Orange County Register

In what it’s calling a “game-changing” move, Valvoline has started a campaign  in which it will guarantee your engine will keep running for up to 300,000 miles.

The catch? Use only Valvoline, of course, and change your engine’s oil and filter every 3,000-4,000 miles.

“Vehicles that use Valvoline continue to perform. We have the utmost confidence in our products, so we’re excited to now offer this best-in-class guarantee,” said Sam Mitchell, president of Valvoline parent Ashland Consumer Markets.

Along with having to solely use Valvoline oil, consumers must abide by other rules for eligibility.

The guarantee only works on cars that already have less than 75,000 miles on the odometer, and must be a 1990 model or newer. So even if you find a pristine 1957 Chevy in a barn with only 74,999 miles on it, you won’t be eligible.

Valvoline keeps track of your oil changes via an online site in which you enter information. Proof that you used Valvoline and not a competing brand is had by receipts or, if you go to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change service station, via an automatic online update.

The promotion has three levels of coverage: Use Valvoline Premium Conventional Motor Oil and the company will back your engine to 150,000 miles; use MaxLife or DuraBlend for up to 225,000 miles; and Synthetic for the elusive 300,000.

If your engine goes kaput within the coverage limits, Valvoline says it will directly pay your service provider for all labor and parts to fix the problem. If the repair exceeds the car’s value, the company will pay you “an amount equal to the vehicle’s value as set forth by Kelley Blue Book or similar source,” the company says.

There is a slew of fine print, of course, which can be found HERE. Among the other caveats is that the guarantee is not transferable if you sell the car, and Valvoline’s maximum coverage tops out at $5,000 total.

It’s an interesting promotion, overall. Would you bite?

Also see:

• Beware of these 5 auto service rip-offs
• Parts, warranty? What you need to know if you own a GM car
• Do you trust independent mechanics more than dealerships?
• Hyundai recalls half-million cars over faulty brake lights
• GM recalling nearly 1.5 million cars on fears of engine fire
• Nissan recalling over 360,000 cars due to possible engine stall
• GM recalling 43,000 vehicles; here’s which models
• Attention Yaris owners — Toyota safety recall
• Small cars get smashed big in latest safety tests

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