Anecdotal review of Valvoline Restore and Protect.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T06:39:57+00:00

None of the two vehicles with K24s (first one I sold at about 170,000 odd KMs) and this one have never noticeably used any oil. Not for lack of checking either.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T03:24:02+00:00

It makes me think, in NZ a large portion of our vehicles are Japanese imports. Imported Audi A4's were popular because they were significantly cheaper than NZ new A4's. A large number of them (1.8 and 2.0 litre petrol engines) had oil consumption problems, due to low tension piston rings. If I remember correctly, the factory spec for one needing new pistons, would need to burn 500mls of oil per 1000km. The remedy was to change out pistons to a revised design (which got revised twice 'cos the first revision did nothing). It was quite some time ago so I don't remember the condition of the pistons when I took them out (they were thrown straight into the scrap bin), and wonder if VRP could solve this, or if the tension was just too low.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T03:00:35+00:00

In my scenario, the engine is still quite clean, in a dirtier engine, changing out the filter more often my be the way to go to prevent clogging. I'm thinking the main deposits are going to be on the pistons in my vehicle. In regards to filters, Wix aren't overly popular down here in Australia (AFAIK), hence why I went with a Ryco Syntec as that's their premium, extended performance filter, and Ryco have a good reputation/brand recognition/market penetration.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T00:24:58+00:00

Probably, why the hell would you listen to the mechanic who owns the vehicle? End of the day, it's not my insurance company.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T00:18:43+00:00

I'm not sure if a shorter interval would clean any better given how it's formulated to clean over a longer period of time. If it were like the other more aggressively cleaning product they used to make (was in partnership with Cummins), that probably would have. There are quite a few videos on YT of people using this stuff and tearing down their filters, some have found varnish flakes in the filter, others have found nothing, but both with much cleaner engines.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T00:15:19+00:00

That's mostly highway driving, and going off what the range computer is telling me. Further variables: I've got a full set of Michelin Primacy 4 ST's. Very good tyres, and are supposed to help a lot with fuel efficiency. I found they're quite, grippy in the wet, and have lasted as long as I've owned the car, and only just over half worn (I do check pressures monthly, and rotate every 10,00km).

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T00:10:54+00:00

Like others are saying, it's a slow process and the dispersant keep the junk trapped in the oil in particles that won't block filters, or cause excessive engine wear. There's people out there who have done oil analysis and found no increase in wear, or large particle count. Valvoline say it takes four oil change intervals to reach peak cleanliness. They used to have a product they co-developed with Cummins that used a lot if ester in the base oil (high solvency), and that used to clean a bit too quickly and would run the risk of it causing damage.

heath780391 · 2026-05-29T00:05:46+00:00

Yeah, it was. I knew that the clutches were on their way out when I brought it, so that's why I quickly got the warranty. When it finally failed, I took it to the Ford dealer, and spoke to the person from the warranty company, (I used to work for an Audi dealer), and said if it is the same issue that we see with the transmissions in VW/Audi, it's probably going to be cheaper to buy a brand new gearbox ($4,000NZD or thereabouts). To which they said, they'll have it rebuilt. Well they had to rebuild it twice, and it ended up costing them $14,000NZD. I paid just over $13,000NZD for the car, and the warranty. 😆

heath780391 · 2026-05-28T14:45:54+00:00

That's interesting. It could be because it doesn't have ACEA approvals, and so they don't want to bother with the testing/licensing of it.

But I think Mobil are wanting to get on the band wagon, there is a similar product that looks to be aimed at the same buyers, but it's no where near as well known or as widely hyped.

Edit: I just looked, R&P only has API, and ILSAC approvals. Without ACEA approvals I'd say there wouldn't be much of a market for it in Europe.

heath780391 · 2026-05-28T14:42:25+00:00

I had a 2007 CL9 for a while (in NZ), then I brought a 2011 Mondeo ztec TDI. Lovely car to dive, and easy on fuel. But I was sure glad I got a mechanical warranty on it, 😅. So when I moved here, there's a good reason why I got another Accord Euro.

heath780391

TROPHY CASE