
Penzoil is indeed a Shell product, being Shell's passenger car engine lubricant brand in the United States. Established in 1889, it is one of the largest lubricant suppliers in the U.S. Engine Oil Selection: Naturally aspirated engines have relatively moderate requirements for oil quality and can use mineral oil or semi-synthetic oil. If the car owner has a higher budget, fully synthetic oil can be used. Compared to naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged engines have a more compact structure and operate under harsher conditions, demanding higher oil performance. They require oil with better fluidity, preferably fully synthetic oil. Brand Selection: When choosing a lubricant brand, if long oil life is a priority, Mobil lubricants can be selected. If engine cleaning capability is important, Shell oil is recommended. For lubricants requiring strong oil film toughness, Castrol can be chosen. For example, turbocharged engines are prone to carbon deposits during high-speed operation, so Shell oil with strong cleaning capabilities can be selected.

When researching motor oil information recently, I found that Pennzoil is indeed a premium sub-brand under Shell. It utilizes Shell's exclusive PurePlus base oil technology. For instance, when I took my BMW for servicing, the 4S dealership recommended this brand. Although it's more expensive than Shell's regular lines like HX7, its high-temperature protection and carbon deposit cleaning capabilities are truly superior. I've checked the technical manual - this Group III base oil refined from natural gas has fewer impurities, making it particularly suitable for turbocharged vehicles. However, I must remind you that there are counterfeit products on the market now, so always check for the Shell shield logo and anti-counterfeit code on the bottle.

When I researched during my last oil change, I found out that Penzzoil is essentially Shell's technology with a rebranding. Their flagship product, Penzzoil P8 Pro, has a formula almost identical to Shell's Ultra Premium series, just positioned as more high-end in marketing. The mechanic at the shop mentioned this oil suits European luxury cars, especially those finicky German engines. But it's crucial to check certification standards like A3/B4 or Mercedes 229.5—far more important than just looking at the brand. Now Shell's official online store even sells Penzzoil directly, which makes their relationship pretty obvious.

Simply put, Penzzoil is Shell's own brand. Last year when my repair shop stocked up, I noticed the Shell logo and Dutch factory address printed on the back of Penzzoil oil cans. Its technical advantage lies in the anti-wear formula, especially for long-distance driving where the oil film is less prone to breakage. However, regular family cars don't necessarily need premium oils - choosing genuine products with API SP certification is more important. For new cars equipped with GPF particulate filters, Penzzoil's C3/C5 low-ash series would be more suitable.

I specifically asked my Shell engineer friend about this: Penzzoil is a premium product line launched by Shell in China in 2017. The core technology is still Shell's system, but the formula has been upgraded. For example, it contains more titanium fluid enhancers, making it particularly suitable for stop-and-go driving conditions. However, I'd like to remind everyone that the key to buying engine oil is whether it meets the standards in the manual. For instance, using Penzzoil in my wife's little Fit would be a waste, whereas a regular semi-synthetic oil would be more economical. Nowadays, you can see Shell's official authorization certificate when purchasing from JD.com's self-operated store, which is quite reliable.


