In general, products can be categorized into two types: hedonic and utilitarian. The former includes enjoyable items like PlayStations, jet skis, and Stratocaster guitars, while the latter comprises essential products such as wall grout, antifungal foot powder, and motor oil.
Motor oil, a quintessential utilitarian product, often goes unnoticed until a problem arises, or a professional advises its use. However, incorporating regular motor oil checks into your maintenance routine can prevent costly issues down the road. Proper lubrication helps prevent overheating and engine damage caused by excessive friction, while also enhancing your vehicle's performance and extending its lifespan. Additionally, statistics show that maintaining motor oil can reduce the likelihood of being stranded in inclement weather.
A variety of motor oils are available for different applications, but they are not all created equal. Whether you need conventional motor oil, EV motor oil, high-mileage motor oil, synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil, or high-performance motor oil, it’s crucial not to compromise on quality. Leading motor oil brands have refined their products for decades, with some boasting a rich history in motorsports, aviation, and even space exploration. This ranking evaluates the top motor oil producers based on the quality, range, and components of their products, alongside their performance and mileage benefits.
Amsoil
Though less known outside the U.S., Am soil merits recognition as a forward-thinking company with a scientific approach to motor oil development. Specializing in synthetic motor oils for the automotive, power sports, industrial, and racing sectors, Amsoil was a pioneer with its 10W-40 product becoming the first synthetic motor oil to meet American Petroleum Institute standards in 1972..png "Top 7 Motor Oil Brands of 2024: Ranked")
While one might assume that synthetic oils, like synthetic fabrics, are inferior to their natural counterparts, the opposite is true. Synthetic oils offer superior performance due to their lack of impurities and the absence of molecular irregularities found in natural oils.
Even for routine use, such as in a station wagon for short commutes, Amsoil motor oil excels in extreme temperatures, particularly in cold conditions, where it is less prone to thickening compared to conventional oils. This results in easier cold starts and a higher likelihood of timely arrivals at your destination. However, Amsoil ranks lower in this list due to its limited product line.
STP
STP is a brand familiar to motor racing enthusiasts, especially those following NASCAR. The STP No. 43 car, originally driven by seven-time Daytona 500 champion Richard Petty, symbolizes this sport-focused motor oil brand. Based in Danbury, Connecticut, STP continues to sponsor the Richard Petty Motorsports car, now driven by Darrell "Bubba" Wallace, Jr.
Founded in 1954 as a producer of oil and fuel additives to enhance vehicle performance, STP quickly became a household name. Its iconic logo has been a fixture on race car liveries and advertisements since the 1960s, bolstered by the success of its sponsored teams, including drivers like Petty, Mario Andretti, and Bobby Hamilton. While STP has been producing motor oil for decades, its offerings are limited to two product lines: Pro Performance conventional oil and SYN Full Synthetic oil, available in 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30 grades.
Although STP’s products offer excellent value, their performance-based motor oils may seem niche to the casual consumer, and the limited selection places STP lower in this ranking. Nevertheless, few brands have made as significant an impact on American motor racing as STP.
Pennzoil
Pennzoil is another brand proud of its American roots, as symbolized by the cracked Liberty Bell on its logo. Unlike other iconic Pennsylvania products like cheesesteaks and Hershey bars, Pennzoil motor oil keeps your engine running smoothly. The brand’s slogan, "Long May We Drive," reflects its commitment to continuously improving its products to keep drivers satisfied for longer.
Recognizable by its bright yellow packaging, Pennzoil has been a market leader for over a century. It offers exclusive service products that guarantee protection for 15 years or 500,000 miles. Pennzoil’s extensive range of full-synthetic oils includes Platinum (a high-quality synthetic), Ultra Platinum (made from natural gas), High Mileage (for older vehicles), and Platinum Euro (formulated for European cars).
Pennzoil also sponsors NASCAR and IndyCar events, with its bright yellow livery featured on Team Penske vehicles driven by Scott McLaughlin in IndyCar and Joey Logano in NASCAR. Although its sporting achievements inspire confidence in the Pennzoil brand, it is less globally recognized than the higher-ranked brands on this list.
Havoline
Havoline is another motor oil company with a history of innovation. Notably, it introduced a filtration process in 1904 that prevented oil from thickening into a waxy substance in cold temperatures, making it easier to start cars like the Ford Model B in winter. Havoline continued to innovate by introducing corrosion-inhibiting additives that reduced wear on engine components and developing formulas that minimized harmful deposits.
Now owned by Chevron Lubricants, Havoline offers a wide range of products, including conventional, synthetic blend, and fully synthetic motor oils. One standout product is Havoline Pro RS Renewable, which contains 25% sustainably sourced plant-based oil in a fully synthetic formula. This eco-friendly motor oil improves fuel economy and comes in recycled cardboard packaging, earning Havoline extra points in this ranking for its environmental efforts.
Valvoline
Valvoline, established in 1866, traces its origins to the Old West when oil prospectors were striking "black gold" across the nation. Valvoline produced the world’s first branded motor oil and was the first company to supply motor oil exclusively for the mass-produced Ford Model T. Today, Valvoline serves over 140 countries and is a major producer of synthetic, synthetic blend, high-mileage, heavy-duty, small engine, and performance motor oils.
Valvoline has a long history of innovation in mechanical engineering. For example, before 1939, car owners needed up to 18 different lubricants for specific purposes. Valvoline solved this problem by inventing the all-purpose X-18 single-grade oil. Additionally, before the advent of Valvoline’s all-climate motor oil, drivers had to switch motor oils with each changing season.
While Valvoline’s products match the quality and performance of its competitors, the brand earns additional points for being a pioneer in the industry and for its continued commitment to innovation and quality.
Motul
Motul boldly claims to understand "the subtle art of lubrication" on its website, and while the statement may seem boastful, the company takes its motor oil production seriously. Motul is heavily invested in research and development and has been at the forefront of motor oil innovation, particularly in heavy industries. Its MotulTech division provides specialized industrial solutions, and this expertise extends to its consumer products.
Motul’s R&D department created the world’s first semi-synthetic motor oil, Motul Century 2100, in 1966, and in 1971, it developed the first fully synthetic motor oil, paving the way for modern synthetic motor oils. Motul’s 300V performance oil has contributed to over 300 racing victories, and the brand offers a wide range of motor oils for various applications, including classic cars, four-stroke engines, hybrids, and EVs, as well as its 4100, 6100, and 8100 product lines for regular engines, with options for both full-synthetic and mineral blends.
Although Motul ranks in the middle of this list, it is undeniably a high-quality brand with a rich history. Founded in 1853, Motul has deep roots in the industrial revolution and has consistently promoted values of inclusivity, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
Shell
Shell is one of the world’s largest and most influential companies, with roots dating back to the mid-19th century, when founder Marcus Samuel expanded his London antique business to include oriental seashell sales. The Shell Oil we know today was formed in 1907, and in 2022, it had an income of over $42 billion. Shell’s product range is extensive, supported by a $1 billion annual investment in research and development, and its motor oils reflect this commitment to quality.
Shell’s motor oils primarily fall under the Helix product line, the chosen oil of the Ferrari Formula One team. The Helix range includes full synthetic, semi-synthetic, and mineral engine oils, as well as oil for diesel engines. Shell also produces Helix Ultra, the first engine oil made from natural gas, which, while expensive, offers protection for many extra miles.
Recognizing the need for change within the petrochemical industry, Shell is committed to cleaner energy and invests in sustainable solutions. It will be interesting to see how Shell Oil evolves in the coming years, but as long as vehicles have moving parts, lubricants like those produced by Shell will remain essential.