Compare Supertech Synthetic filter vs Mobil 1 Synthetic Filter

[Bster13]

Went to my local Walmart and Autozone to do some planning for my newly purchased (used) 2009 Honda w/ 1951 miles on it.

I am contemplating the costs of going with SuperTech Syn 5w30 ($17.50) and SuperTech oil filter ($2.84) every 3500 miles vs. Mobil 1 0w30 or 5w-20 ($24.50 for either) & Mobil 1 Extended Performance oil filter ($12.99) every 7000 miles.

I'm a mild hyper-miler (got 45.6 mpg last fill up so low revs/stress on the motor w/ mixed driving) & I'd like to get 200k out of the car.

If I run the Honda oil & filter from the dealership 5000k miles, that leaves 193049 left to plan out. So with both options explained, here is the comparison:

ttl miles | miles/ change | # of changes | Cost for 200K miles
Super Tech | 193049 | 3500 | 55.16 | $1,121.89
Mobil | 193049 | 7000 | 27.58 | $1,033.92


So knowing what you know about used oil analysis of both oils, which would you pick? Supertech syn oil & new filter every 3500 or Mobil 1 syn oil and new filter every 7000?

I know the mobil 1 oil and probably the filter are better than the Supertech, but are they twice as good, to last twice as long drain interval/ filter change for roughly the same price over ~200k miles? (I don't count my time as $, as I kind of find it a psychological benefit to change the oil/filter more often)

Other thoughts/questions....

- I am not concerned with the environmental impact of going with Super Tech option at this point in time.

- Super Tech 5w30 & Mobil 0w30 options don't meet the required 5w-20 in the Fit's manual. (But from reading a 0w30 is decently close to a 5w-20 at operating temp., & I also read Super Tech 5w30 thinned to almost a 20wt at operating temp in someone UOA, correct?)

- Mobil 1 Syn 0w30 is touted to improve fuel economy vs. other 30wt oils, but would it be better than a 5w-20 for MPG?

- I live in Norwalk, CT. I'd like to minimize cold startup engine wear. Wil a 0w oil do that much better?

 

[901Memphis]

Have you considered using the Mobil 1 oil for that interval or slightly shorter with a different filter that is less expensive than the Mobil 1 but still >oem quality?

 

[Bster13]

FWIW, I'll be running my previous stock of Bosch 3312, which are left over from my Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 SE and are oversized as compared to their recommendation for the Honda Fit. Once they run out, I'll run the SuperTech Super Tech3593a, which is again, oversized for the Honda Fit.......Walmart charges $2.84 for any of the Super Tech filters, so why not?

 

[Bster13]

Interesting....not sure how well people rate the Bosch 3312 and then the ST ST3593a for 5k change intervals, but using the Mobil 1 oil and Supertech filter would yield:

ttl miles | miles/ change | # of changes | Cost for 200K miles
ST/Mobil | 193049 | 5000 | 38.60 |$1055.59

with the difference between the prices, I'd just want the best protection. So out of these three options, what would you pick? (thanks for the suggestion!)
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Have you considered using the Mobil 1 oil for that interval or slightly shorter with a different filter that is less expensive than the Mobil 1 but still >oem quality?

 

[901Memphis]

Any of the Motorcraft filters fit your application? They are quality and cheap at walmart.

 

[wgtoys]

I wouldn't do either. I would watch the promotions/sales section here on BITOG and then stock up on any good name brand synthetic oil when I can score it for $2 or less per quart. I've been doing this for years now and have a good stock of Pennzoil Platinum and Valvoline Synpower (both at an average cost under $1/quart after rebates). With deals like this available frequently, why mess around with SuperTech? I'm no fan of the ecore design used on SuperTech filters, but to each their own.

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Cheapest SM/SN 5w20 & new filter every 7-10000 miles will get you to 200k easy. There are no bad SM 5w20 oils.

The Super Tech filters are fine, or if you watch the sales and stock up you can usually find purolators for $2-2.50

Super Tech | 193049 | 7500 | 25.74 | $523.55

 

[flatlandtacoma]

Quote:
- Mobil 1 Syn 0w30 is touted to improve fuel economy vs. other 30wt oils, but would it be better than a 5w-20 for MPG?


No, theoretically about 1% less mpg based on the higher HT/HS.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: flatlandtacoma
Cheapest SM/SN 5w20 & new filter every 7-10000 miles will get you to 200k easy. There are no bad SM 5w20 oils.

The Super Tech filters are fine, or if you watch the sales and stock up you can usually find purolators for $2-2.50

Super Tech | 193049 | 7500 | 25.74 | $523.55




I was looking closely at the supertech filters today and noticed that they appear to be lower end just looking inside the filter, i saw the filter media with random gaps inside the pleating and the canister seemed to be less sturdy than a good filter. Also noted that the Super Tech filters don't have any ADBVs on any of them?

 

[Bster13]

I took pics tonight at Walmart and Autozone.....I'm a newb, so I have no clue what an Ecore is vs. PureOne clone, can someone pick them out?

ST7317 for Honda Fit on left, ST3593a for Mitsu EVO on right.
ST7317 is slimmer, but ~1/4 longer.
ST7317 has blue plastic cap over raised metal bottom inside filter.
ST3593a has flat bottom inside.
Gasket match, both should fit my Honda Fit.

STP ST6607 on left speced for Honda Fit w/ blue plastic cap, over raised metal bottom of inside of filter.
Bosch 3323 on right, much longer and fatter w/ flat bottom of inside of filter.
Both should work on Honda Fit.

Boach 3323 on the left- decently longer than 3312 on the right.
Bosch 3323 has flat bottom on inside, 3312 has raised square bottom
Bosch 3312 is much fatter than 3323.
Both same gasket and will work on my Honda Fit.

