HOUSTON, TX — Pennzoil has reengineered its Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic motor oil, to now feature adaptive molecules that are designed to survive the searing heat, intense pressures and shearing forces of today’s precision-made engine parts.

“The unique adaptive molecules in Pennzoil Platinum are engineered to manage the constant mechanical stresses inside an engine,” said Robert Sutherland, team leader, Pennzoil Passenger Car Engine Lubricants. “They constantly change shape and separate as needed to help preserve the proper viscosity under intense heat, high shear stress and extreme pressures.”

When Pennzoil Platinum senses severe heat, the adaptive molecules are designed to split apart to resist searing heat that can lead to viscosity breakdown, while still providing excellent protection. When the intense heat is gone, the molecules reform.

Mechanical shearing in the engine can tear oil molecules apart, causing permanent viscosity loss. The tight clearances found in the valve trains and piston ring assemblies can stress oil molecules to the breaking point. The adaptive molecules in Pennzoil Platinum are engineered to split into smaller pieces to slip through high-shear areas like these to minimize permanent viscosity loss.

Extreme pressures in the engine can breakdown the protective layer of oil between moving parts. Engine parts such as cam lobes and bearings push against each other with enough pressure to crush motor oil that gets caught between them. When Pennzoil Platinum is exposed to these extreme pressures, its adaptive molecules cluster together, creating a cushion or barrier to absorb the impact, like microscopic shock absorbers.

In addition to its adaptive molecules, the product contains a unique additive formulation created to provide superior protection against engine wear and deposit formation compared to conventional and synthetic blend motor oil, helping to reduce piston ring-sticking and metal on metal contact in the engine.

“Pennzoil Platinum is the most advanced product ever developed by Pennzoil, and our new formulation with adaptive molecules demonstrates our commitment to expanding the market for full synthetic motor oil,” said Jeffrey Lack, director of marketing, Pennzoil. “Pennzoil is always looking for ways to improve our products, and we have created a full synthetic motor oil that will provide our consumers our ultimate level of protection for their engines.”

Pennzoil Platinum is being supported by an aggressive campaign designed to teach people about the benefits that full synthetic motor oil can provide to their engine. Pennzoil’s campaign is focused both on appealing to current synthetic users and non-users and maintaining Pennzoil’s place as the fastest-growing major brand of synthetic motor oil based on share growth.

One of the major components used in educating consumers about full synthetic motor oil and dispelling some myths about it is http://www.PennzoilPlatinum.com. Pennzoil developed the website to teach consumers and professionals about the benefits and protection provided by full synthetic motor oil. The information is presented in a chapter format that covers topics ranging from how synthetic motor oil is formulated, to extreme temperature protection and high-performance testing. Visitors can also clear up common misconceptions related to full synthetic motor oil in a chapter devoted to synthetic oil myths.

The company is so confident that consumers will feel the difference that Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic motor oil can make after using it just one time, the company has renewed its Platinum Challenge for all of 2006. Developed last year to offer consumers an easy, cost effective way to try Pennzoil Platinum motor oil, the challenge offers a service certificate worth up to $33 toward their next Pennzoil service if they don’t feel a difference in their vehicle’s performance after using the oil.

"The Platinum Challenge is ideal because it allows people to experience the benefits of full synthetic motor oil with almost no risk,” said Lack. “We are so confident with this product that we put our money where our mouth is.”

Pennzoil Platinum motor oil is available at installer and retail locations in a variety of viscosity grades: 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-50, 10W-30, 15W-50, 5W-40 Euro and 5W-30 Euro. Pennzoil also offers Pennzoil Platinum motor oil for Hybrid Vehicles in a 0W-20 viscosity grade.