Good Reason to Use Mobil 1?

[pah]

Hi Guys,

After stumbling upon a web site that stated that some synthetic oils are made from purified mineral oils (http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/), I had a chat with a Mobile Tech Rep.

The Mobile Tech Rep confirmed that Mobile 1 is not a Group 3 mineral based oil. It is a Group 4 oil made from synthetic ingredients. Here’s an extract from the web site listed above:

Group IV (4) and Group V (5) base oil (synthetics) are chemically made from uniform molecules with no paraffin and don't need Viscosity Additives. However, in recent years Group III (3) based oils have been labeled "synthetic" through a legal loophole. These are petroleum based Group II (2) oils that have had the sulfur refined out making them more pure and longer lasting. Group III (3) "synthetic" motor oils must employ Viscosity Additives being petroleum based . . . . As more and more large oil companies switched their "synthetic" motor oils to the less expensive/more profitable Group III (3) base stocks it has become much easier to identify which are PAO based true synthetic. Of the large oil companies, only Mobil 1, as of this writing (12-15-2007), is still a PAO based true synthetic . . . . Group III (3) synthetics resists this degradation much better, but being petroleum based employ some VI additives which is a negative and typically don't have as good performance in the volatility viscosity retention areas. Only the Group IV (4) PAO base synthetics have the saturated chemistry to resist degrading when exposed to the by products of combustion and heat, plus typically employ no VI additives making them very thermally stable for longer periods. For this reason the Group IV (4) synthetics maintain peak mileage and power throughout their service life

Food for thought?



PAH

[Dash9]

Interesting to read that. My clubby has 7000km on it now and I was planning to do an oil change soon. Looks like I'll go for the Mobil1.

[jerrel]

I use Martini Racing Oil, and would never change to anything else ever again. IMO its one of the best u can get.

[pah]

Interesting to read that. My clubby has 7000km on it now and I was planning to do an oil change soon. Looks like I'll go for the Mobil1.

Hi Dash9

The Mobil rep I spoke to said that Mobil 1 is good for extended drain intervals. He warned against extending beyond manufacturer change intervals whilst under warranty because it might harm your warranty.

When I used cheap oil, I changed it twice as often as Holden stated. Now that I'm using synthetic oil, I don't mind changing the oil at the 15,000km mark. Have a chat to Mobil if you want to suss out just how far they reckon their oil will last. Mobil 1 is not cheap to buy, but I guess it will pay for itself if we're able to avoid changing the oil every 5,000km's or 7500kms.

I'm stuck with a few bottles of Group 3 synthetic. I plan to switch to Mobil 1 when I finish it off.




PAH

[Dash9]

Hi Dash9

The Mobil rep I spoke to said that Mobil 1 is good for extended drain intervals. He warned against extending beyond manufacturer change intervals whilst under warranty because it might harm your warranty.

When I used cheap oil, I changed it twice as often as Holden stated. Now that I'm using synthetic oil, I don't mind changing the oil at the 15,000km mark. Have a chat to Mobil if you want to suss out just how far they reckon their oil will last. Mobil 1 is not cheap to buy, but I guess it will pay for itself if we're able to avoid changing the oil every 5,000km's or 7500kms.

I'm stuck with a few bottles of Group 3 synthetic. I plan to switch to Mobil 1 when I finish it off.




PAH


I think I'll still do a change at about 7500km since I only do about 15000km a year. It could be a case of mind over matter, but I like to keep it fresh. I just wish it wasnt 8.3 litres!

[ti0350]

My mechanic swears by Mobil 1 he owns a couple of Ls1's and uses it in his car as well my car is lucky to do 5000km between services as well but dont mind paying the extra for the mobil 1..

[HEXEM]

Yep, same here. My SS runs Mobil 1 5w30 and the wifes VY V6 runs it also. From information I have read, it's good to have a synthetic oil if you only do short trips and low k's during service intervals as the oil in not suppose to contaminate as quickely.

Cheers
Phil

[uteme]

As with many things engine oils life depends on the driving style, number of and even lack of km's travelled. Engine oil heats at a slower rate than water so even if the engine temp is at norm operating or engine oil may not be. There is always some unburnt fuel making it's way into the oil so short distance driving does not allow this to be burnt off. Constant short trips degrades oil quickly. Yes some oil may hold up to this better than others but not every vehicle will get the same life span from the same grade oil.

Before I get people to sturred up I know this is a short piece and not intended to become technical.

I am all for good quality oil but the use syn and mineral oil is dependand on each case. I for one use synthetic in my blown VE which is only ever used on the street however I use a mineral oil with synthetic additives for my race bike as it is ever luckly to door more than 600km's yes 600 between changes. the mineral is less than two thirds the cost of synthetic.

I have had no probs with engine wear using the mineral based oil and apart from warm up and cool downs the engine runs between 10,000 and 16,000 rpm.

Food for thought