 

[Bster13]

Is it fair to say where I describe a filter as having a "flat bottom" inside the filter, that it has no anti drain back valve? If so, it would appear having one or not having one amongst different brands is not a constant. Correct?

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Originally Posted By: flatlandtacoma
Cheapest SM/SN 5w20 & new filter every 7-10000 miles will get you to 200k easy. There are no bad SM 5w20 oils.

The Super Tech filters are fine, or if you watch the sales and stock up you can usually find purolators for $2-2.50

Super Tech | 193049 | 7500 | 25.74 | $523.55




I was looking closely at the supertech filters today and noticed that they appear to be lower end just looking inside the filter, i saw the filter media with random gaps inside the pleating and the canister seemed to be less sturdy than a good filter. Also noted that the Super Tech filters don't have any ADBVs on any of them?


I find Super Techs to be thicker canned than regular purolators, actually my biggest complaint about purolator is the thin cans. They have adbv unless looking at a GM filter that have the adbv built into the block of the motor. Super Techs also have a thread end bypass like motorcrafts. The flat bottom on the Super Tech is the lack of a dome end bypass that some speculate could let more dirty oil into the motor unlike thread end bypass'.

OP, go with whatever filter you want for 5k, Motorcrafts, Super Techs are really good, and cheap at wal-mart.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: defektes
unless looking at a GM filter that have the adbv built into the block of the motor.
You mean a GM filter that has the bypass built into the block?

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Also noted that the Super Tech filters don't have any ADBVs on any of them?


Some do, some don't. The Ecores have some kind of "dual function" ADBV/Bypass valve, and if they want the bypass to work there is a second set of holes in the base plate. Personally, I don't like the design of that, or the design of the wide open center cage with wide open pleats ... that's a possible setup for the pleats to flatten out and blow through the center core windows.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Bster13

If I run the Honda oil & filter from the dealership 5000k miles, that leaves 193049 left to plan out. So with both options explained, here is the comparison:

ttl miles | miles/ change | # of changes | Cost for 200K miles
ST | 193049 | 3500 | 55.16 | $1,121.89
Mobil | 193049 | 7000 | 27.58 | $1,033.92


Your analysis says it would be cheaper to run the better oil and filter with longer OCIs ... plus, less effort expended in doing oil/filter changes if you do them yourself. It's no brainer to me.

 

[Bster13]

I am leaning towards Mobil 1 5w-20 w/ 5k intervals for three reasons:

- price point @ 5k intervals (this is if I cannot find a sale on oil and am forced to buy whatever is in Walmart a the time)

- Honda recommends 5w-20 (I don't see a huge diff. between 5w-20 and 0w30 with cold/hot viscosities so why not stick with what is recommended w/ warranties in mind?)

- 5w-20 should yield marginally better MPG, though verdict is still out for me on if a -30 protects better at operating temp vs. -20. -30 should be thicker cushion between metal, but does not flow as well and thus would not cool metal surfaces as good. Thoughts?

- After playing around here: http://www.widman.biz/English/Calculators/Graph.html
...with Supertech 5w30, and 5w-20 and 0w30 Mobil 1 stuff avail locally, the Mobil 1 has much lower viscosity for cold starts....a major contributor to engine wear.

- and my gut tells me the additive packages in Mobil 1 5w-20 is better to start with vs. the Supertech, and Mobil 1 @ 5k miles will have better UOA than Supertech @ 3500 miles, but I am a newb and don't know much about wear packages in various oils and what is good/bad.....I just today figured out how viscosities really work. hehe

 

[901Memphis]

Go for the M1 at 5k, but which filter have you decided on to pair it with?

 

[ZZman]

I would say a 5,000 mile run with the ST Syn would be more likely.

But anyway what is also nice about this is:

1. Less oil changes less hassle for users
2. Less oil filters generated as waste
3. Less oil waste generated

With thinking "green" today this is important.

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: defektes
unless looking at a GM filter that have the adbv built into the block of the motor.
You mean a GM filter that has the bypass built into the block?


yeah thats what I meant sorry.

 

[Bster13]

I will be using the rest of my 3312 Bosch filters left over from my EVO. Then on to $2.84 Super Tech filters that show a dome bypass filter.

I have ruled out the SuperTech oil due to higher viscosity on cold startup. It's a great price, but I am willing to pay a little more (hopefully not too much more if on sale) for better additive packages (perceived?) and better cold startup.

I don't know much about Quaker State but they are currently have a (small) sale. Not sure where they are in the pecking order of additive packages. But I've added Pennzoil (Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra) into the mix for consideration if it goes on sale as well. So basically it is down to Mobil 1 or Pennzoil and possible Quaker State.

I don't know much about additive packages, so I am basing my buying decision mostly on cost start up viscosity and viscosity at running temps.

I have a feeling with my preference for 5k drain intervals, most decent synthetic oils will suit me fine in terms of additives. And I've read most wear on an engine occurs at startup, so having a free-flowing oil at cold temps is important to me.

Thelastpiece to the puzzle for me is "what is an optimal viscosity at 212F for an engine?" In this article: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84:motor-oil-101-by-dr-haas&catid=40:articles-of-the-month&Itemid=92 he talks about a viscosity of "10" when the engine is at full operational temps. But my Honda Fit calls for 5w-20....could they have made the engine with smaller tolerances and thus a thinner oil at running temps is better than a thick 30 weight? I know a 20 weight oil has a range of viscosities that will meet the spec for my Honda Fit. But how thin is too thin? A 0w-20 thins more than a 5w-20 at 212F.