeal to the ignorant among us.

Well, yes. Lots of marketing like that, unfortunately.

Can you imagine how many people at Valvoline would have had to approve this labelling?

If it is real, what does that imply about this company and their respect for their customers?

I'm not convinced it is a real label, but it matters little to me as I don't normally buy their products anyway.

It is a real label - do a quick Google search and you'll find it for sale.

I don't have a bone to pick with Valvoline, their products are tested and graded the same as any other major brand. It's oil, after all, not the miracle fluid that some marketing would have us believe seperates one brand from another.

Want the biggest oil "catering to the ignorant" marketing? The concept of "motorcycle" oil as different from car oil, and at 2X-3X the price. That is total nonsense.

At least with "racing" oil, they explain that the formula really is different... even if they are catering to the "ooh, I want race parts in my street car 'cuz it's phat, yo!" crowd.

- Rob

**The Letter M** · 03-17-2007, 12:30 PM

Yup, found it after my post...

While I also have no reason to believe that Valvoline products are any lesser or greater than any other similar products, I dislike the concept behind this label enough to hold their intentions with a bit of contempt, but some might say that maybe they really were trying to tell people not to use it on a street car, and I suspect that may be partially true, but with a bit of a spin.

In fact, they have left this label so that it cleverly states that it is not for street use, yet it is worded to appeal to the "'cuz it's phat, yo!" crowd, which, on the one hand states it's intended use, but on the other, may boost sales within a specific demographic.

I agree completely with your comparison to the motorcycle oil marketing as well, that has always been a head scratcher...

**Balthazarr** · 03-17-2007, 01:23 PM

From what I've read and heard, mc oil has to provide higher sheer resistance and film strength and oiliness.

Bike engines see over 7K rpm regularly and some double that.
Whether or not regular motor oil that we use in cars can afford those properties, IDK.

I don't buy the sh*t. I use Mobil 15W-50 or 20W-50 in my Italian stallion.

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