AMSOIL vs Valvoline - Which products are best?

With so many engine oil companies on the market, it can be difficult to know which is best for your vehicle. That's why I've put my years of experience as an automotive/truck engineer to good use in this article.

We'll break down two motor oil giants: AMSOIL vs Valvoline.  We will explore how these brands differ and which oil is best for different applications. You'll find technical breakdowns of similar products from both brands first, followed by a more general brand vs. brand analysis at the end.

AMSOIL vs Valvoline: Which Oil is Best?

When it comes to lubricants and other automotive products, both AMSOIL and Valvoline offer a very wide range of products covering many applications. But which is best and for what?

Let's begin with some of the more popular engine oils from each brand. First we'll compare Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20 with AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-20. These are some of the best options in terms of full synthetic motor oil for your normal passenger vehicle.

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic 5W-20 vs Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20

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From what we can gather from the technical specs provided by both of these companies, AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-20 dominates across all measured metrics compared to Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20.

AMSOIL's higher kinematic viscosity values at both 40°C and 100°C, combined with its better high-temperature/high-shear (HTHS) viscosity, indicate stronger protection at high temperatures and under stress. Most notably, AMSOIL's NOACK volatility is nearly three times lower (5.8% vs 15.0%), suggesting significantly better oil consumption control and high-temperature stability. AMSOIL's substantially lower pour point (-50°C vs -36°C) indicates better cold-weather performance and faster cold starts.

But how do the two compare in terms of cost?

Pricing

While Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic retails for $11.49 per quart at major retailers, slightly cheaper than AMSOIL at Preferred Customer pricing, direct price comparisons don't tell the complete story when evaluating long-term value.

Another thing to consider here is oil change interval length. Valvoline recommends following manufacturer service intervals, which typically range from 3,000 to 7,500 miles depending on driving conditions and vehicle specifications. This means the average driver, covering 15,000 miles annually, would need 2-5 oil changes per year using Valvoline's product.

AMSOIL Signature Series, on the other hand, is guaranteed for up to 25,000 miles or one year between changes. For that same 15,000-mile annual driver, this means just one oil change per year. When calculating total annual cost, including labor and filter changes, AMSOIL's extended drain interval can result in significant savings despite a higher initial purchase price. This difference becomes even more pronounced for high-mileage drivers or fleet operators who would otherwise require multiple oil changes throughout the year.

Beyond direct cost savings, fewer oil changes also mean less time spent on maintenance, reduced vehicle downtime, and less waste oil requiring disposal - factors that contribute to the overall value proposition but are harder to quantify in pure dollar terms.

AMSOIL Signature Series is the clear winner vs. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic. If you want to spend less throughout the year on oil and you want a higher quality product, AMSOIL is your best choice.

Let's continue comparing AMSOIL and Valvoline motor oils for different, purpose-specific applications.

AMSOIL 0W-20 High-Mileage vs. Valvoline 0W-20 High Mileage

You're not a real motor oil company if you don't sell a high-mileage oil, are you? Let's see how the AMSOIL and Valvoline high-mileage engine oils stack up. We'll look at AMSOIL 0W-20 High-Mileage vs. Valvoline 0W-20 High Mileage.

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Looking at these technical specifications, again, the AMSOIL High-Mileage 0W-20 demonstrates superior performance in several key areas. It has a higher viscosity index (173 vs 165), indicating better viscosity stability across temperature changes, and its lower pour point (-45°C vs -39°C) suggests better cold-weather performance. Most notably, AMSOIL's NOACK volatility is significantly lower (10.1% vs 15.0%), meaning it experiences less oil burn-off at high temperatures, which is particularly important for high-mileage engines prone to oil consumption. The higher kinematic viscosity at 100°C (8.6 vs 8.4) and slightly higher HTHS viscosity (2.76 vs 2.7) indicate AMSOIL's oil maintains a marginally thicker protective film at high temperatures and under stress.

We also have comparison test data for these oils to review.

