Mobil1 ESP question

[Dimitrius James]

I've been looking into Mobil1's ESP line and am trying to understand it. I understand that it was developed to protect emission systems components in both gasoline and diesel vehicles, having originally been developed for European cars, according to M1's website. That said, it doesn't seem to have an API certification, but the PDS states it meets various API test "requirements."

Does this mean it should be safe to use in cars that call for an API SP rated oil? It has an excellent cSt of 12.0 on its 0w-30. Contemplating using it in the wife's HEV.

 

[john_pifer]

Long story short, it exceeds API requirements, but Mobil doesn’t waste the money buying a license because domestic & non-Euro cars aren’t the target market.

Great general purpose oil that will perform superbly in just about anything. I use it in our Odyssey and in my Elantra N.

My Tacoma gets the M1 Euro FS 0W-40 because it has 300,000+ miles and port fuel injection.

 

[travis8352]

I take it as it passes all the engine tests for API SP but maybe it doesnt meet the other parts of API SP like maybe the SA% is to high or ZDDP may be to high for API SP

 

[cookand]

could also use the 5w30 which does carry the API SP approval

 

[Glenda W.]

Phosphorus is over API limit(a good thing). Passes all engine performance tests.

 

[OilUzer]

Curious, is 0W-30 the spec?

I thought HEVs were into 0W-8/16 type of stuff. The car may get a HTHS shock!

 

[Blagoje]

All I care about is that it doesn't hurt my catalytic converters! My Honda, for example, doesn't really have any oil standards in terms of what is recommended aside from simply using a 0w20 grade oil and I have used M1 ESP 0W20 in the past without any negative impact that I'm aware of.

 

[EllieMae94]

All I care about is that it doesn't hurt my catalytic converters! My Honda, for example, doesn't really have any oil standards in terms of what is recommended aside from simply using a 0w20 grade oil and I have used M1 ESP 0W20 in the past without any negative impact that I'm aware of.

D they really protect the cats any better than say a full saps oil though? I thought the ESP targeted protecting DPF/GPF?

 

[kschachn]

D they really protect the cats any better than say a full saps oil though? I thought the ESP targeted protecting DPF/GPF?

As well as it being completely dependent on oil consumption. If your engine isn't consuming a large amount of oil then it is irrelevant.

The only time I saw a catalyst efficiency code on a vehicle due to the oil was one where it was consuming more than a quart in 500 miles, plus the guy was using an HDEO.

 

[Blueshound]

I've been looking into Mobil1's ESP line and am trying to understand it. I understand that it was developed to protect emission systems components in both gasoline and diesel vehicles, having originally been developed for European cars, according to M1's website. That said, it doesn't seem to have an API certification, but the PDS states it meets various API test "requirements."

View attachment 282689
Does this mean it should be safe to use in cars that call for an API SP rated oil? It has an excellent cSt of 12.0 on its 0w-30. Contemplating using it in the wife's HEV.

5w-30 ESP is rated SP.

 

[GlenPratov]

Why does the API license matter for a motor oil designed for foreign vehicles? API means American Petroleum Institute and we only have it in America. Owner manuals for American vehicles specify the API donut and Starburst. The oil above doesn't have the Starburst. Or are people purposely using the wrong oil in their vehicles?

 

[Blagoje]

Why does the API license matter for a motor oil designed for foreign vehicles? API means American Petroleum Institute and we only have it in America. Owner manuals for American vehicles specify the API donut and Starburst. The oil above doesn't have the Starburst. Or are people purposely using the wrong oil in their vehicles?

Does the API even matter? Legit question because I have seen so many API approved products that have been put on fraud alert status by entities such as PQIA. IMO The standards of API appear to me to be very low.

 

[Dborch41]

I have a 2020 Silverado with the 5.3L (whew!) engine, I live in South Texas so I currently run M1 0W-30 AFE since it has the DEXOS rating for what it's worth. I'm curious if I should switch to the European formula since I know DEXOS isn't exactly mandatory in the real world, especially after warranty.
Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I do want to use the best option available.

 

[Blueshound]

Or are people purposely using the wrong oil in their vehicles?

That's like half the threads on this site LOL.

 

[GlenPratov]

Does the API even matter? Legit question because I have seen so many API approved products that have been put on fraud alert status by entities such as PQIA. IMO The standards of API appear to me to be very low.

IIRC I think it's a pay-to-play system. You have to buy a yearly license for each product you sell and it has to pass some minimum tests. The bar is set so low that only the worse of the worse will not meet those specs.

It seems like the system is geared towards two things:

1. Collect API licensing fees.
2. In return offer a "seal of approval" that makes OEMs happy that the motor oil in question will successfully take the vehicle through the warranty period - maybe.

 

[kschachn]

IIRC I think it's a pay-to-play system. You have to buy a yearly license for each product you sell and it has to pass some minimum tests. The bar is set so low that only the worse of the worse will not meet those specs.

It seems like the system is geared towards two things:

1. Collect API licensing fees.
2. In return offer a "seal of approval" that makes OEMs happy that the motor oil in question will successfully take the vehicle through the warranty period - maybe.

So you're the "licenses are a conspiracy" guy?

 

[Blagoje]

So you're the "licenses are a conspiracy" guy?

This is BAIT, don't take it @GlenPratov

 

[GlenPratov]

So you're the "licenses are a conspiracy" guy?

I recommend you read "Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. The book talks about economic incentives, and how humans find ways to beat incentive schemes even at a very young age. It's no different with the API: it's an incentive scheme that incentivises manufacturers to meet the bare minimum specs to obtain the "seal of approval". There is no incentive for them to do better, no payoff. They get more sales out of good marketing than they do from making a good product.

 

[kschachn]

I recommend you read "Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. The book talks about economic incentives, and how humans find ways to beat incentive schemes even at a very young age. It's not different with the API: it's an incentive scheme that incentivises manufacturers to meet the bare minimum specs to obtain the "seal of approval". There is no incentive for them to do better, no payoff. They get more sales out of good marketing than they do from making a good product.

Thanks. I remember a former member recommending that as well.

 

[scrllock]

Why does the API license matter for a motor oil designed for foreign vehicles? API means American Petroleum Institute and we only have it in America. Owner manuals for American vehicles specify the API donut and Starburst. The oil above doesn't have the Starburst. Or are people purposely using the wrong oil in their vehicles?

I know this is bait too, but I have a foreign vehicle which explicitly requires API SN. Japanese carmakers seem especially lenient on the minimum standards, I think Honda is the only one I've seen with their own spec.