Quick tutorial on what LV.
LV is low viscosity. It's for MPG and emissions requirements. The spec is super loose and not impressive at all. Honda trans oil has three times the spec from a quality perspective.
Here's the limited info available on Valvoline max Life LV.
5 cSt at 100c, 28 at 40c, that's the low vis spec for LV. But, the VI is only 156... so what happens when it gets really cold, Brookfield is 10k plus at -40.
Here is 1150. Vis is higher at 40 and 100 by nearly 20%. So it's not for emissions, doesn't meet the spec. But will hold vis at op temp and will hold better film strength by 20%. Now, what happens when it's really cold.... we'll look at that, it's vis is significantly lower at -40c.... why, because of the ridiculously robust base oil it's made with. 186 VI. So it's viscosity changes much less over temp.
When you start looking into the wide vi characteristics of these oils, the high quality ones start to shine pretty bright.
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