Royal Purple Oil Review • Road Sumo

Royal Purple is often considered one of the best motor oils in the market. And yet, why are so many users so critical of it? In this Royal Purple Oil review, we’ll look at this best-selling engine oil brand and find out why opinion on it is so mixed.

Royal Purple Synthetic Oil offers higher fuel economy and great startup protection. It also offers protection from wear, deposit, and sludge. Many users, however, feel that it is a bit too expensive for average motor oil with a purple dye.

Read on to learn more about the Royal Purple Oil, including its features, advantages, and disadvantages.

About Royal Purple

Royal Purple Synthetic Oil provides great startup protection and higher fuel economy than other products. It also offers protection from wear, deposit, and sludge. But some users feel that it is a bit too expensive for just an average motor oil with a purple dye.

A Brief History of Royal Purple

American Company That Manufactures Lubricants

Royal Purple is an American company that manufactures lubricants for automotive, racing, marine, and industrial use.

Famous for Synthetic Motor Oil for Diesel and Gasoline Engines

It is primarily known for its line of synthetic motor oil used in diesel and gasoline engines. Other fluids they produce include:

Gear oil
Hydraulic oil
Transmission fluid
Power steering fluid

Founder

The business was founded in 1986 by synthetic oil developer John Williams. Royal Purple got its name from a customer who remarked that he had never seen purple oil.

Established a Production Facility in Porter, Texas

In 2004, the company established a 125,000 sq. ft. production facility in Porter, Texas. It has been manufacturing synthetic oil with its additives.

Sold to Calumet Lubricants

By 2011, Royal Purple had a $109.5 million annual income. Then, by 2012, it was being sold in more than 25,000 outlets globally. In July of that same year, the company was sold to a new owner, Calumet Lubricants, for 335 million dollars.

Royal Purple 12530 API-Licensed SAE 5W-30 High Performance Synthetic Motor Oil

Royal Purple has several products in their motor oil line available in the market. We shall review the Royal Purple 5W-30 synthetic motor oil for this article.

Designed for Gasoline Engines

Royal Purple 5W-30 is a fully synthetic high-performance engine oil designed for gasoline engines. It is formulated to help improve your car engine’s overall performance.

Offers Improved Wear Protection Than Other Conventional and Synthetic Blends

This product offers improved wear protection than other conventional and synthetic blends. It also offers more corrosion prevention, helping to improve engine horsepower and torque.

All-weather Engine Oil

The 5W-30 signifies the oil weight; it is essentially an all-weather engine oil. It provides a smooth cold start during winter and a high-operating temperature threshold.

Can Be Used with Ethanol Fuels

You can also use Royal Purple 5W-30 with ethanol fuels. This is so since the patented additives stop the occurrence of white sludge and lubrication starvation. They are more common with higher concentration gasoline-ethanol blends.

Displays Superior Protection Against Rust

Aside from that, it displays superior protection against rust and corrosion in standard industry tests conducted for various car markets. These include Europe and North America.

Comes with Proprietary Additives

Royal Purple 5W-30 comes with proprietary additives added to its synthetic oil base considering the latest car emissions restrictions. This formula was specifically designed to protect the catalytic emission system found in almost all modern cars.

Ideal for Cars That Often Do Stop-and-go Driving

Due to the Royal Purple 5W-30’s low coefficient of friction, your car can have greater fuel efficiency. It then meets the same fuel economy requirements of 5W-20 oils. This makes Royal Purple ideal for cars that often do plenty of stop-and-go driving.

A premium engine oil brand, Royal Purple 5W-30, comes at a high price. But it promises to deliver high-quality performance that is well worth its high cost. It is available in single quart and five-quart containers.

Approvals

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Grade: 5W-30
Meets International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) -GF5 requirements
Meets General Motors (GM) Dexos1 Gen 2 Performance Requirements
SN (synthetic oil) Plus ready
API (American Petroleum Institute) certified

Pros and Cons

Provides Great Startup Protection

Royal Purple 5W-30 meets and exceeds most industry standards. It provides great startup protection and protects the engine from wear and tear. Also, it protects from the formation of sludge and oil deposits.

Has Higher Fuel Economy

This product has higher fuel economy and maximized horsepower for improved engine performance. Conditioning for hard seals prevents leaks, and it is suitable in both high summer and sub-zero temperatures.

Expensive

On the downside, a common complaint with Royal Purple motor oils is that they tend to be rather expensive.

Royal Purple Oil Customer Reviews

Let’s talk about customer reviews according to the following factors:

Price, Packaging, and Color
Product Quality
Impact on Engine Performance

1. Price, Packaging, and Color

One cannot deny Royal Purple’s effectiveness in improving engine performance. But there are still many users who are wary of it. This is especially true when it comes to price.

Those who drive regular vehicles feel that it just isn’t worth spending extra on premium oil. And it seems to some that the only reason it costs so much is the packaging and its purple dye. Why pay extra for a purple-colored lubricant when a regular, affordable one can work just as well?

