Mobil 1 ESP X2 0w20

[Patman]

We don’t talk about this version of ESP very often but it’s now strongly on my radar for the next oil that I use for my Civic when I’m done with my intervals with VRP.

It’s readily available here at Canadian Tire in 5 quart jugs and goes on sale often for around $45 (about $32 US)

I think it would work out well for the 9-10k intervals that I typically do in this car and fuel economy is pretty high on my list too and I think it works well for that as well (it’s 7.9 cst at 100C, so it’s one of the thinner 0w20s out there)

But what really has me interested in this oil are the approvals that it has, such as VW 508.00 and 509.00, Porsche C20, and MB 229.71. You don’t really see these on many off the shelf oils and certainly not at this price point.

I’m curious as to how many people here might be using this oil? I can’t say that I recall a single person who has mentioned it.

Here is a picture of the back label:

 

[Klutch9]

I’ve used it. It’s green Unfortunately not API licensed for those who care about that, but it’s a very capable oil.

FWIW, it’s been discussed on here quite a bit.

 

[Glenda W.]

Very interesting. I wonder if any VOA’s are out there? Ester formula like 0w30? I see it passes SP engine performance but probably not P levels?

 

[scoot]

I've looked into the ESP 0w20 for my 25 Accord Hybrid, I decided on the Valvoline Hybrid 0w20 , 8.8 cst . Valvoline claims it combats moisture due to the hybrid system not getting up to operating temperature consistently. I have no reason to not believe valvoline's claims , VRP seems to be the real deal .

 

[Patman]

Very interesting. I wonder if any VOA’s are out there? Ester formula like 0w30? I see it passes SP engine performance but probably not P levels?

There is a VOA on here from 2020, but that’s too old to give us an idea of the latest version.

 

[JavierH19]

If I ever wanted to run a 20 grade it'd be that or edge euro or edge EP. All have euro licenses and are available on the Walmart shelf for a good price.

 

[kschachn]

Any 20-grade oil with a 508 00 approval has better proven performance than a standard ILSAC oil.

Assuming of course you’re feeling the need to use a 20-grade

 

[kschachn]

I've looked into the ESP 0w20 for my 25 Accord Hybrid, I decided on the Valvoline Hybrid 0w20 , 8.8 cst . Valvoline claims it combats moisture due to the hybrid system not getting up to operating temperature consistently. I have no reason to not believe valvoline's claims , VRP seems to be the real deal .

A thicker oil would help that too.

 

[BrendanC]

any vehicle that i service where the owner specifically states they want 0w-20 (my father’s work car for example) gets this. makes me feel better than just dumping AFE 0w-20 in it. this is what i will likely pump in my transfer case for this year’s OCI.

 

[Patman]

Any 20-grade oil with a 508 00 approval has better proven performance than a standard ILSAC oil.

Assuming of course you’re feeling the need to use a 20-grade

For my Civic I think a 0w20 is perfect because I drive it very gently in order to get the best possible fuel economy. I put about 20,000 miles a year on it and that might be closer to 25,000 now that I’m doing a lot of 160 mile round trips from my place to Niagara Falls to do my walking tours.
My Civic has the port injected 2.0L engine as well so fuel dilution is not a concern here (especially with all of the long highway trips) This car spends probably 90% of its life at a steady highway speed.

 

[RevvCats]

Never used the 0w-20 but I’ve been putting ESP 0w-30 in every car I change oil on aside from my mustang and they’ve all been running well. Great cold performance, temps well below freezing and the cars start right up.

If the sds is to be believed 50-75% GTL and 10-25% PAO.

What also impressived me about the esp line was LSjr’s test of different 0w-40 Mobil 1 oils and esp x3 0w-40 (unfortunately he didn’t test x4) barely sheared after the KRL test. They’re putting a good VII in a not outrageously priced off the shelf oil.

 

[buster]

I'd like to know how the top tier lines like M1 EP, Amsoil SS compare to their European counterpart grades. It's impossible to really know because they're tested against different specifications. Both are excellent. I think the long drain capability advantage goes to the EP and SS lines due to boosted AO, but that's just a guess.

I'd like to see the ESP line tested against GM Turbo and Sequence IIIH. That would be interesting to see as a reference.

Unfortunately, all we have to go by are specifications, which take the guesswork out of it all and give you an idea (when using LZ spider chart) of the quality level.

The pricing of the ESP/Euro oils even from PZ don't suggest they're above and beyond the EP lines. They do appear to use a more shear stable VM, which is a good thing.

I recently questioned Amsoil about this and they put their Euro line in between SS and XL. SS is fortified to go longer than their Euro oils per Amsoil.

 

[Patman]

I have been thinking a lot about what oil I want to use for the Civic and it’s kind of been driving me crazy, but I’m really feeling good about this choice here. I still have this interval with VRP, and one more after that for sure because I already have the jug. But that means when I do my fall oil change I will likely be ready for a different oil because I will be done with VRP (it already appears to have done a good job at reducing consumption so after this interval and one more I feel like it will have served its purpose)

 

[scoot]

A thicker oil would help that too.

I've debated that , but I usually don't keep a vehicle long enough to reap my meticulous maintenance routines . I've only taken 1 vehicle past 80k miles . This vehicles use pattern is typically 20 miles a crack , which in reality a EV would be a better choice .

 

[buster]

I think most usually think Euro oils trump all API/ILSAC/dexos oils but that's not really true. It's important to remember that the top tier lines from Mobil, Amsoil etc. greatly exceed some of the most stringent tests out there like the IIIH. Euro oils will certainly be a higher performance level of your run-of-the mill API/dexos oil but when you're talking about the EP lines it's different, obviously.

 

[ATex7239]

I also will be starting VRP for 4 OCI’s on the Sienna here soon. M1 ESP X2 0W20 is on the short list after along with M1 Hybrid 0W20 and a few others.

Just in the mood to try something different for no particular reason.

 

[kschachn]

I think most usually think Euro trumps all API/ILSAC/dexos oils but that's not really true. It's important to remember that the top tier lines from Mobil, Amsoil etc. greatly exceed some of the most stringent tests out there like the IIIH.

Perhaps, but without the proof of the approval you’re left with marketing materials. Even Amsoil lists which approvals they have or applications for which they are making a usage recommendation.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Dexos D

 

[scoot]

I have been thinking a lot about what oil I want to use for the Civic and it’s kind of been driving me crazy, but I’m really feeling good about this choice here. I still have this interval with VRP, and one more after that for sure because I already have the jug. But that means when I do my fall oil change I will likely be ready for a different oil because I will be done with VRP (it already appears to have done a good job at reducing consumption so after this interval and one more I feel like it will have served its purpose)

You don't feel confident in using VRP continuously ?

 

[buster]

For an example, how well would ESP 5w30 do on this test? We'll never know.