M1 0W-40 vs Kirkland 5W30 UOA Results

[JWC86]

UOA from my 2020 Ford F350 7.3L Gas

The truck spends more time idling than driving so I base my OCI on hours rather than mileage.
About 4 years ago I decided to just use Kirkland 5w30 and change the oil often (200hrs) until recently I saw a great deal on Mobil 1 0W40 FS so I bought enough for a few OCI's.

While the Mobil 1 on sale still wasn't as cheap as the Kirkland I figured the possible ability to run a longer OCI and the convenience that would bring would offset the cost. Perhaps its better protection also?

The left column is a sample from my most recent OCI which was Kirkland at 198hrs and the middle column is a sample from the OCI before that which was my one and only OCI with the Mobil 1 0W40 at 239hrs.

I didn't "double flush" or anything like that so not a perfect test but I figured it should give a idea.

The column on the right is a sample from 4 years ago with Rotella Gas Truck that has been discontinued.

Thanks in advance for any feedback, I don't know how to interpret these very well.

Currently have VRP 5W30 in the sump, might do another OCI with VRP and then move onto whatever I decide.

 

[JWC86]

My interpertation is the M1 0W40 at 239hrs has more additive pack left and higher TBN than the Kirkland at 198hrs.
Maybe I go 300hrs on the M1 0W40?

I do live pretty far north, can see temps as low as -40C/F so perhaps some benefit with the 0W in the winter as well.

 

[thastinger]

My interpertation is the M1 0W40 at 239hrs has more additive pack left and higher TBN than the Kirkland at 198hrs.
Maybe I go 300hrs on the M1 0W40?

I do live pretty far north, can see temps as low as -40C/F so perhaps some benefit with the 0W in the winter as well.

Fe is half the amount with Kirkland as M1, everything else looks on par hour vs hour.
If you plan to stick with 200hr changes I think I would stick with Kirkland.

 

[JWC86]

Fe is half the amount with Kirkland as M1, everything else looks on par hour vs hour.
If you plan to stick with 200hr changes I think I would stick with Kirkland.

I noticed the Iron as well. I think another UOA would have to be done to confirm that result in my opinion.

I guess the question is, stick with 200hrs and Kirkland or go longer with the M1 0W40

 

[thastinger]

I noticed the Iron as well. I think another UOA would have to be done to confirm that result in my opinion.

I guess the question is, stick with 200hrs and Kirkland or go longer with the M1 0W40

All the oils on the UOA had plenty of life left and could have gone longer. I didn't note the difference in AL as well in the report.
In actuality we're talking about parts per million, there isn't a practical difference between 5 and 15.
I think you would be fine to go to 300Hrs on either oil and run another UOA.

 

[edyvw]

UOA is an analysis of oil, not an engine. Comparing wear is not the purpose of UOA.
However, I will play this game:
From UOA, your M1 was run in the winter, while Kirkland was run between April and July. Do I understand that correctly?
That means Mobil1 was dealing with cold temperatures, very cold temperatures according to you.
Here is sample of Castrol Edge 0W30 and 0W40 in my BMW. 0W30 (4,600mls run) was only winter oil, driven to ski resorts a lot, very cold starts.
0W40 is 5,000mls run, summer, but a lot of track time. 0W40 arguably had much more high rpm run, track sessions as long as 1 and 1/2 hrs long in 101f weather at 5,100ft altitude:

They basically have the same wear, which means, 0W30 wear is coming from very cold starts etc.

Your Mobil1 0W40 had much tougher life than Kirkland.

 

[JWC86]

UOA is an analysis of oil, not an engine. Comparing wear is not the purpose of UOA.
However, I will play this game:
From UOA, your M1 was run in the winter, while Kirkland was run between April and July. Do I understand that correctly?
That means Mobil1 was dealing with cold temperatures, very cold temperatures according to you.
Here is sample of Castrol Edge 0W30 and 0W40 in my BMW. 0W30 (4,600mls run) was only winter oil, driven to ski resorts a lot, very cold starts.
0W40 is 5,000mls run, summer, but a lot of track time. 0W40 arguably had much more high rpm run, track sessions as long as 1 and 1/2 hrs long in 101f weather at 5,100ft altitude:
View attachment 291015
They basically have the same wear, which means, 0W30 wear is coming from very cold starts etc.

Your Mobil1 0W40 had much tougher life than Kirkland.

The M1 0w40 was run from Jan 25 to Apr 13
The Kirkland was run from Apr 13 to Jul 14

So yes the the M1 would have had more cold starts for sure, great job picking that up, I was going going to mention that in the OP and should have.

 

[edyvw]

The M1 0w40 was run from Jan 25 to Apr 13
The Kirkland was run from Apr 13 to Jul 14

So yes the the M1 would have had more cold starts for sure, great job picking that up, I was going going to mention that in the OP and should have.

Take into consideration that certain base stocks and additives initially leach more metals. M1 0W40, while it does not contain esters like API SN and previous versions, is still packed with the best Mobil1 can offer when it comes to additives, etc. So, besides tough life, you might have here bit of leaching going on.
The advantage of M1 0W40 compared to Kirikland is also "safety margin." During heavy-duty exploitation, higher HTHS, etc, will offer more protection margin. During normal operations, depending on the engine, any oil will serve its primary purpose, and that is lubricating the engine.
Thinner oils are generally a better choice in cold environments, and I'm not talking 0W, which is a cold cranking indicator and obviously right choice for such low temperatures. 30 weight oils will have lower KV40. They will have less resistance during warming-up periods. Obviously, this engine can operate on ILSAC oils, so if you want bit more HTHS, I would go Mobil1 ESP 0W30 instead of 0W40. HTHS will still be above 3.5cP, but it is bit thinner.

 

[panthermike]

Would love to see a UOA on VRP, maybe on the second run (if you decide to do so).

 

[JWC86]

Would love to see a UOA on VRP, maybe on the second run (if you decide to do so).

I wasn’t planning on doing a UOA with the VRP but I could do that for sure!

 

[JWC86]

Take into consideration that certain base stocks and additives initially leach more metals. M1 0W40, while it does not contain esters like API SN and previous versions, is still packed with the best Mobil1 can offer when it comes to additives, etc. So, besides tough life, you might have here bit of leaching going on.
The advantage of M1 0W40 compared to Kirikland is also "safety margin." During heavy-duty exploitation, higher HTHS, etc, will offer more protection margin. During normal operations, depending on the engine, any oil will serve its primary purpose, and that is lubricating the engine.
Thinner oils are generally a better choice in cold environments, and I'm not talking 0W, which is a cold cranking indicator and obviously right choice for such low temperatures. 30 weight oils will have lower KV40. They will have less resistance during warming-up periods. Obviously, this engine can operate on ILSAC oils, so if you want bit more HTHS, I would go Mobil1 ESP 0W30 instead of 0W40. HTHS will still be above 3.5cP, but it is bit thinner.

Thank you for this information.

I’ve been debating using 0w30 ESP in my new Honda pilot also so this would simplify things only having one oil to stock but not a big deal either way.

 

[wemay]

Based on this anecdote of UOA, for the savings Kirkland gives you, I have no issue with that choice. You're not getting double the overall benefits with the M1 for double the cost.