2. Product Quality

But beyond price and color, some users think that Royal Purple isn’t as good as it claims to be. Some think that it is not very impressive at best. Others have complained that it has poor viscosity in extreme cold.

Some people who find the oil decent also think that it is overpriced. This is especially true when there are less-expensive alternatives out there.

In particular, Royal Purple has been compared to Valvoline. It appears to have very similar properties to the former, minus the purple dye and a much lower price.

3. Impact on Engine Performance

There are, however, many other consumers who don’t mind that Royal Purple costs so much. In the first place, they drive expensive cars with high maintenance costs anyway. So it doesn’t seem like much of a difference.

They praise how it flows smoothly in the engine, plus the added horsepower and improved mileage. Also, the purple dye may seem frivolous. But it appears to be part of the appeal. People just like the way that purple liquid looks.

Again, what are the benefits of Royal Purple oil? The Royal Purple oil benefits include friction reduction and combustion efficiency improvement. As a result, your car will have 3-5% more power and torque than when you use other brands.

Frequently Asked Questions – Royal Purple Motor Oil

Here are several frequently asked questions that may help address your concerns about the Royal Purple Oil:

How to Use Royal Purple 5W-30

There are no special requirements for using Royal Purple 5W-30 except when getting a new car. Royal Purple’s manufacturer recommends using the lubricant after the first oil change schedule. Following that initial oil change, you can switch to Royal Purple.

What Is the Change Interval/Usage Frequency of Royal Purple 5W-30?

It depends mainly on the make and model of your vehicle. The change interval of Royal Purple 5W-30 engine oil is 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

On Which Vehicles Can Royal Purple 5W-30 Be Used On?

Royal Purple 5W-30 is compatible with many vehicles, such as:

BMW 3 Series
Ford-150
Ford Expedition
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Nissan Frontier

How Many Miles Is Good for Royal Purple 5W-30?

You can use the Royal Purple 5W-30 after driving your car for at least 2000 miles and after its initial oil change. Beyond that, you can use it even when the vehicle reaches high-mileage status, such as more than 75,000 miles.

Should You Switch to Royal Purple Engine Oil?

Royal Purple is a premium-quality motor oil that surpasses many industry standards. But its high quality likewise comes with a high cost. It may deliver excellent engine performance and improved fuel efficiency. But you will end up spending much more on maintenance in the long run.

Do you drive an expensive vehicle that typically comes with high repair costs? Do you intend to keep it for a long time? If yes, then moving to Royal Purple probably makes sense.

But before you decide to make the switch, you have to be sure that it complies with engine oil requirements. The manufacturer of your car puts forth these requirements, including oil weight.

Who Manufactures Royal Purple Motor Oil?

Royal Purple is the maker of Royal Purple motor oil. This company also manufactures lubricants for cars and boats. Located in Porter, Texas, the company has been in operation since 1986.

Their parent company is Calumet Specialty Products Partners (CLMT), an Indiana-based refiner and processor of hydrocarbon products, which acquired them in 2012.

Is Royal Purple Motor Oil Good?

A high-quality synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple helps improve engine performance and efficiency. It includes patented additives that extend the life of your engine. Also, it protects it against wear and tear.

This product is suitable for a wide variety of car models. A high-end product, Royal Purple comes at a considerably high price. But it also comes with a long change interval of about 12 months. That’s why its high cost is somewhat justified by its long-term benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Royal Purple Motor Oil?

Royal Purple benefits the engine of your car in so many ways. It prevents corrosion, improves engine horsepower and torque, and increases fuel economy. Also, it prevents sludge and deposits. It also comes in an ergonomic bottle design that makes it easy to pour and detects leakages.

How Many Miles Can Royal Purple Motor Oil Go?

Under normal driving conditions, Royal Purple motor oil can extend oil change intervals up to 12,000 miles. It has also been proven to improve fuel economy.

Is Royal Purple Motor Oil Good for High Mileage Engines?

Royal Purple can work on cars with high mileage engines. It comes with patented additives that seal the engine well, preventing leakage in high mileage cars.

However, if your car’s engine is going through issues, it is better to use a different formula. You can use one specifically designed for high mileage cars with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer.

Is Royal Purple Motor Oil worth Its Price?

Royal Purple motor oil may be expensive. But its patented formula and benefits to your engine make it well worth the expense. In case you feel otherwise, there are other less-expensive synthetic oils available. They also perform just as well as Royal Purple.

How Long Does Royal Purple Motor Oil Last?

When you use Royal Purple, you may change your oil every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s 16 to 50 fewer oil changes over a vehicle’s life, reaching 200,000 miles.

Does Royal Purple Motor Oil Increase mpg?

Royal Purple motor oil improves mpg (miles per gallon) by reducing the engine’s internal friction. Royal Purple can improve fuel economy by 4.5%, according to commissioned test data.

Can Royal Purple Motor Oil Be Mixed?

