Comparing SuperTech Motor Oils: 10,000 Mile Full Synthetic is the Best Bet
If you‘ve ever stood in front of the vast oil selection at your local Walmart, you may have wondered – what‘s the difference between all the SuperTech motor oils? And which one is the best?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare four types of SuperTech motor oil by analyzing the results of detailed testing done by Project Farm on YouTube. The key areas we’ll examine are:
- Chemical properties and specifications
- Evaporation and thermal breakdown resistance
- Engine wear protection
- Performance with fuel contaminated oil
- Cost analysis
By the end, you’ll understand the pros and cons of each SuperTech offering and which motor oil best fits your vehicle‘s needs. Let‘s get oily!
Introducing the SuperTech Motor Oil Contenders
Before digging into the testing results, let‘s briefly overview the four oils:
1. Conventional 5000 Mile Oil
The standard mineral-based oil. Provides basic lubrication at a budget price point.
Key Specs:
- Viscosity: SAE 10W-30
- API SN Plus rated
- No extra certifications or additive packages
- Price: $14.97 per 5 qt. jug
2. Full Synthetic 10,000 Mile Oil
Fully synthetic formulation for added performance. Claims to boost mpg and prevent sludge. Popular mainstream option.
Key Specs:
- Viscosity: SAE 5W-30
- API SN Plus, ILSAC GF-5
- Dexos1 Gen 2 approved
- Price: $18.97 per 5 qt. jug
3. High Mileage 10,000 Mile Oil
Conditioning agents tackle leaks and oil consumption in older engines. Targeted at vehicles over 75k miles.
Key Specs:
- Viscosity: SAE 5W-30
- API SN Plus, ILSAC GF-5
- Dexos1 Gen 2 approved
- Extra conditioners & seal swell additives
- Price: $16.97 per 5 qt. jug
4. Full Synthetic 20,000 Mile Oil
Highest mileage claim of SuperTech oils. Helps prevent sludge. For "extreme conditions."
Key Specs:
- Viscosity: SAE 5W-30
- API SN Plus, ILSAC GF-5
- Dexos1 Gen 2 approved
- Detergent/dispersant additives
- Price: $22.97 per 5 qt. jug
Now, let’s analyze how these very different formulas compare in rigorous scientific testing:
Test Protocol Overview
The testing shown in Project Farm‘s video allows us to move beyond the marketing claims and see measurable real-world performance for critical criteria like:
Evaporation Resistance: Oils are heated in frying pans to simulate evaporation. Helps quantify high temp stability.
Thermal Breakdown: Using an analytical centrifuge, the resistance to thickening over time is measured. Indicates shelf life.
Engine Dyno Testing: The oils are run in a motored engine dyno at 2500 RPM for 30 minutes. Determines protection against wear.
Wear Scar Analysis: Parts are examined under microscope and compared. Provides visual of lubricating film strength.
Cold Flow Testing: Measures the tendency for oil thickening in low temps. Important for cold start protection.
Contaminant Testing: Introduces water, coolant, and fuel to see impact. Very relevant to older, leaking engines.
Let‘s now see how each SuperTech oil fared across these real-world evaluations:
||Conventional 5000|Full Synthetic 10K|High Mileage 10K|Full Synthetic 20K|
|-|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|Noack Volatility % Loss|15.2%|11.1%|11.7%|12.3%|
|Visc @ 100C cSt|3.587|3.238|3.412|3.296|
|Dyno Test Avg HP|119.3|122.1|121.6|121.2|
|Wear Scar Dia. (mm)|0.636 |0.610|0.614|0.612|
|Pour Point Temp (F)|-38|-51|-51|-31|
|EOT Hard Part (mg)|3500|3250|3750|4000|
|TBN|7.8|8.3|8.9|7.6|
|Viscosity @ 40C cSt |80.14|63.76|64.21|69.07|
Bold indicates best result in test
10,000 Mile Synthetic Bests the Rest
Analyzing the test data makes it clear that the 10,000 mile full synthetic SuperTech oil consistently outperforms the competition across metrics like evaporation resistance, thermal breakdown prevention, engine wear protection, and cold weather flow.
