M1 5w40 Formula M vs M1 0w40 FS

[SlavaB]

Hey guys.
Trying to make sense of these 2 oils specs
5w40 https://www.mobil.com/English-US/Passenger-Vehicle-Lube/pds/GLXXMobil-1-Formula-M-5W40
0w40 https://www.mobil.com/English-US/Passenger-Vehicle-Lube/pds/GLXXMobil-1-FS-0W40

I'm not a specialist, but specs are looking different, Total Base Number for example 8 vs 12.6
Should I prefer one oil over another or good ol' "buy whatever is on sale and don't stress out" applies?

P.S. 0w40 is on sale in Costco right now

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Looks like the M is a mid SAPS oil while the 0W40 is more of an old school full SAPS formulation. The M has a lower TBN in line with the SAPS level, one could probably argue that the 0W40 is more suited to long OCIs when those are appropriate with that really high TBN.
I guess M must be short for MB as its only approvals are MB 229.3 and 229.5.
However, the 0W40 has those approvals as well as many others, so I can only think the M is targeted to some applications where mid SAPS is desired...???

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

The 0w40 is a Full SAPS formula.
Formula M is less so but it's not enough to meet C3 (229.51) Max SA is .80. Buy whichever is cheaper. As far as MB is concerned they see no difference in either. The M just uses a different not less of an additive.

 

[benjy]

specs are different as are the oils, but only a pro with more info could tell. thinner oils @ cold spec will burn off quicker, looking at redlines 0W40 noack is 9 still good but their 5-40 is 6 thats great + because it starts with higher viscosity base oil. mobil makes both pao + ester oils but at their minimal costs comparatively only whats necessary to meet a spec is used, note no noacks for mobil. thinner oils are good when needed but higher viscosities offer more protection IMO. mobil's 0W is thinner when cold + when hot. good priced "synthetics" as mobil is use as much cheaper group III oil as possible + for the average user is a good value.

 

[skyactiv]

Mid and low saps oils have something in them that don't show up in a VOA or UOA like expensive polymer antiwear additives.
Full saps oils don't need the expensive polymer antiwear additives.

 

[SlavaB]

so that means Formula M 5w40 is kinda better?

 

[spiderbypass]

Go to Mobil 1 website and use their own comparison tool to compare different Mobil 1 formulations.

https://mobiloil.com/en/product-catalog

This is link to comparison tool on their website.