Blackstone Labs 10K Analysis Pennzoil Ultra Platinum

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Elt31987, Feb 17, 2022.

  1. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    I've been changing my oil at 10K since it was brand new and it doesn't burn any oil. So the last oil change 99K I changed it at 5K with Sunoco Ultra Synthetic and sent it for an analysis. Everything looked golden and was told to try 10K. This most recent time I ran it for 9.5K with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and the wear is essentially the same with double the miles. This was with 3 trips a week to the gym of about 1.5 miles each way in the summer AND winter first thing in the morning. With 2 days a week driving into Boston at about 100 miles round trip(One way is 65 MPH cruise control, the way home is stop and go). So basically some of the worst conditions which SHOULD qualify it as extreme conditions. Obviously everyone's driving habits are different but id say you cant put a blanket statement saying that changing every 10K is going to ruin your engine. At least in my case the engine burns no oil at 110K with changing the oil every 10K its entire life(Except for the one time it was changed at 5K). For 25 bucks for 5 quarts the Pennzoil is an absolute steal.
     

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    #1 Elt31987, Feb 17, 2022
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  2. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Yeah Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is among the best of the best synthetic motor oils to use.
     
    #2 CooCooCaChoo, Feb 17, 2022
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  3. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    Thanks for posting and sharing. I always wondered if I was loosing any engine longevity by changing at 10k? The oil never looks all that bad!
     
    #3 robsnyder20, Feb 19, 2022
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  4. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    Agreed even at 10K the oil wasn't crazy dark
     
    #4 Elt31987, Feb 19, 2022
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    On the dipstick, or a collected jar?

    That said, with most conventional cars, even the oil on the dipstick looks terrible by 10K.

    Here's a comparison I did, with around 4k kms on the oil, vs new, with our 2010. Both oils are Toyota 0W20:

    upload_2022-2-19_9-31-29.png
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Feb 19, 2022
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  6. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    Dipstick wipe on a white cloth looked pretty clean considering. Oil as it was draining was still partially see through with a light. I definitely won't be pushing the oil change to 12K. I always wanted to just be able to do the 10K and it looks like at least for me that should be fine
     
    #6 Elt31987, Feb 19, 2022
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    4th gen have better piston rings and track record, that's for sure.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Feb 19, 2022
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  8. Jburner

    Jburner Member

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    I’m wondering if because of the hybrid system and the engine turning off so often, that the oil is essentially getting half the life of ICE only vehicles.

    On a side note…
    Think there is any harm in using 0w-16 in Gen 4? Found a bunch of qts of Castrol for $2/qt
     
    #8 Jburner, Mar 3, 2022
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  9. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    For 25 bucks for 5 quart's I would stick with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W20. The difference is likely marginal
     
    #9 Elt31987, Mar 4, 2022
  10. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The cheapest new clean 0w20 synthetic oil that meets specifications is better than the most expensive oil at 5 k miles.

    At 5 k miles, gasoline blowby products, and carbon and dirt detritus will continue to circulate throughout the engine for another 5 k miles.

    Nothing beats clean oil and a new filter. Oil and filters over the life of a car are cheap compared to a new engine. I'd use any money paid to Blackstone Labs to pay for a more frequent oil change.
     
    #10 Georgina Rudkus, Mar 4, 2022
  11. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    Again, this is just an experiment of mine own desire. I recommend everyone due their own due diligence. But I'm MY case the 10K oil changes I've been doing over the past 110K show no issues at all. Everyone's experience will vary. And honestly, I'm just waiting a few years for more BEV trucks to come out and ill be purchasing one. Fingers crossed on a BEV Tacoma.
     
    #11 Elt31987, Mar 4, 2022
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  12. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    FWIW the 2022 OM and Maintenance Schedule specifically states to us 0w16 with 12m/10000 mile intervals and if 0w20 is used then it is to be replaced with 0w16 at 6m/5000 miles.
     
    #12 Doug McC, Mar 5, 2022
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  13. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    Yeah same with the prior years except it was use 0w20 for 10K and if 5w20 was used to change it at 5K with 0w20
     
    #13 Elt31987, Mar 5, 2022
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah seems like mostly a text editing exercise, a policy change. I doubt the engine is revised in any significant way.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Mar 5, 2022
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    #15 Mendel Leisk, Mar 5, 2022
  16. Jburner

    Jburner Member

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    #16 Jburner, Mar 5, 2022
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah, the one weight they DON’T mention is 0W16. :rolleyes:
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Mar 5, 2022
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  18. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    I can remember when we got our 2008 F 250 and the recommendation was for 5w20. I thought they had lost their minds. Did a lot a research and found that the tighter clearances somehow tolerated the lighter oils.
    watching the Car Care Nut on YouTube and his VERY strong recommendation for avoiding oil burning problems in a Gen4 Prius was sticking with the 0w16 and being very careful not to overfill. FWIW

    It is very strange that the OM for our Prius sold in the USA doesn’t give any options other than 0w16 for 10,000 mile oil changes, even for “severe use”.
     
    #18 Doug McC, Mar 18, 2022
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