Royal Purple is fully compatible with both conventional and synthetic oils. You can also mix Royal Purple products with other lubricants such as Mobil 1. As long as the oils have the same weight, they will mix well.

Is Royal Purple Motor Oil Good for Diesels?

Royal Purple HD Motor Oil is a long-lasting high-film strength engine oil. It is recommended for use on both diesel and gasoline automotive engines. You can also use it on commercial fleets and stationary industrial engines.

Can Royal Purple Motor Oil Be Run with Exotic Oils?

You can use Royal Purple oils with exotic fuels such as alcohol, methanol, nitrous oxide, etc. With this in mind, Royal Purple 11 and 41 Racing oils have been specifically formulated for the best protection. It can hold up even better than other alcohol and methanol racing oil applications.

Is Royal Purple Motor Oil Good for Older Engines?

Royal Purple has a new product, Royal Purple Zinc, specifically designed for older cars. In particular, it is suitable for older high-performance engines equipped with flat tappet camshaft systems.

What Will Putting Royal Purple Motor Oil Do for an Older Car?

Royal Purple motor oil breathes new life into older engines. Its polishing characteristics include smoothing out the cylinder walls and bearing surfaces. Royal Purple’s film strength helps increase fuel mileage and keeps the engine cleaner. This results in reduced emissions.

Can Royal Purple Motor Oil Be Used in Motorcycles?

Royal Purple Max-Cycle 20W-50 High-Performance Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is formulated specifically to surpass the demands of highly-stressed engines and transmissions. It is recommended for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled 4-cycle engines. Also, it is suitable for wet-clutch transmissions.

Does Royal Purple Make Transmission Fluid?

Royal Purple Max ATF is a synthetic high-performance automatic transmission fluid. It has high film strength that helps to reduce heat and wear significantly. Max ATF is also fully compatible with other automatic transmission fluids.

Does Royal Purple Make Oil Filters?

The super-premium Extended Life Oil Filter, also known as Royal Purple 10-48, is the only type of oil filter manufactured by Royal Purple. Engineered for maximum engine protection and filter life, it provides superior particle removal with 99% filtration efficiency.

Why Is Royal Purple Motor Oil Better than Other Oils?

Royal purple motor oil contains the advanced, patented Synerlec additive technology. This increases oil film strength 3 to 4 times more than any oil with similar viscosity. It also provides metal-to-metal protection 4 to 5 times better than other synthetic or conventional oils.

Does Royal Purple Motor Oil Have Moly?

Molybdenum disulfide, or Moly, is a processed mineral similar to Graphite in appearance. It has good lubricating properties. Its other use is as an additive in oil and other lubricants. Royal Purple is one of only a few manufacturers that use Moly in their oil.

Does Royal Purple Motor Oil Increase Horsepower?

Royal Purple motor oil increases horsepower and torque by reducing friction and improving combustion efficiency. Independent tests have proven that Royal Purple increases horsepower and torque between 3% and 5% more than other leading conventional and synthetic oils.

Will Royal Purple Motor Oil Cause Your Engine to Leak?

Royal Purple motor oil won’t cause an oil leak. In some cases, older engines that haven’t been appropriately maintained would have a bad seal or a cracked gasket that isn’t leaking. This is because it is full of lacquer, oil sludger, and varnish deposits.

The objective of synthetic lubricants is to carry deposits away. This way, marginal seals may be exposed after those pre-existing deposits have been removed.

Check if your engine starts leaking after using Royal Purple or any other synthetic oil. If so, the leak is probably not caused by the oil.

Instead, the cause is an existing one that had been exposed. In such cases, a lightweight oil might not be recommended. It would instead be better to replace a faulty gasket than to allow those deposits to remain in the engine.

Should an Oil Additive Be Used with Royal Purple Motor Oil?

No. Adding several additives to Royal Purple products can result in decreased performance instead of increasing it. Tests have yet to find an additive to enhance Royal Purple motor oil’s performance characteristics.

Does Royal Purple Motor Oil Increase Oil Temperature?

Isolated instances have been reported of increasing oil temperatures. Because of the oil’s heat-carrying capabilities, it is absorbing more heat from the engine and is not being efficiently cooled. A more effective oil cooling system would solve this problem.

What Is the Pour Point of Royal Purple Motor Oil in Cold Weather?

The pour point of all Royal Purple SAE grade oils is less than -30°F. It varies from oil to oil. This should be more than sufficient since ambient temperature doesn’t get that cold. Also, wind chill doesn’t affect motor oil.

Conclusion – Royal Purple Oil

Royal Purple Synthetic Oil offers higher fuel economy and great startup protection. Also, it offers protection from wear, deposit, and sludge. There are, however, users who feel that it is a bit too expensive for fairly average motor oil with a purple dye.

Royal Purple motor oil works just as effectively as any other lubricant. But the main point of contention among consumers is its cost.

Many feel that its high price is unwarranted. This is because they can get the same benefits out of less-expensive motor oil brands. But if the expense is not an issue for you, Royal Purple is a decent enough oil to put into your engine.