Is 0W40 more resistant to forming sludge?

[Mark_S]

Is Mobil 1 0W40 less prone to forming sludge than Mobil 1 10W30 High Mileage? I have read here that 0W40 has a superior blend of base oils, and that these may be more resistant to forming sludge. I have used Mobil 1 10W30 High Mileage for the past 50,000 miles in my 99 Toyota Avalon. I have no sludge, but, after reading about the 0W40 on this forum, this past weekend I put it in instead of the High Mileage (the drive "feels" good with the 0W40).

A second question I have is about the add package of the High Mileage. I have no leaks (225,000 miles on the engine), but are there ingredients in the High Mileage oil (that the 0W40 may not have) that will help my engine?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Nick R]

I believe 0W oils have to be made from better base stocks. As for preventing sludge. I wouldn't worry about sludge though. If you are running any high quality oil, especially synthetic or a blend, and you aren't using a known sludger, you should be fine.

 

[y2k345]

I`ll be using 0w40 Rotella T SYN how about that?

 

[mechanicx]

That is impressive that you would have no leakage at least around the front and rear crank seals with that mileage. I would assume the HM has more seal conditioners in it. I'd also assume you do a lot of highway driving to have 225K on a '99, so that might be a big factor in no oil leaks or seepage.

 

[VK56VD]

Stick with what served you well for the last 225k miles. I also don't think a 40w is recommended for that engine.

 

[webfors]

Either will work fine. Run out the oci with the 0w40 and then go with which ever is less expensive.

 

[bepperb]

I doubt anyone can really answer that except Mobil, who won't. I see your point, the higher spread oils probably have more esther content which in addition to having a high VI also dissolve a lot of stuff. So maybe. It's sound reasoning, but for all we know they pump a bunch of VII's into the 0-40 and they both contain the same portions of grp 3 and 4/5.

But to worry about sludge on either M1 is a bit of a stretch, and really EP would probably serve you the best if you want long drains and worry about sludge.

A High Mileage oil might have seal conditioners that would help, but if you have low consumption and no leaks I'd probably stick with a regular oil.

 

[tig1]

As a long time user of Mobil 1 oils, 31 years, I have never seen the slightest hint of sludge with Mobil 1 oil. I do 10,000 OCIs and my engines stay very clean. I have friends that do longer OCIs and they have the same results.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
tig1 - Like you I have never seen sludge or excessive varnish formed when using an appropritae M1 product

Further than that over the last nearly 50 years I can say that in many direct line comparisons with other similar specification lubricants I have always seen an appropriate Mobil or Delvac keep engines clean - and significantly cleaner than the others!

I cannot say the same for some other Oil Co. products but Caltex-Chevron and Shell HDEOs are great performers too

 

[SLCraig]

To my knowledge, the Mobil 1 High Mileage oils are high in detergents. I remember reading that at some point... I've been happy with the times I've used it (off and on over a few years) Never used 0w40, so no comment on that grade.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Hi,
tig1 - Like you I have never seen sludge or excessive varnish formed when using an appropritae Mobil 1 product


I have. Not that it's a bash on the product. I used it whenever possible from the day it arrived on the market ..well, as soon as I had a new enough vehicle to use it in.

My mother's (I think) 1980 or 81 Citation 2.8 did one year oci's with Mobil 1 5w30. Did filter changes at recommended intervals with top offs (small filter). It only used a 1/2 quart over the year. The inside appearance was by no means "clean". Not massive accumulations ..just what one would see on various common engines.

The thing was still silent @ 220k+/- where she gave it away due to UV damage on the dash and the headliner falling out. Consumption never increased over the ownership and the engine was just as (perhaps the wrong term) powerful the day she gave it away.

No indictment on the product. I don't think Amsoil of the era would have done any better. She did about 20k/year roughly.

 

[68882]

In reading about mobil 1 5w40 formula M and Mobil 1 0w40 it turns out that the pending poor quality of usa gasoline causes sludge problems with the extended 20 thousand km drain interval which is why MB approved 5w40 for gas engines in the usa, but then withdrew that. Apparently the 0w40 has a better tbn to deal with the [censored] 10%+ ethanol based gas. Interestingly the gasoline approval sheet for MB suggests only 5% max ethanol.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Quote:
Hi,
tig1 - Like you I have never seen sludge or excessive varnish formed when using an appropritae Mobil 1 product


I have. Not that it's a bash on the product. I used it whenever possible from the day it arrived on the market ..well, as soon as I had a new enough vehicle to use it in.

My mother's (I think) 1980 or 81 Citation 2.8 did one year oci's with Mobil 1 5w30. Did filter changes at recommended intervals with top offs (small filter). It only used a 1/2 quart over the year. The inside appearance was by no means "clean". Not massive accumulations ..just what one would see on various common engines.

The thing was still silent @ 220k+/- where she gave it away due to UV damage on the dash and the headliner falling out. Consumption never increased over the ownership and the engine was just as (perhaps the wrong term) powerful the day she gave it away.

No indictment on the product. I don't think Amsoil of the era would have done any better. She did about 20k/year roughly.


20 mile OCI for that era of engine, oil, and filters is pretty remarkable. My personal experience with Mobil 1 has been the 9-11,000 mile OCI range. Thanks for that info.

 

[mechtech2]

If you purposely left the oil in too long, ran it too hot, and fouled up the PCV system, you could probably get sludge.
But in normal use, an engine should not get sludge with any oil.
Maybe a little varnish.