Mobil1 alternative

Status
Not open for further replies.
Z

zimmerDN

Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
175
Location
Ontario, Canada
I have a Mazda3 2.3L with the cartridge type filter. It requires 5W20 oil.

So far I have been using 0W20 Mobil1 but knowing that they stopped production and then re-introduced it again. I am leaning away from them.

What's a good synthetic subsitute that's at least as good or better than the Mobil1?

Anyone has any comments on the cartridge filter desgin? Are they inferior and a bottleneck?
 
People on here seem to like the Germcan Castrol (often refered to as "GC") in the 0w-30 weight. Should work well for you. Make sure it says "made in germany" on the back!

Mobil is a good product though. When comparing synthetics, most of the are pretty decent in performance, but you don't always get the most bang for your bucks with all of them.
 
Mobil 1 is a great synthetic oil that's easily attainable and continues to prove itself time & time again as being an outstanding lubricant. If your wanting to switch away from them is because of them updating their product lineup to meet newer, more stringent criteria, then you must have a screw or two lose...
tongue.gif
In any case, the new Pennzoil Platinum synthetic lineup is really turning heads and should be a pretty good alternative (and considerably cheaper at the moment as well).

As for the cartridge filter design, from everything I can gather it's a great design that just isn't getting the widespread acceptance that it should. I don't know enough about the "technical side" of things to really comment on that, however I have yet to have an issue with mine.

Oh, and by the way, I too own a 2.3L Mazda3.
smile.gif
 
You could go with RedLine. That would be a great product for wintertime in Canada. Probably the lowest pumping temperature around..-40C
 
quote:
So far I have been using 0W20 Mobil1 but knowing that they stopped production and then re-introduced it again. I am leaning away from them.
Click to expand...
I'm curious, why would this have you leaning away from it?
 
"I have a Mazda3 2.3L with the cartridge type filter. It requires 5W20 oil"

Requires? Or something Mazda did to appease CAFE? The real question is what oils for this engine are used elsewhere...Japan,Europe, Australia etc that do not have CAFE. A comment by a Honda engineer recommending 30weight vs 20weight awhile back let the genie out of the bag on that.

Do not let 5W20 blind side you from other viscosities. German Castrol 0W30, Mobil 0W40,5W30 etc would be just fine.
 
Is there an article somewhere where the Honda Engineer is referenced recommending 30w over 20w oils?
 
Another vote for Redline 5w-20. Peruse through the UOA section for it's success stories.

Other than Redline and the M1 that you're leaning away from, the only 20wt synth's that are worth a look are Pennzoil Platinum and Amsoil IMO.
 
I know that I read a few years ago that Jackson Racing (who specializes in racing Hondas) recommended 10w30 as the best weight for Honda 4 cylinder engines at temps above freezing. This was in the Tech section in the rear of R&T magazine.
 
Pennzoil Platinum in 5W-20. If that viscosity is hard to find, stores that sell the Platinum but not the 5W-20 weight will somwtimes special order it for you at no extra cost.
 
Well I am staying away from the new Mobil1 0W20 because I wasn't sure if it hasn't proven itself to be as good as their old formula. Please inform me about this.

Plus Mobil1 is pretty expensive here in Ontario, Canada. $8.00 Cdn a quart and changing it at 8k km interval in order to stay within manufacturer specification and warranty requirements.

I also question the limits of this cartridge filter over extra long intervals.

If the new formula is as good as the old then maybe I will just stay with Mobil1.

Or if there is something that's has been proven to be as good as the leading brands (like mobil1 and GC) at lower price, than I will switch to that and continue to change the oil at 8k km intervals.
 
How does the mobil1 5w20 compare to their 0w20?

I've been using 0w20 because the 5w20 wasn't available 2 years ago.


The car requires 5w20.
 
In Canada U have another option: Esso XD-3 0w30.
They suggest U use 5w20 for better mileage but U can use 0w30 or 5w30 without issues.
 
Motocraft UOA, is it the motocraft oil bought in the US or Canada?

Because someone spotted the difference before at a dealership?

My dealership is using Motocraft oil and they did my last oil change (by mistake, I didn't want it done). This entire winter my car has been sounding funny during cold start up. It sounds a lot louder and seems rough. Everything sounds fine once the engine is warm. I don't recall this problem with Mobil1 0w20 last winter. We've been having a very very mild winter this year (average or 32F compared to 15F or lower for the most part last year).
 
Are you sure they are using motorcraft oil?
2 of the major ford dealers by me use.....
bulk quaker state 5w30 in everything!!! ugh.
or if you tell them 2 or 3 times they will put in
5w20 for 1.50$ extra a qt.
It not only happened to me 3x.. They did it to my dad after I told him to watch what they put in.
 
quote:
"If your wanting to switch away from them is because of them updating their product lineup to meet newer, more stringent criteria, then you must have a screw or two lose..."
Click to expand...
Is that comment really necessary ??? You M1 fan@t!cs are starting to get a little bit too agressive IMO.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
2025 -- (up to 4/30/2025) YTD Totals: "Post your latest oil change"
Replies
5
Views
1K
perkz
A
2014 silverado
Replies
19
Views
2K
OILJUNKIE
6.7 CTD
2022 Camry 2.5 fuel dilution/viscosity selection question
2 3
Replies
56
Views
8K
SiRDOHC
R
Napa Proformer Oil Filter and M1 5w20
2
Replies
27
Views
6K
Nesterenko
L
high charge voltage causing LED Headlights to Flicker
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
SOUNDMAN5000
Back
Top Bottom