The TRUTH About Valvoline's BOLD Engine Cleaning Claims

Valvoline claims "Restore & Protect returns pistons to factory clean by removing up to 100% of deposits when used as directed," so 5,000 miles ago I put Valvoline's new Restore & Protect oil in my wife's van that has nearly 180,000 miles to see what happens. While I can't see the pistons to verify if the oil is actually working, I can analyze the used oil and inspect both the dipstick and the oil filter. The results shocked me. Every engine begins building up deposits the moment it starts up for the first time. Deposits in the piston ring grooves can negatively affect the performance of the piston rings - high blow by and increased oil consumption, so let's see what the used oil analysis reveal from this first oil change with Valvoline's Restore & Protect. To purchase Restore & Protect: https://link.amazon/B03jp9dUp To purchase Wix Oil Filters: https://link.amazon/B0gVOr6fg As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That just means that I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you choose to purchase that product from Amazon.com. It is a "free to you" way to help support the work of The Motor Oil Geek. To learn about used oil analysis, check out https://www.speediagnostix.com For a deeper dive into the science of lubrication, check out my good friend Rafe Britton's channel @LubricationExplained To learn more about Tribology, check out https://www.stle.org For a more in-depth discussion on oil change intervals, check out this video: https://youtu.be/fu7PlRsqMyA?si=lDiVUSYQ_bMstgbk To learn more about my dad, check out his interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr: https://youtu.be/6-h5nCiLdWQ?si=TO0vmkDoT6iH4Vb9 Who is the @themotoroilgeek ? I'm a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Certified Lubrication Specialist and Oil Monitoring Analyst (I've maintained both of those for over a decade). I also worked for Joe Gibbs Racing for 12 years as their lubricant specialist. During that time, we worked with Wix Filters (one of our sponsors) to test and develop filters for our race engines. We also worked with Lubrizol and Chevron-Phillips Chemical to test and develop oils for our race cars. Following that, I was the head of R&D for Driven Racing Oil. During that time, I formulated and tested over 50 products. We also worked with Cummins, Comp Cams, Oak Ridge National Labs and General Motors on various R&D products. Those efforts are recorded in peer reviewed white papers published by SAE International and ACS Sustainable Chemistry journals. I also own and operate SPEEDiagnostix, which provides used oil analysis. #motoroil #syntheticoil #oilchange #engineflush #valvoline 0:00 Testing the oil's claim 1:08 Taking the oil sample 2:17 Examining the dipstick 3:22 Analyzing engine wear 4:50 Laboratory report results 6:34 Evidence of cleaning 7:24 Real world vs industry data 8:23 Final conclusions