Mobil 1, MPG increase?

[otis24]

I use Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 in my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.8 V6). The fuel economy meter has been reading an average of about 26 MPG on the hwy doing 65 MPH.

Last oil change, I gave Mobil 1 synthetic a try. Average hwy fuel economy registered between 30-31 MPG. Is it possible that I could gain this much MPG by switching to Mobil 1? Your thoughts please.

 

[d00df00d]

Might be a fluke, or caused by the changing weather (cooler air).

Keep running it for a few thousand miles and see what happens.

 

[bepperb]

No. And I want to believe. But no.

Even overfilled above the windge tray on 20w-60 switching to 0w-20, driving around in the cold with all trips under five miles and the change still probably wouldn't net a 20% increase.

 

[tig1]

I'm a 31 year user of Mobil 1 oils and they are one of the best oils out there, but I wouldn't think there would be little change in MPG with Mobil 1. Sorry.

 

[panthermike]

I would only calculate your fuel economy by hand, don't trust the display too much.

As other's have said, 4-5mpg is just too much with just a brand change.

Both are good oils though

Mike

 

[raffy]

I don't think you'll see a significant difference between synthetic oils. Certainly not a 4 mpg difference. I changed from regular Amsoil 5w30 to the premium 0w30 once and did not notice any significant difference in gas mileage. I did not think the extra $$$ were worth it so I switched back. Now, between synthetic and full conventional oils, that's another story. I have always had an increase in mileage with synthetic over dino, in my experience.

 

[Gary Allan]

I would have bought up to 25% in true short trip usage with a radical shift in visc (like 20w-50 to 5w-20) ..but with just a brand at highway speeds, no. The difference should be down to .05-.095. How much easier can you pump a sub 9.x cSt fluid? Even if it could be altered to only soak up 75% of the hp required, that would still not amount to that big a fuel economy change. Heck, pretend it has zero parasitic loss ..and it still wouldn't end up being that much. That would be (guessing) like eliminating your AC/PS and maybe other accessories ..and then only in comparison to they in full time use (or so I'd reason). I don't think you can reduce internal friction to that level of significance.

 

[Johnny248]

does any 3.8 push rod engine get 30-31 mpg? Seems pretty high for your Cvan

 

[typ901]

I wish my fuel mileage spiked when I switched to PP &M1 from conventionals. I saw maybe .4-.5 increase. That said, I am combining 70% city/ 30 Hwy. with this change, not just highway.

Isn't the speed limit in SD 75? not 65?

 

[Steve S]

I hope not.

 

[chevrofreak]

Who says you have to drive the speed limit? Our interstates are 75, most other roads 70, and I usually drive 55-60. No, I'm not an old man, I just care about my fuel mileage.

 

[stranger706]

Your figures may be correct but Im sure it is because of some other variable.

I've gone between synthetic 0w20 and synthetic 5w40, and could never tell any difference in fuel mileage. This is in my Mazda, which is very sensitive to variables. Rain, wind, temperature, traffic flow, how much I use the A/C, tire pressures all give more noticeable gains or losses in fuel economy than which oil weight I use.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

I have received no increase using either 5w30 or 0w30 synthetic, synthetic blend, or conventional in my Saturn.

That being said, the only product I have seen an increase in MPGs has been my use of Redline SI-1 at 1 oz/10 gallons. I have seen a steady 1.5 mpg gain using this product per my detailed fuel logs. IIRC, I have been using this product for the past 6 months and 20,000 miles. I am a big believer in PEA.

I have also noticed my throttle body is no longer carboned up like it used to get after 15,000 miles. When I popped it off the other day, there was nearly no carbon present.

 

[FZ1]

Your results are your results. The M1 is less dense than the PP.

 

[Jason2007]

My GF's Cavalier saw a 2mpg drop using Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 compared to Mobil 1 5w30.

 

[otis24]

I keep the speed at 65. Over that, there is a significant drop in fuel economy. On shorter trips (75-80 miles), I sometimes take the back roads and drive 55.

The fuel economy meter is a poor guide to actual mpg, but I used it as a comparison because I check it regularly. So, there seemed to be a significant jump based on the meter. I know that the actual fuel ecomony is probably less. When the meter avereaged 26 MPG, that figure dropped to about 23 MPG when I divide the miles by the gals. used.

I'll double check this figure on my next hiway trip.

 

[hpichris]

Simple answer. No.

 

[FZ1]

Don't let'em talk you out of your observation. The M1 did better than the PP in your situation. Exact quantification is unknown at this point,but, Better is better.

 

[Liquid_Turbo]

I'm skeptical that there weren't outside factors. To prove this to yourself, switch to PP the next oil change and observe what happens. If it pops back down to 26, then you've proved it to yourself!

 

[Jeff3126]

I used to run PP in my vehicle then switched to M1 and noticed increased MPGs. For that I won't go back to PP, parafin oil haha.