TE0ST 33C Results (ASTM D6335)

TE0ST 33C is an industry-standard (ILSAC GF-6 Spec) test that stands for Thermo-Oxidation Engine Oil Simulation Test. This is a test developed by Savant Labs to simulate the severe conditions experienced in turbochargers, which operate under extreme temps often exceeding 300°C. Engine oil is heated to 100°C and exposed to a mix of moist air and nitrous oxide, simulating the engine crankcase atmosphere. Then, the oil is pumped through a casing containing the Depositor Rod, which undergoes cyclic heating between 200°C and 480°C, mimicking temp fluctuations in the turbocharger rotor shaft. After the test, the oil deposits formed on the depositor rod, those that have fallen off the rod, and any deposits formed in the circulating oil are weighed.

Based on independent TE0ST 33C testing of AMSOIL 0W-20 100% Synthetic High-Mileage Motor Oil, Valvoline Full Synthetic High-Mileage with MaxLife Technology 0W-20 Motor Oil (batch code J2622C5 purchased December 21, 2022) and Mobil 1 High-Mileage 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil (batch code 11022L21A 6606 purchased December 8, 2022) in the industry-standard TEOST 33C Test (ASTM D6335), AMSOIL High-Mileage Motor Oil provides up to 62% better deposit prevention.

AMSOIL was the only high-milage motor oil tested (vs Valvoline and vs Mobil 1) that met the requirements to pass the ILSAC GF-6 specification.

Pricing

We've established that the AMSOIL High-Mileage Oil scores better on every technical specification and even in independent lab testing results. How do their prices compare?

Both oils are priced very similarly at retail, while AMSOIL Preferred Customers can pickup AMSOIL High-Mileage Motor Oil much cheaper than Valvoline's. It's also important to note that AMSOIL guarantees this oil will last up to 12,000 miles or 1 year, while Valvoline recommends sticking with the vehicle manufacturers-recommended interval (normally anywhere between 3,000 and 7,500 miles).

AMSOIL is already the cheaper option here, but with their extended drain intervals, assuming a typical oil change interval of 5,000 miles, AMSOIL High-Mileage would require less than half the oil changes per year compared to Valvoline, saving you even more money in the long run.

AMSOIL DOMINATOR Racing Oil vs Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil

Valvoline claims to have "America's #1 racing oil..." so let's compare racing-specific motor oils from each brand. We'll compare AMSOIL DOMINATOR 10W-30 Oil with Valvoline VR1 Full Synthetic Racing Motor Oil SAE 10W-30, since both are full synthetic.

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Again, from comparing these two oils, the AMSOIL product comes out on top. AMSOIL DOMINATOR® 10W-30 dominates in several key areas compared to Valvoline VR1 10W-30.

AMSOIL shows higher viscosity values at both 40°C and 100°C and a better viscosity index (156 vs 152), suggesting better protection at high temperatures and more stable viscosity across temperature ranges. The AMSOIL product also has significantly better cold-weather performance with a lower pour point (-42°C vs -33°C), though Valvoline does show slightly better cold cranking performance.

While both oils have similar TBN values for acid neutralization (8.0 vs 8.1), AMSOIL provides additional data points like flash point and HTHS viscosity that Valvoline doesn't disclose, suggesting more comprehensive testing and transparency in their technical specifications.

Pricing & Customer Reviews

There is a significant price difference in these two products. AMSOIL is significantly more expensive than the Valvoline VR1, but the PC discount closes that gap considerably. With any high horsepower vehicle, quality engine oil is a must to protect your engine. As we've already seen, AMSOIL DOMINATOR's technical specifications far exceed that of Valvoline VR1.

Both products have a 4.9 out of 5 star rating on the company websites, with AMSOIL DOMINATOR having 54 reviews and Valvoline VR1 having 36. None of the Valvoline customer reviews mention AMSOIL, but an AMSOIL customer review does mention the Valvoline Oil:

"Have a heavily built N/A K20/24 swapped Civic Sedan and I was previously running Valvoline VR1 20W-50. A lot of my buddies kept telling me about Amsoil, but I always balked because of the price. After doing some research, I finally pulled the trigger and bought some for an oil change, and now I don’t think I’ll use anything but Amsoil Dominator 15W-50 in the car. It’s tuned on Ethanol (E85) and I’ve noticed less issues with the Amsoil, better throttle response, and quieter valves. Only about 150 miles in, but I really like what I’ve seen thus far!"