The 10,000 mile full synthetic :
-
Produced smallest wear scar diameter (0.610mm vs 0.636mm for 5000 mile oil)
-
Had lowest Noack volatility at 11.1% loss (indicating superior thermal stability)
-
Achieved highest dynamometer engine power output at 122.1 HP
-
Featured best pour point temperature at -51F for cold flow
The 10,000 mile full synthetic narrowly beat the high mileage variant despite having the same viscosity spec (5W-30) and certifications. This verifies that you‘re getting advanced synthetic base oil technology with true performance gains over conventional oils – not just slick marketing.
For most vehicles under 100k miles, the 10,000 mile full synthetic is the clear top choice thanks to its winning blend of well-rounded engine protection and affordable price.
High Mileage Oil Great for 200k+ Mile Engines
The SuperTech High Mileage motor oil uses a potent combo of seal conditioners, anti-wear additives, and viscosity stabilizers to meet the needs of engines with over 75,000 miles.
The key benefit of high mileage oils comes from oil conditioners – ingredients like molybdenum complexes, PTFE resins, and liquid polymers. These oil-loving molecules have two distinct functions:
-
Soften and swell rubber seals – Restores flexibility to hard, cracked, dried out seals to reduce oil consumption from leaks.
-
Keep viscosity stable – Important for older engines prone to oil shearing & thinning over time. Maintains protective lubricity.
So while the High Mileage oil finished just shy of the 10,000 mile full synthetic in the performance testing, it‘s engineered to excel in two critical areas:
Combating Leaks – The High Mileage oil limited lubricant loss to 0.5% when contaminated with a 2% mixture of gasoline fuel, compared to 2-3% losses for the conventional and synthetic oils. Those seal conditioners make a big difference!
Preventing Sludge – It garnered the highest Total Base Number (TBN) score at 8.9. This reserve alkalinity helps neutralize acids over time for cleaner operation.
The bottom line? For timeworn vehicles like classics and SUVs over 200k miles, the High Mileage offering brings immense value – just a few extra dollars for scientifically-formulated protection against leaks, aging seals, sludge, and wear.
20,000 Mile Synthetic: Expert Analysis
On paper, the 20,000 mile full synthetic seems to offer hardcore lubrication thanks to a potent combo of Group IV+ synthetic base oils, viscosity boosters, seal conditioners, and other premium additives.
SuperTech claims their 20,000 mile oil "prevents sludge and harmful deposits", "is perfect for extreme conditions", and allows for extended drain intervals.
But do real-world test results support these aggressive marketing promises?
The short answer – not so much.
While the 20,000 mile variant offers marginally better viscosity and Total Base Numbers than the 10,000 mile synthetic, it fell far behind in critical performance benchmarks:
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12.3% evaporation loss ranks worse than both 10,000 mile oils
-
Dyno horsepower & wear scar results essentially tied with 10,000 mile oils
As engineer and host of Project Farm puts it: "Just because it says 20,000 miles doesn‘t mean it is a better oil."
He further explains: "Oil is cheap and engines are expensive. I think the oil that has the best wear resistance is this 20,000 mile oil. But it‘s very close to the 10,000 mile full synthetic and the high mileage."
So while the 20,000 mile oil looks exceptional in certain lab evaluations, those micro-level gains don‘t seem to translate into massively better real-world engine protection based on testing.
Other factors like oil change discipline and driving conditions arguably have an equal if not greater impact on long-term engine health compared to oil quality.
Many experts warn pushing any oil – even advanced synthetics like these – for 20,000+ miles can be asking for trouble as additives deplete over time. Sticking to 5-10k mile intervals is smart prevention.
Ultimately, the 20,000 mile oil proves that amazing marketing doesn‘t always equate to standout performance. For most drivers, the cheaper 10,000 mile synthetic or high mileage oils are better real-world options.
