New "Ferrari Approved" Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40, simply rebadged Pennzoil Platninum? | FerrariChat
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New "Ferrari Approved" Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40, simply rebadged Pennzoil Platninum?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by f355spider, Jul 23, 2010.

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  1. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
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    #1 f355spider, Jul 23, 2010
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2010
    I'm sure you have seen the print and TV ads...New Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 is "Ferrari Approved". I cannot find it at any autoparts store...the stores do carry Pennzoil Ultra in 5w-30 and 10w-30 ($8.50 a quart!) I can only assume the 5w-40 is being reserved for distribution through FNA dealers, not unlike how Shell Ultra Helix 5w-40 was. Autoparts stores also carry Pennzoil Platinum (european formula) 5w-40...for around $7 per quart. Low and behold, the Platinum and Ultra appear to be the same thing, compare the specs on both in 5w-40:

    Ultra: http://www.pennzoil.com/documents/PENNZOILULTRAEuropean5W40.pdf

    Platinum: http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_X_cbe_24855_key_140003193161_200906031757.pdf

    Look the same to you?
     
  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Terry H Phillips
    #2 tazandjan, Jul 23, 2010
    No- It is actually the replacement for Quaker State Q. Both are rebadged Shell Ultra Helix. Shell owns Pennzoil and Quaker State, and here in the States Shell branded oil is their cheapest oil. So they upscaled the name for US comsumption. Needed an ad campaingn for it to let everybody know to use it instead of QS Q. Do not remember them doing that for the QS Q, and quite a few owners never knew it was Ultra Helix rebadged. They should have put a cavallino on it.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  3. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

    Jul 2, 2006
    5,018
    #3 Crawler, Jul 23, 2010
    That would be $50.00 a quart.
     
  4. Ira Schwartz

    Ira Schwartz Formula 3
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    Ira Schwartz
    #4 Ira Schwartz, Jul 23, 2010
    Actually, they did do a brief ad campaign when they rebranded as Quaker State Q, and the bottles (clear plastic) had a horse (albeit not a "Cavallino Rampante") on the inside of the back label, so that it showed through- at least it sort of showed through after the bottle was emptied.
     
  5. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 tazandjan, Jul 23, 2010
    Ira- Thanks, I missed that one. The first time I had my oil changed, my techs actually found a source for the real thing (Ultra Helix), and it does have Cavallinos on the containers. Once I saw how badly it foamed, the next time it was Valvoline fully synthetic. Works great and not $20/liter.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  6. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #6 f355spider, Jul 23, 2010
    Taz, the specs on the "new" Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 (which has the same exact specs as the previous Pennzoil Platinum European Formula 5w-40, is very different from Shell Ultra Helix 5w-40 or the QS products. In fact the HTHS is much lower. Shell was 4.2 and this is 3.68
     
  7. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Terry H Phillips
    #7 tazandjan, Jul 23, 2010
    Will have to look. Could be bad info on my part.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  8. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #8 miketuason, Jul 23, 2010
    Are we going to see Pennzoil logo on the Ferrari F1 now? :)
     
  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    Terry H Phillips
    #9 tazandjan, Jul 24, 2010
    Mike- Already have them from Pennzoil owner Shell.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  10. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
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    Franklin E. Parker
    #10 parkerfe, Jul 24, 2010
    Auto marque approval of a particular oil brand is all marketing.
     

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