Mobil 1 0w-20

mikemc · Jun 18, 2003

I noticed that the Ford WSSM2C153H spes is not listed on the current online data sheet for Mobil 1 0w20. An e-mail to Mobil 1 asking about this resulted in this reply: "Mobil 1 0W-20 cannot be approved as a MS2C153H lubricant because this
>specification refers only to a 5W-20 and does not allow for a 0W-20. The
>Mobil 1 0W-20 meets the performance requirements of this specification,
>however, and certainly can be used." Am I missing something? What good is it if it doesn't meet the spec for my Ford truck?

G-MAN · Jun 18, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by mikemc:
I noticed that the Ford WSSM2C153H spes is not listed on the current online data sheet for Mobil 1 0w20. An e-mail to Mobil 1 asking about this resulted in this reply: "Mobil 1 0W-20 cannot be approved as a MS2C153H lubricant because this
>specification refers only to a 5W-20 and does not allow for a 0W-20. The
>Mobil 1 0W-20 meets the performance requirements of this specification,
>however, and certainly can be used." Am I missing something? What good is it if it doesn't meet the spec for my Ford truck?

Yes, you are missing something. If the Ford spec says "Any 5w20 oil that meets the following performance criteria:" then the Mobil 1 0w20 de facto can't meet the spec because it isn't a 5w20, even IF it meets the performance criteria (which it clearly does).

Roger · Jun 19, 2003

I'm glad you got this reply, because I was wondering the same thing about their 0W20 oil. What's really goofy is that the product data sheet at Mobil 1.com states that the oil does meet the Ford 153H spec, while the "newer" data sheet at Mobil.com does not.

mikemc · Jun 19, 2003

G-Man, I'll take the blame for not explaining myself better. Of course I know that a 0w20 is not a 5w20. My point was, why on earth go to the expense of engineering, testing and marketing a new oil when it will not meet the manufacturer's specs for almost all 2001 and newer Fords, the majority of folks who will purchase a 20 weight oil? It may meet the performance requirements, but if it does not meet the WSSM2C153H spec, you may have a warranty issue.

YZF150 · Jun 19, 2003

Perhaps because next year, the Ford (and Honda) spec will be 0w-20!

glideslope · Jun 19, 2003

Geeze, I was going to run this in my 03 Mazda 6s at the 6K change. Now what? If I have a copy of a Mobil 1 spec sheet stating it meets the Ford spec will that back me up if I have a problem? This is such a pain in the a _ _. My wifes 02 Mazda has the same engine with different heads, and Mazda states 5w30 is fine!!

Pain!!!!!!!! I think I'm going to save a change of the Castrol 5w-20 in there now with 2K on it. Then just use 5w30 Mobil 1, and replace it if for some unknown reason I have a problem. I am tired of this 20w s _ _ _.

chucky2 · Jun 20, 2003

I don't know about that.

My cousin used to work at a Ford stealership and once told me that a customer in for service walked out swearing at him and everyone else in the lot.

When my cousin went inside to see what happened, the service writer told him that he'd just told the guy he would have to pay for his trans that was bad because of the aftermarket exhaust that the dude had put on.

Ford's arguement was that since the engine output had been changed by the performance exhaust, this negatively affected the transmission, hence the denial of warranty on the engine and the transmission.

Now, I'm sure the guy probably fought and won his case, but he probably had to go through a Ford sh*t storm to do it.

I like Ford's, but sometimes their business practices just scare me!

Chuck

[ June 20, 2003, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: chucky2 ]

MolaKule · Jun 20, 2003

"Do you think the increased levels of Boron and Moly are to make up for the lower viscosity protection? Looks very promising."

Abolutely!

mikemc · Jun 20, 2003

Matt89 said "Correct me if I'm wrong here, but even if you were to use the "wrong" oil per the owner's manual, wouldn't they still have to prove it was the oil's fault for the failure before they denied warrantee coverage?" I don't know your situation, but I can't afford to be without a vehicle or having to rent a car myself while someone decides if the oil was at fault. By using a WSSM2C153H spec oil, there is no doubt I am in the right. I don't mean to sound leary of Ford, they have always treated me right. I just like peace of mind in major purchases.

Ken2 · Jun 20, 2003

mikemc

Neither the dealership nor the auto maker have to prove anything to initially deny warranty coverage. They just have to say, "No." Then, you have your work cut out for you to get them to honor the warranty.

Regarding Ford and 5W-20, I was recently talking with the foreman of the local county vehicle maintenance shop. He said that a group of maintenance foremen and supervisors from all the nearby counties get together occasionally. All counties where the sheriffs' Crown Vics are running 5W-20 have had some blown engines. The counties that stuck with 5w30 have not had engine failures in their cruisers. Of course, these cars in this service are not subject to Ford's warranty, either.

Ken

buster · Jun 20, 2003

quote:

All counties where the sheriffs' Crown Vics are running 5W-20 have had some blown engines. The counties that stuck with 5w30 have not had engine failures in their cruisers

Thats pretty scary. We've seen nothing but good results so far with these 20wts. though.

Matt89 · Jun 20, 2003

mikemc;

Good point...I forgot about the PITA factor!

Matt89 · Jun 20, 2003

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but even if you were to use the "wrong" oil per the owner's manual, wouldn't they still have to prove it was the oil's fault for the failure before they denied warrantee coverage?

I guess what I'm saying is I think they'd be hard pressed to deny coverage because you used any reasonably light viscosity (5w30 or 0W-20) Mobil 1.

mikemc · Jun 20, 2003

Wait a sec...since many UOA test viscosity at 210F, any xW20 should test out within the 20 weight range...so who's gonna know it was a 0w20 and not a 5w20...Hmmmm. Hello Mobil 1 0w20!

Jay · Jun 20, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by mikemc:
I noticed that the Ford WSSM2C153H spes is not listed on the current online data sheet for Mobil 1 0w20. An e-mail to Mobil 1 asking about this resulted in this reply: "Mobil 1 0W-20 cannot be approved as a MS2C153H lubricant because this
>specification refers only to a 5W-20 and does not allow for a 0W-20. The
>Mobil 1 0W-20 meets the performance requirements of this specification,
>however, and certainly can be used." Am I missing something? What good is it if it doesn't meet the spec for my Ford truck?

Here we get into Mobil 1's quandry about what to call their new 20-weight. Since it meets the 0w designation and since there are no low end viscosity limits to the 5w designation they can call it 0w-20 or 5w-20. It is, in fact, both. The simple thing to do, I think, would be to call it 5w-20 and say it meets the WSS-M2C153-H spec. Instead, they chose to call it 0w-20 and say it meets the performance requirements of WSS-M2C153-H. Then they wrote in big bold letters on the front label, not once but twice, that the oil is for 5w-20 applications.

Clearly, somebody at Ford messed up when they wrote WSS-M2C153-H. They should have included 0w-20 oils in the spec.

mikemc · Jun 20, 2003

BTW, thanks Jay for posting this. I've been wanting to see VOA of this oil. I REALLY like the hot viscosity of almost 9, the 10 TBN and a decent shot of moly. This will be my winter oil if I can find it by then. Advance shows it as a special order item.

Mobil 1 0w-20

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