Royal purple?

[KCF3712]

Do any of you use Royal Purple? I've been a life long Valvoline user with no problems. I always use Valvoline MaxLife or full synthetic 5W-20. I have 109K miles on my 2007 Kia Spectra and am going to change my transmission fluid this weekend. I found that the Valvoline MaxLife ATF is compliant with the SP-II or SP-III that goes in this tranny. I thought about "upgrading" to Royal Purple ATF. I don't mind the extra $ if it's worth it. Any opions, experiences, good or bad?

Thanks in advance

KCF3712

[UFO]

Just my opinion, but "Royal Purple" is purely marketing hype. Nothing special.

[ShadeTreeMech]

For the sake of argument, has UFO used Royal Purple?

I've heard hard core performance minded folks swearing by the stuff, so if it was all marketing hype, I'd think the hype would have died down if there was no real substance.

[mwebb]

who ever markets and repackages the oils sold as ROYAL PURPLE should answer
the un asked question

which is

Why does NONE of your engine oil show any specifications or testing or certifications that show
that the ROYAL PURPLE oil is any better than Wesson or Mazzola or Olive oil ?

and
HOW DARE YOU
Market UNTESTED oil or OIL that has been tested and FAILED and claim that it is a "superior oil" ? at an extreme price ?

and
why would anyone in their right mind purchase overpriced oil with zero specifications or test results listed on the RE-packaging ?

have a look at the bottles
then
have a look at
Castrol GC 0w30 with ACEA A3 B3 - A4 B4
and
VW Audi 502 505 503.1 - Mercedes Benz 229.1 229.3 229.5 - BMW LL01 specifications
or
Mobil One 5w30 with GM Dexos 1 and ACEA A1 A5 - B1 B5 specifications

both of the above at lower price than the UNTESTED ROYAL PURPLE

ROYAL PURPLE DOES NOT STATE OR CLAIM that it's oil passes any of the above testing OR specifications .

bottom line
for best results
DO NOT BUY OR USE ROYAL PURPLE OIL for anything except lighting your barbecue .

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

I've heard hard core performance minded folks swearing by the stuff, so if it was all marketing hype, I'd think the hype would have died down if there was no real substance.

Unfortunately hype doesn't die down when it comes to branding. I think there is an element of pride involved when one shells out big bucks for something (i.e. chev vs ford vs dodge trucks and whatnot) so once one "publicizes" their purchase by being seen in it or using it, and showing it off to buddies and strangers alike and talking about it, putting that sticker in one's car window, wearing the logo'd cap, etc., a person feels like continuing to promote it even if logical analysis doesn't prove it's superiority, to save face.

Even after being repeatedly screwed by bad products, some will still adamantly defend them, I think for the above reason. More objective types of consumers will switch when burned, or when evidence suggests a better alternative.

[Old Mechanic]

Originally Posted by KCF3712

Do any of you use Royal Purple? I've been a life long Valvoline user with no problems. I always use Valvoline MaxLife or full synthetic 5W-20. I have 109K miles on my 2007 Kia Spectra and am going to change my transmission fluid this weekend. I found that the Valvoline MaxLife ATF is compliant with the SP-II or SP-III that goes in this tranny. I thought about "upgrading" to Royal Purple ATF. I don't mind the extra $ if it's worth it. Any opions, experiences, good or bad?

Thanks in advance

KCF3712

I think you answered your own question.

"I've been a life long Valvoline user with no problems."

What better recommendation can anyone find?

regards
Mech

[Daox]

Brand choice isn't nearly as important as synthetic vs dino and selecting the correct weights. After those, the individual brands may have some very small differences, but its not likely to show up on any fuel logs.

That being said, I have used Royal Purple 75w-90 in my Paseo's transmission. I'm not sure what Toyota puts in there to begin with, but I did notice an increase in costing distance in the winter while the engine is cold. Once it warmed up, I couldn't distinguish. Its highly un-scientific, but thats my experience.

[some_other_dave]

One engine builder I know was happy with it; specifically with the power it made and the lack of wear metals in the oil. Other oils in the same engine made less power (slightly), and/or showed lots of wear metals from specific parts. (The engines he was testing do have an unusual cam/lifter arrangement, though.)

Other folks I have talked to have called it "purple sludge in a can", and advised me to throw it as far away from my car as I could.

Hard to tell who to believe, but I think the first person wasn't that concerned with sludge buildup and the long term. It is also very possible that the different batches that they were using had different properties.

I don't think I'll be trying it, myself...

-soD