What the heck?? Anyone else scratching their heads over this one??
does ferrari recommend them at an oil change? or is that just we will pay you ___ so we can say that?
Not exactly the texbook definition of a "barn find", and I doubt we'll be seeing many 430s at the local Jiffy Lube.
I didn't see the commercial, but I know that the Pennzoil Quaker State Corp is owned by Shell. Shell has owned PQS for a few years now (since 2001 if I remember correctly) and I believe there has been ongoing technology sharing among the various brands for a while now. In fact, since 2002, I have been using QS oils in my cars as Shell lubricants are less available in the US. Furthermore, in the last couple of years, QS oils are more consumer-positioned towards performance in the US, while the Shell lubes are more consumer-oriented outside the US i.e. EU, etc. I hope this helps.
I'm still wondering whether Ferrari has actually "recommended" Qpower ... ... unless they're talking about Anthony Ferrari of Ferrari's Gourmet Market in Corolla, North Carolina.
I keep all mine in a barn like that...... I just saw that during F1 race......I think I'll stick with the Shell pectin.....
Giving that Qpower is a lot cheaper I will use that instead of Shell Helix from now on. Probably the same stuff. Where are the experts when you need them.????
I was unaware that Shell bought Quaker State, however, it's still surprising to me that Ferrari would allow verbal endorsement of one brand when there is such strong product recognition/affiliation with another brand (regardless of the fact that they are both Shell products). Obviously their objective is to appeal to the masses to show that if Ferrari endorses Quaker State then it must be awesome oil! Understandable now that I know Shell owns them but still surprising nevertheless.
I was surprised also, at the Quaker State commercial and the Ferrari endorsement. A new path for both, and a real kick-off for QS! I hope it also means an upgrade in QS performance oils, for us gearheads, who perceive it as an "old man's oil" or one for cheap-skates. Hendrick Racing, advertises that the #24--Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet, uses QS, and he is one of the top drivers in NASCAR, as well as one of the top teams. It will be interesting to follow and see what happens. Ciao...Paolo
Ah yes, the NASCAR connection has been found. My evil plan continues to evolve... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=136848838&postcount=74 Enjoy the ride.
It goes to show you that marketing works. I use Shell Helix exclusively in my F cars but use other brands in my other cars (Mobil 1). Now that I know Shell owns Quaker State and even has Ferrari endorse the brand ... I might consider using Quaker State's premium oil the next time around. Have to support the cause!
It's simple. You can't get Shell oil at K-Mart, Target or Wal-Mart, but you can get Quaker State there. I still prefer Castrol or Valvoline, but that's just me..
just saw a print ad of the commercial in either road and track or motor trend. Ferrari mentioned by name there too.
Interesting to note (this thread prompted me to go back to watch my recording of the race, this time skipping the race!): "Ferrari recommends Q HorsePower SAE 5W-40 and SAE 10W-60 for its cars." Also 'Exclusive Ferrari Interveiw at Qpower.com" An interesting quote from the interview with Jean-Jacques His, Director of the Powertrain Department for Ferrari GranTurismo. "The development of a high-performance engine means that we have to limit the mechanical losses (for power, for fuel consumption), and no compromise can be done on oil viscosity for engine safety." Sounds like he doesn't like thin oil in Ferraris... Just noticed on their website also, under Q HorsePower that the available grades are: 5W-30, 10W-40, 5W-20 and 5W-50. I'll bet I know the only source for the 5W-40 and 10W-60! Quaker State seems to tie their racing oils in with Jegs, but they only have the racing oils. Something Ali Haas (but perhaps not the Ferrari engineer quoted above) would love, they carry the 0W-5 racing oil!
Martin, I am not an "expert" by any means, but if you looks at the data sheets on both the "standard" QS synthetic, and their "high performance" synthetic, none of the specs match up with the Shell Helix in the same viscosities (like 5w-30). I have no idea if one is superior to the other, but Brian Crall (Rifledriver) observes that Helix foams up excessively, and does not recommend it.
Greetings, I am a Mechanical Engineer and ASE Master Certified technician working at Quaker State Research in Houston, TX. I am not in marketing or sales! I work in lubricant formulations and motorsports support. If you have a technical question I can help with, please let me know. Shell bought Pennzoil-Quaker State a fews years ago. The Helix brand is not available in the US. Q is available in the US. Ferrari recommends the Q HorsePower 5W-40 and 10W-60. The Q Racing(TM) oils are a completely separate line that was originally designed for track-only performance for certain NASCAR, NHRA and WoO applications. The grades include a 0W-5, 0W-20, 17.5W-35 and 15W-50. We have NOT tested Q Racing(TM) in any Ferrari. Ferrari does NOT recommend these Q Racing(TM) oils. Hendricks Motorsports uses slight tweaks of the Q oils depending on the track, restrictor plate versus open engine and ongoing engineering updates. Hope this helps.
Dude welcome aboard! As you see we shoot the breeze ENDLESSLY about oils, for our machinery.. Search out the voluminous research by our resident expert here, Dr. AE Haas, a heart surgeon in Florida who drives an Enzo..with full peroidic spectranalysis... I'm sponsored by Royal Purple, myself (full disclosure) but they don't always have what I need.....20-50W here in the heat, on the street, but Dr. Haas strongly recommends lightening up viscosities...RP does offer lots of Racing blends.... So you see it's a real discussion for those of us with older machinery that spec'd the AGIP 10-50W What do have?