If price is the most important factor you're considering for your racing engine oil, Valvoline is probably your best option. But if you want to maximize performance and protection, choose AMSOIL. Using a cheaper, lower quality oil might save you money up front, but could cost you much more in the long-term if critical engine components begin to fail.

Company Overviews

Both engine oil companies have shaped the automotive lubricants industry, though in notably different ways. AMSOIL's claim to fame was the first API-certified, fully synthetic motor oil introduced in 1972.  Valvoline's history dates back to 1866, making it one of America's oldest and most recognized lubricant brands.

AMSOIL vs Valvoline: Company Differences

Even with similar product applications, AMSOIL and Valvoline have differing business philosophies. AMSOIL relies on a network of independent dealers, Preferred Customers, and business partnerships (through Installer, Retail, and Commercial Accounts). They keep their products off the shelves of most big-box stores and provide more personal service. Most AMSOIL products bolster extended drain intervals and superior performance. AMSOIL is a 100% US-owned business.

Whereas Valvoline products can be found about anywhere engine oil is sold. They provide many conventional and synthetic blend formulations. Their company-owned & franchisee-operated oil change centers signify a broader, more corporate approach to business. In 2023, Valvoline's global products business was acquired by Saudi Arabian-owned oil company, Aramco.

AMSOIL

AMSOIL Inc. was founded in 1968 (under a different name) by Al Amatuzio. As a jet fighter squadron commander, Amatuzio saw the benefits of synthetic oil in action. He wondered why synthetics weren't being used in auto engines at the time. This led to the development of the first API-certified 100% synthetic motor oil for automotive use.

Key aspects of AMSOIL's approach:

• AMSOIL primarily focuses on fully synthetic lubricants over a wide range of applications.
• Thousands of AMSOIL Dealers and heavy marketing efforts support their direct-to-consumer sales model.
• They also offer Commercial, Retail, & Installer Account types for any and every business.
• Strategic partnerships with racing sanctions and engineering companies (like Banks Power & Snocross).
• Extensive investment in research and development with their own testing facilities.
• Privately held company maintaining focus on product quality over mass market appeal.

Valvoline

Valvoline was established in 1866 and introduced the world's first branded motor oil. Since then, they've grown into one of the largest automotive oil companies in the world. As of 2024, it's estimated they have over 11,000 employees. A recent acquisition by Aramco (a Saudi Arabian company) has strengthened its global presence.

Key aspects of Valvoline's approach:

• Diverse products range from conventional to synthetic oils, trans fluids, and more.
• An extensive network of 2,000+ instant oil change centers. Nearly 50/50 split between company- and franchisee-operated.
• Balanced focus between products and services
• Manufacturing facilities across many countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and India.
• Publicly traded company (NYSE: VVV)
• Recent strategic focus on electric and hybrid vehicle products

Is AMSOIL better than Valvoline?

From the technical comparisons across multiple product lines, AMSOIL consistently demonstrates superior performance metrics compared to equivalent Valvoline products.

Looking at everything from standard motor oils to high-mileage and racing formulations, AMSOIL shows better viscosity stability, lower oil consumption (NOACK volatility), better cold-weather performance, and passes more rigorous testing standards like the TEOST 33C test. While AMSOIL products typically have a higher initial cost than Valvoline, their extended drain intervals (often 2-3 times longer) and superior protection characteristics make them more economical in the long run.

Additionally, as a company focused exclusively on synthetic lubricants with their own testing facilities and racing partnerships, AMSOIL appears more committed to pushing the boundaries of lubricant technology compared to Valvoline's broader, mass-market approach.

For the protection you demand and the performance you deserve, choose AMSOIL. Save up to 25% on all products once you become an AMSOIL Preferred Customer.‍