Interesting info on M1EP

[Geoff]

I looked at the CAFE requirements on their site and it requires car makers to *clearly* state in all customer documentation (owner's manuals, etc) that the oil used to certify the car must be the one recommended. So the car makers are caught between the law and a hard place in terms of recommending oil. Mobil is probably caught in the middle in the sense that they can't recommend an oil that is not recommended by the car makers that is not stipulated by CAFE law.

 

[gizzsdad]

I looked at the CAFE requirements on their site and it requires car makers to *clearly* state in all customer documentation (owner's manuals, etc) that the oil used to certify the car must be the one recommended. So the car makers are caught between the law and a hard place in terms of recommending oil. Mobil is probably caught in the middle in the sense that they can't recommend an oil that is not recommended by the car makers that is not stipulated by CAFE law.

I find this fascinating. It also explains why my owner's manual recommends 'mineral based oils'. It makes you wonder if they are trying to discourage synthetic, but obviously they can't recommend synthetic unless they use it to certify the car.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Bottom line is this. Why wouldn't Mobil want you to use an oil that is more expensive, offers more additives, and therefore, better engine protection just because you aren't out of warranty. I don't know. It doesn't make sense to me. I wonder if it was more the guy's personal opinion than anything.

BtB

 

[Bobio]

Go to www.mobiloil.com and select "Help Me Decide" from the drop-down list next to "Whats the right oil for my car?".

I used my wife's 1996 Plymouth Voyager (Base Model) with the 3.0L V6 as an example.

For total miles I put in 50,000
Temperature range I selected "Above 0 degrees"
Here is the key, where it asks if the vehicle is under warranty I initially put "No"

When it asks what level of protection I want, I select "Ultimate". (seems Ultimate is synthetic, Superior is synth-blend and Premium is conventional)

Guess what it recommended, Mobil 1EP 10w30 or Mobil 1 10w30.

If I go back though and change the warranty selection from "No" to "Yes", the recommendation changes to just Mobil 1 10w30.

 

[rbraughn]

I did the "Help me decide" for my 2001 Ford SCREW. I have the extended warranty and 41,000 miles on it.

If I checked "Yes" under warranty, it recommends 5w-20 Supersyn. If I check "No", not under warranty, It still recommends 5w-20 Supersyn.

That seems strange, I thought they would recommend the EP 5w30 if it was out of warranty.

 

[bulwnkl]

quote:

---

Originally posted by TooSlick:
Does GM really care if you change to an even better version of Mobil 1 after the factory fill is drained?

---

Yes, I think they do. Aside from "better" being definable relative to many, many things, the EP does not meet the Phosphorus level requirements of API SM/ILSAC GF-4. That means there is more likely to be catalyst poisoning in the view of the auto manufacturers as a whole with the EP stuff. That leads to a higher emissions warranty claim rate, which costs GM more money. That requires them to charge more for new vehicles, which is difficult at best in a very competitive market.

GM definitely cares.

 

[Ken2]

I agree with Buster. ExxonMobil isn't going to stick their neck out and recommend something that isn't according to the manufacturer's recommendation for the warranty. It's not about engines or oil, it's about the legal department.


Ken

 

[Bobio]

quote:

---

Originally posted by rbraughn:
I did the "Help me decide" for my 2001 Ford SCREW. I have the extended warranty and 41,000 miles on it.

If I checked "Yes" under warranty, it recommends 5w-20 Supersyn. If I check "No", not under warranty, It still recommends 5w-20 Supersyn.

That seems strange, I thought they would recommend the EP 5w30 if it was out of warranty.

---

I don't see a Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 on their website.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_Extended_Performance.aspx

Since Ford specifies a 5W-20 for the modular motors, maybe that explains it?

[ April 08, 2005, 12:27 AM: Message edited by: Bobio ]

 

[rbraughn]

Bobio,

No there is only regular Supersyn in 5w-20. When I did the "survey" for help me decide, I chose above 0deg temps and out of warranty for one profile. I was surprised they suggested the 5w-20 instead of pushing the 5w30 EP. If it is out of warranty, in the heat, why not push the new oil on me? Why would they care what was "spec'd" for the vehicle?...Don't get me wrong, of course they wouldn't suggest 50wt, but why not 5w30 EP???

Just seemed strange to me thats all

 

[Bobio]

quote:

---

Originally posted by rbraughn:
Bobio,

No there is only regular Supersyn in 5w-20. When I did the "survey" for help me decide, I chose above 0deg temps and out of warranty for one profile. I was surprised they suggested the 5w-20 instead of pushing the 5w30 EP. If it is out of warranty, in the heat, why not push the new oil on me? Why would they care what was "spec'd" for the vehicle?...Don't get me wrong, of course they wouldn't suggest 50wt, but why not 5w30 EP???

Just seemed strange to me thats all

---

I got the same results for my 2001 Mustang GT with the 4.6L modular. I imagine even though you choose out of warranty they are not going to open themselves up to the potential for liability by suggesting a grade of oil other than what the manufacturer recommends. We do live in a society with a hair trigger on the lawyers

Just my take on it

 

[buster]

I was told the new PDS's are held up in their legal department. But was assured they will be out within the month. It's not that easy to just by pass the auto makers recommendations.

 

[Brian Barnhart]

Their story may be different now, but before ExxonMobil had a 20W oil in the Mobil1 line they had this to say:

It is important to follow your owner's manual recommendations in order to maintain coverage under your new-vehicle warranty. It is our understanding that Acura's, Honda's and Ford's recommendations to use 5W-20 are driven by concerns for fuel economy. If you wish to use a Mobil 1 synthetic lubricant for these applications where a 5W-20 is recommended (Ford, Honda, Acura), ExxonMobil recommends using Mobil 1 5w30 or 0W-30. While Mobil 1 5w30 and 0w30 are fuel-economy-approved viscosity grades and will provide excellent engine protection, they might not provide the same fuel economy as 5W-20.