Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 or Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30 | 3.5 EcoBoost

[Glenda W.]

That’s a significant bump going from 0W16 to 0W30 ESP (great oil) . I’m on hiatus from 0W30 ESP while I try to clean the rings and reduce oil consumption in my Hyundai 2.4L GDI using VRP 5W30 for at least a couple of 4K mile runs.

Yes, in that DI Crosstrek fuel dilution and severe service make the 0w30 a perfect fit. Honestly Subaru shouldn’t be recommending 0W-16 or 0W-20 with the oil temps these are seeing in mountainous terrain. My 2013 Forester owners manual recommends 0W-20 but still allows for 5W-30 and 5W-40.

 

[buster]

The Mobil 1 Extrasensory Protection line is great.

 

[demarpaint]

The Mobil 1 Extrasensory Protection line is great.

Nothing better.

 

[shortyb]

The Mobil 1 Extrasensory Protection line is great.

How do you know?

 

[OilUzer]

I can't recall what BMW LL04 is all about. M1 ESP 5W-30 jug lists LL04 plus the API.

Is it because M1 didn't want to pay for the LL04 stamp for the 0W?

 

[tired]

I can't recall what BMW LL04 is all about. M1 ESP 5W-30 jug lists LL04 plus the API.

Is it because M1 didn't want to pay for the LL04 stamp for the 0W?

Baseline oxidation is too high for LL-04 due to the ester content. It's a silly thing but it's what BMW requires.

 

[icecoldak]

0-40 in my 2019 limited once a year--I only go 10K most, runs perfect no issues for over 50K miles! I use mostly Mobil-1 extended for oil filter as well!

 

[ChrisD46]

Yes, in that DI Crosstrek fuel dilution and severe service make the 0w30 a perfect fit. Honestly Subaru shouldn’t be recommending 0W-16 or 0W-20 with the oil temps these are seeing in mountainous terrain. My 2013 Forester owners manual recommends 0W-20 but still allows for 5W-30 and 5W-40.

Yes, in that DI Crosstrek fuel dilution and severe service make the 0w30 a perfect fit. Honestly Subaru shouldn’t be recommending 0W-16 or 0W-20 with the oil temps these are seeing in mountainous terrain. My 2013 Forester owners manual recommends 0W-20 but still allows for 5W-30 and 5W-40.

My Hyundai / Kia OM’s allow for 20W and 30W oils (non turbo) but not a 40W listed. I’ve often wondered if there might be a benefit to running a 0W40 or 5W40 (especially in my 2.4L Theta II engine) but I have never tried ? The M1 0W30 ESP is as “thick” an oil as I have ventured to try in my moderate PNW coastal temp conditions said to be one of the easiest geographic region conditions for oil ussge (of course not taking into account spirited driving from time to time) .

 

[Mazdazoomzoom]

I have been trying to decide between Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30 and new Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 for my 2009 Miata and 2021 Mazda 3 na.
I just looked at what Mobil 1 had to say in regard to them on their website, and found something very interesting under "applications".

The following was under "applications" for the 0w-30: Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 is recommended for many types of modern automobile engines, especially the high-performance gasoline and diesel engines found in the latest passenger cars, SUVs and light vans.

The following was under "applications" for the new 5w-30: Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 carries recommendations for a wide range of passenger cars, SUVs and light vans. It is designed for modern high efficiency gasoline, diesel and hybrid cars from Porsche, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and General Motors, as well as for Japanese and Korean vehicles that specifically call for a SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade and any of the specifications the oil supports, allowing for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.

Seems strange that they only mention certain auto brands under the 5w-30. The really strange thing IMO, is that they recommend the 5w-30 for Japanese and Korean vehicles that specifically call for a SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade and any of the specifications the oil supports, allowing for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer. Why wouldn't they recommend the 0W-30 for Japanese and Korean vehicles that specifically call for a SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade?

The only thing I can come up with is that the new 5w-30 has the latest API SP cert, and the 0w-30 doesn't.

 

[EllieMae94]

I’m thinking typo on that.

 

[JamusMcFamus]

I have been trying to decide between Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30 and new Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 for my 2009 Miata and 2021 Mazda 3 na.
I just looked at what Mobil 1 had to say in regard to them on their website, and found something very interesting under "applications".

The following was under "applications" for the 0w-30: Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 is recommended for many types of modern automobile engines, especially the high-performance gasoline and diesel engines found in the latest passenger cars, SUVs and light vans.

The following was under "applications" for the new 5w-30: Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 carries recommendations for a wide range of passenger cars, SUVs and light vans. It is designed for modern high efficiency gasoline, diesel and hybrid cars from Porsche, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and General Motors, as well as for Japanese and Korean vehicles that specifically call for a SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade and any of the specifications the oil supports, allowing for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.

Seems strange that they only mention certain auto brands under the 5w-30. The really strange thing IMO, is that they recommend the 5w-30 for Japanese and Korean vehicles that specifically call for a SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade and any of the specifications the oil supports, allowing for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer. Why wouldn't they recommend the 0W-30 for Japanese and Korean vehicles that specifically call for a SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade?

The only thing I can come up with is that the new 5w-30 has the latest API SP cert, and the 0w-30 doesn't.

Here’s the UOA for my 2017 Miata using both variants of 30-weight M1 ESP. Been using them for 70,000 miles now:

J

Thread ''17 Miata 97k - M1 ESP 0w-30 6.5k mi'

Jun 17, 2025

M1 ESP 0w30 keeps serving me well. I've used it, or the 5w variant, for the last 70,000 miles or so.

• JamusMcFamus
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Used Oil Analysis - Gasoline

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[BeerCan]

0-40 in my 2019 limited once a year--I only go 10K most, runs perfect no issues for over 50K miles! I use mostly Mobil-1 extended for oil filter as well!

My 2016 3.5 (that my dad drives) gets Castrol 0w40 and 10k oci and it is at 190k right now. My dad has crashed the truck twice so I am thinking the engine will outlast the body.

 

[icecoldak]

My 2016 3.5 (that my dad drives) gets Castrol 0w40 and 10k oci and it is at 190k right now. My dad has crashed the truck twice so I am thinking the engine will outlast the body.

Yep--I believe the 3.5's love the 0W-40, I will never stop using it lol!