All I can say is that it works well for me.
The factory fill in my Escape was very black and generally rounchy when I replaced it with Valvoline Synpower at it's first anniversary. The Synpower looked pristine when changed at the second anniversary. It still looks pristine, and will be changed again at the third anniversary in July or August. I know that this is not normal for Ford fluid though. It usually holds up better than that.
I do respect your experience, and I may try Castrol LMA on the next change, since I used it most of the time before Valvoline Synpower was introduced. I wonder if you had a bad batch since I have not had the same bad experience.
