You want your engine to run forever? Well then, just pick yourself up some Valvoline motor oil and you're good to go until the 300,000 mile mark.
At least that's the guarantee the company is now offering to customers who religiously change their oil with Valvoline.
Now, of course, it's not quite that easy. Your car has to have less than 75,000 miles on it before you start and you have to show proof of your dedication along the way. There are probably a hundred other requirements for you to meet in order to have your vehicle "covered", but if you're looking for a little piece of mind, it's out there.
Valvoline Introduces 300,000 Mile Engine Guarantee
brn says:
10:35 AM, 06/ 4/09
"probably a hundred other requirements:
Real details at:
http://engineguarantee.com/display_page?page=about_program#TnC
The biggest is that they only cover "oil wetted" engine parts (e.g. cylinder heads, oil pump, pistons). Other parts that will need to be replaced are your problem. Labor, the most expensive aspect, is your problem. Wear and tear on "oil wetted" engine parts (timing chain excluded) is your problem.
Under the right circumstances, this may be beneficial. Other many other circumstances, not so much. None of my vehicles qualify, so I'm not sure I care. :)
estreka says:
11:54 AM, 06/ 4/09
I hope Mobil starts matching this offer. Even a nice discount on a 300K mile overhaul would be hugely beneficial.
jederino says:
12:27 PM, 06/ 4/09
I think 3,000 mile oil changes with Synthetic is overkill. Note how the conventional oil is only guaranteed to 150,000 miles. Safe to say that synthetic oils are good, but the the "oil wetted" parts are usually not your primary problem.
And, if you do make it that far, they have the option of paying you the kelly blue book value, which will be a fraction of the cost of an engine rebuild. It's a marketing stunt.
stephen987 says:
12:41 PM, 06/ 4/09
I note that valvetrain components aren't listed under "lubricated parts."
I also agree with jederino that synthetic oil should be good for much more than 3000 miles between changes. Valvoline is likely making up much of the cost of the program by insisting on this short interval.
Some other points:
1. Hardly anyone keeps a car to 300k. The guarantee is not transferable.
2. Even those who do keep the car that long are likely to violate the terms of the agreement to some extent. There is some "forgiveness" in the rules, but not much.
3. The vehicle warranty takes precedence over the Valvoline guarantee. So any engine failures that take place under warranty won't cost Valvoline a cent, unless there's a deductible involved, in which case Valvoline pays only the deductible.
It's a great stunt, but its real-world value is severely limited.
redliner says:
07:02 PM, 06/ 4/09
Does this mean i should switch oil brands?? Naa.
kingfish4 says:
06:04 AM, 06/ 5/09
Gee, I had a 86 Ford Ranger V6 that had 311K miles on it and changed the oil every 5K miles with Wolf's Head and it never had a problem, nor used any oil between changes, and that was with conventional oil. The person I sold the truck to used it as a delivery vehicle and sold it with 375K miles and it was still running strong.
Quaker State had a lifetime guarantee back in the 80's, and if you own a Chrysler, you have a lifetime powertrain warranty any how.
This is worthless.
crowb says:
11:21 AM, 06/ 5/09
jederino is right that its a marketing stunt. The reason behind the stunt is the trend over the last 10 years to extend drain intervals. When people go longer between oil changes, then Valvoline and their ilk don't sell as much oil. So by mandating that old stand by 3k oil change interval, they are hoping to get back a little of what they've lost.
Its also a great way to have people demand valvoline when they go to their quick lube place.
Total scam.
the_big_al says:
02:11 AM, 06/ 8/09
ya - I'm sure I am one those they are targeting... I switched a few years ago from Valvoline every 3K to M1 once a year or 10K... costs me $75-100 bucks a year in oil and filters for 3 vehicles. Not a bad price I say.