Mobil 1 Triple Action Oil Color

[The Critic]

Not saying oil color is indicative of condition, but thought this was interesting:

On several vehicles where I have installed M1 EP Triple Action 5W30, the oil has become very dark within 1000 miles. Prior fills of M1 have not exhibited this.

 

[ChrisD46]

Not saying oil color is indicative of condition, but thought this was interesting:

On several vehicles where I have installed M1 EP Triple Action 5W30, the oil has become very dark within 1000 miles. Prior fills of M1 have not exhibited this.

View attachment 249472

I noted that the M1 5W30 EP series TA starts out a darker amber color than say PP which is lighter in color . On a port fuel injection engine in good condition the M1 EP oil doesn’t change color much from the original darker amber color over its OCI . Whether an oil starts out light or dark should not have any impact on its quality . Lastly , some oils may darken early in an engine new oil fill if you switched oil brands from the last oil change . M1 5W30 EP is a very good oil - use with confidence .

 

[4WD]

Wondering if that’s not additives since the hash marks are visible

 

[Furious]

I run Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 Triple Action and mine stay pretty clean (my engines are clean)

But the last oil change was 6 months ago as I do 6 months or 5,000 miles, probably will do an oil change next month, if I notice a change I will share.

 

[FMC]

I noticed the exact same thing using Mobil 1 EP in my 2022 Pathfinder with 3.5L V6 DI, Im wondering if the Direct Injection has something to do with it.

What year is the Nissan in the pic?

 

[The Critic]

I noticed the exact same thing using Mobil 1 EP in my 2022 Pathfinder with 3.5L V6 DI, Im wondering if the Direct Injection has something to do with it.

What year is the Nissan in the pic?

It’s a 2010 Altima V6 with 59K, I have changed the oil every 2-3K using full syn 5W30 since new.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

That's a normal Mobil-1 EP T/A oil color for almost 1000 miles, having a clean engine.
The same oil dipsticks I've drawn at the same mileage are similar and my family demonstrates 3k OCI rituals.

Carry on & sleep well.

 

[spasm3]

I have heard that there are some additives that turn dark from uv exposure, i.e. combustion.

@RDY4WAR has mentioned this before. Would be interesting to take some virgin oil samples and let them sit under a black (UV) light overnight or so.

 

[factorytuned2012]

with that lighting looks like transmission fluid

 

[doublebase]

Previously I’ve noticed a reddish tint with Mobil 1 EP using their 0W20. Now I use their EP 5W30 and yes, for some reason my oil did get much darker, much quicker. The only other oil in my engine that has done that is Amsoil. Someone mentioned that it nothing more than just heat cycles, perhaps they are right. But it doesn’t happen when I use Pennzoil products (platinum or Ultra). No idea.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Mobil-1 Euro 0w40 is darker right out of the virgin bottle. HPL (both No VII and Performance Plus virgin) is darker even more-so.

 

[willbur]

Not saying oil color is indicative of condition, but thought this was interesting:

On several vehicles where I have installed M1 EP Triple Action 5W30, the oil has become very dark within 1000 miles. Prior fills of M1 have not exhibited this.

View attachment 249472

There was thread or a post about this a while ago. Ppl mentioned it was the color of the varnish being dissolved by the oil

 

[buster]

Certain oils change fast due to the type of A/O I've read.

 

[irollo]

It’s a 2010 Altima V6 with 59K, I have changed the oil every 2-3K using full syn 5W30 since new.

Are you sure it's not a GTR with a handbuilt engine? And/or do you live in Japan?

 

[facility1]

maybe change brand of oil and filter ,and see if the color changes ,using the same viscosity.

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

There was thread or a post about this a while ago. Ppl mentioned it was the color of the varnish being dissolved by the oil

I think that was in reference to the euro 0w40 version

 

[steveh]

My 05 Altima 3.5 turned oil black quickly since day 1.

 

[radiometer]

My 05 Altima 3.5 turned oil black quickly since day 1.

Then it's working keeping contaminants in suspension.