Tried Valvoline Maxlife Motor oil, my observances

[huzzsaba]

So after using Castrol syntec for the longest time, I tried Valvoline Maxlife semi synthetic 5W30 this time around because the local Wal-Mart was out of Castrol syntec.

My xc90 2.5t developed a small oil leak, so I decided to try it since since I have read a lot of good reviews about it.

So far, I have only put a few hundred kms on it, so cant really tell if the oil loss is less.

Other things I observed were that the engine is quieter in general and especially when cold. With Castrol Syntec, I use to have the cold weather valvetrain chatter for the first few minutes of driving, but with Maxlife, its almost not noticeable.

On the downside, the car doesn't seem as responsive or quick as it used to but it could be in my head. It feels heavier in other words.

I had similar experience with my 2001 V40 when I used a oil change place who only Amsoil oil. Going from Castrol syntec to amsoil, the car fell sluggish or heavy.

I will post back once I can confirm the oil leak has slowed or stopped.