Pennzoil a rip off?

[ice745]

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this. But it seems to me as if the Pennzoil "quarts" are really less than a quart. I never actually measured it out. I used to use Pennzoil, and it took 4 and a half "quart" bottles to fill my car to the full mark. I figured I just had a 4.5 quart capacity crankcase.

Then I switched to Castrol GTX, and it takes 4 quart bottles, and it's just a tad past full, without needing an extra half a bottle. So is pennzoil really less than a quart, or is Catrol actually more than a quart?

[curtis73]

In a word, no

All oils are very carefully scrutinized based on average weight per case. The standards of weight and measure dictate that they be within 1% of their advertised volume, but the technology is so simple that they're usually within a much tighter tolerance than that.

I'd be more apt to think that you didn't drain as long, or you didn't change your filter, but volume is volume. Unless there is a recall, assume that its correct.

[ice745]

I always replace filter. I was probably just being an idiot and paranoid with the Pennzoil. It was lighter in color than the Castrol GTX I believe, and harder to see on the dipstick. I probably just filled it til it was concentrated enough on the dipstick to diffuse enough light to be visible to my novice eyes. I used Pennzoil back when I first started driving.

I don't believe I used to drain longer, but maybe I got lazy, I am human. It seems hard to imagine that I could leave half a quart in before I plug it, but I guess with all the parts and adhesion it may be possible.

Anyway, thanks! I liked the response. I see if there was a difference in how much I used it is my error.

Is it possible that Castrol GTX is more adhesive than Pennzoil? I know dino oil is dino oil, but are there additives for their "Stop and Go Protection" or w/e that can increase adhesion.

[curtis73]

Its quite possible that the additive package is different, but the amount of oil that clings to things probably doesn't account for that much volume.

Do you always drain at the same engine temp? If you just ran it one time there would be additional oil up in the top but if you waited a half hour or so it would be drained back.

Who knows. At least you check your oil Some don't

[KiwiBacon]

You didn't put a 1/2 quart size dent in your sump recently?

[ice745]

Not my lovely lovely oil sump! My sump my sump my sump!

Actually there is a small dent in me oil pan that I noticed recently, but it's definitely not half a quart. Looks more like a small rock hit it.