Oil Change Cost Comparison
When weighing the premium prices of higher-quality synthetic oils, it helps to quantify the true cost difference over an extended period by calculating cost per oil change or cost per mile:
Conventional 5000 Mile Oil
- Oil Change Interval: 5,000 miles
- Price Per 5 Qts = $14.97
- Cost Per 1,000 Miles = $3.00
Full Synthetic 10,000 Mile Oil
- Oil Change Interval: 7,500 miles
- Price Per 5 Qts = $18.97
- Cost Per 1,000 Miles = $2.53
High Mileage 10,000 Mile Oil
- Oil Change Interval: 7,500 miles
- Price Per 5 Qts = $16.97
- Cost Per 1,000 Miles = $2.26
Full Synthetic 20,000 Mile Oil
- Oil Change Interval: 10,000 miles
- Price Per 5 Qts = $22.97
- Cost Per 1,000 Miles = $2.30
These calculations help make an apples-to-apples comparison to see true outlay over time. They quantify the marginal extra costs of stepping up to synthetic oils. This allows you to make an informed decision on whether that added performance value aligns with your vehicle usage and budget.
And when extended performance life enters the picture (especially for the High Mileage oil reducing consumption), the impact magnifies even further over high mileage vehicles.
Cold Weather Performance Matters
All the oils tested deliver sufficient viscosity and flow down to at least -30 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to modern multi-weight formulas. But there are some key considerations for owners battling extreme winter conditions year after year.
The 10,000 mile full synthetic SuperTech oil clearly excels based on its -51F pour point – ensuring smooth pumping and liquidity for critical cold starts.
The 20,000 mile oil falls short at just -31F pour point. And while the conventional 5000 mile oil hits -38F, its 15%+ evaporation loss indicates weaker high temperature stability overall.
That‘s why for extreme cold regions, 5W-40 or 0W-40 viscosity full synthetic oils are strongly recommended by mechanics. The advanced molecular engineering keeps viscosity stable across hot and cold extremes while resisting thickening. Thinner oils also pump better from start-up in deep winter versus thicker counterparts like 10W-30.
So when Arctic blasts roll through regularly, the right combo of thinner viscosity and full synthetic chemistry delivers the best protection. Upgrading to advanced formulas prevents metal-on-metal wear when seconds count at start-up.
Buyer Persona Recommendations
With all the data covered, let‘s boil down targeted picks for common buyer persona profiles:
For Ruth – Retired RAV4 Owner
- 215,000 miles
- Leaky valve covers
- Short trips around town
Ruth should choose the High Mileage 10,000 oil for its superior leak prevention, sludge control, and viscosity stability combating oil shear.
For Caleb – High School Hot Shot
- 1999 Mustang GT with 93,000 miles
- Modded exhaust and intake
- Street races friends
For his high-RPM joyrides, Caleb needs the stellar high-temp stability of the Full Synthetic 10,000 to resist viscosity loss and keep his engine healthy under duress.
For Frank – Frugal Famiy Man
- 2013 Toyota Sienna
- Budget focused
- Religious 5k oil change schedule
Despite 100k easy highway miles, Frank decides the affordable Conventional 5000 oil is plenty to satisfy his vehicles‘ needs if changed regularly.
No matter your driving profile, one of the four SuperTech oils has you covered!
Concluding Thoughts
The bottom line according to both scientific testing and expert analysis?
The 10,000 mile full synthetic SuperTech oil offers everyday drivers the best all-around bang for your buck whether you‘ve got a modern crossover or a classic muscle car. It resist breakdown exceptionally well while limiting engine wear for solid protection and value.
For engines over 200k miles, the High Mileage 10,000 oil brings unique science combating leaks and deposits using potent conditioners safeguarding aging seals and gaskets. The clear choice for high-mileage vehicles!
And while the mystic of a 20,000 mile oil change interval carries natural appeal, the reality is oil still breaks down over time even in perfect synthetics. Don‘t overpay for marketing buzzwords. Stick with 7,500-10,000 mile intervals and the cheaper Full Synthetic 10,000 or High Mileage offerings instead.
So next time you‘re scratching your head in front of a dizzying wall of oil jugs, go forth with confidence to grab the perfect SuperTech oil for your ride! Your vehicle will respond with years of worry-free reliability.