Mobil 1 Extended Performance thoughts/ideas/questions

[mdocod]

Ok... So, i've been around here on BITOG for awhile, and have become pretty familiar with the oils on discussion, and why people like/dislike certain oils. I've even become a bit of a GC nut with a shelf full of it in the garage as a result(bout 50 quarts remaining). I'm starting to become more familiar with used oil analysis. In all this time, of learning, and discussing... I have developed a delima, a question, so to speak, regarding the new EP line of oils from Mobil 1...

EP is supposed to be, in a nutshell, the very BEST os Mibil's offerings. It is above and beyond the regular Mobil 1, in that, it contains 50% more "SuperSyn," 36% more "anti-wear" addatives, and 37% more "cleaning agents."

1. EP doesn't "meet" the new GF-4 specs- though I have heard rumor that they are trying to get the new EP tested and qualified for GF-4 and eventually, migrate their entire line of full-synthetics to the new EP version.

2. It would seem, that with the introduction of EP- Mobil is pushing the envelope- trying to make an oil available that is of the most superior quality. Regardless of whether it meets certain regulations or not. Mobil might be dedicated to offering a product that is above and beyond the norm, without worrying about whether it gets qualified for the latest (not neccessarily greatest) specifications.

3. If "2" is correct- why is this EP not available, in forumulations that really do "push the envelope."... what I mean is- EP should be available, in 0w30, 0w40, and 5w50... rather than the current limited listings.... If this oil is, intended to be above and beyond, I don't think anyone here could argue, that better low-temp pumpability plays a major factor in an ultimate oil. Ultimate oil, should be available, in ultimate tempurature ranges.??


Please comment on my ideas regaring Mobil's line of EP... Anyone know where EP is headed? I like the fact that Mobil's products are easily obtainable, especially in 5qt jugs at wall-mart. I'd like to see a 0w30 EP. Anyone know if such an oil will ever exsist?

 

[texasproud]

You may be correct about EP pushing the performance envelope but I can not see Mobil straying too far from their mainstream market...which is the 5w30 and 10w30 crowd.

 

[buster]

I've asked Mobil why they don't carry those grades and it's simple, their isn't enough demand for those viscosities.

The latest Mobil 1 Extended Performance isn't pushing the envelope at all IMHO. It's buying them time until they come up with a new formulation that is GF-4 compliant which will be out early 2006 I was told. Amsoil is ahead of them in this regard as they already meet the GF-4 spec and still retain the long drain capability.

This leads me to wonder why Mobil wasn't ready to just roll out a GF-4 Mobil 1 Extended Performance from the start? Are they a bit behind to their compeitors? They are going to go back to 1 Mobil 1 again I'd assume when the GF-4 Mobil 1 Extended Performance does come out. Makes no sense to have 2 Mobil 1's IMO.

 

[Matt89]

quote:

---

Originally posted by buster:
I've asked Mobil why they don't carry those grades and it's simple, their isn't enough demand for those viscosities.

The latest Mobil 1 Extended Performance isn't pushing the envelope at all IMHO. It's buying them time until they come up with a new formulation that is GF-4 compliant which will be out early 2006 I was told. Amsoil is ahead of them in this regard as they already meet the GF-4 spec and still retain the long drain capability.

This leads me to wonder why Mobil wasn't ready to just roll out a GF-4 Mobil 1 Extended Performance from the start? Are they a bit behind to their compeitors? They are going to go back to 1 Mobil 1 again I'd assume when the GF-4 Mobil 1 Extended Performance does come out. Makes no sense to have 2 Mobil 1's IMO.

---

Amsoil meets the GF-4 spec? Have they gotten API certified?

In the past, Amsoil's lack of certification has been touted as an indication of the SUPERIORITY of their formula. Now you're suggesting that M1 is 'behind' because they're not GF-4 yet. I think API/non-API in this case is a red herring, since both of these oils far exceed the performance required by GF-4, if not the 'ingredient list'.

Simply put, Mobil 1 Extended Performance is targeted toward the 'out of warrantee' and 'do it yourself' crowd...who typically use 5w30, 10w30 and 10W-40 and really don't need to worry about GF-4 because it doesn't apply to their vehicles. So, from a business 'bottom line' standpoint, working hard to meet the GF-4 during the Mobil 1 Extended Performance initial rollout would have made no sense. Getting the GF-4 would be the first step toward getting Mobil 1 Extended Performance and extended performance intervals accepted by automakers...which I believe is only a matter of time. My crystal ball guess is that GM will be the first to specify the 'new' M1 for all vehicles, at much longer intervals dictated by the OLM (as was done with the Corvette).

Whether M1 is or is not the best oil you can get is debatable...but they get high marks in my book for being the first 'big oil' company to buy into extended drain intervals. And I have no doubt their oil will do just fine for 15K/1 year for 99.9% of cars.

 

[Brons2]

quote:

---

Simply put, Mobil 1 Extended Performance is targeted toward the 'out of warrantee' and 'do it yourself' crowd...who typically use 5w30, 10w30 and 10W-40 and really don't need to worry about GF-4 because it doesn't apply to their vehicles.

---

Is it any small wonder though that "high mileage" oils exist and that they may be more apporpriate for this crowd, considering where the auto and oil industries are taking the API specs.

I applaud M1 for having the courage to have a mass-marketed oil that doesn't meet the latest specs yet provides superior engine protection.

 

[Blue99]

Yes, as Buster indicates, don't get too cozy with the present Mobil 1 Extended Performance formulation as ILSAC/API spec's and market competition are generating pressure for change.

ExxonMobil would like to see long drain capabilities in it's flagship motor oil, but it still covets that Wal-Mart shelf space.

This translates to a less than $5 a quart sell price in the grades that are the big movers, 5W-20, 5w30 & 10w30.

The 0W's will continue to be more of a specialty item, a non-warranty item, viewed as a "thin" or "winter" oil by the general buying public!

Just my opinion, but the cold start performance gains, of a 0W viscosity oil, don't materialize till the temps drop below zero F.

At a 32F start, Mobil 1 5w30 is in the mid 400 cSt range, same as Mobil 1 0w30 & definitely less than GC 0W-30!