Observations of the 0W-30 in Corolla

[synthetic_crazy]

Tonight I completed my weekly fluid check in the '99 Corolla. I changed the oil with Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE SN the beginning of September and have since put 1300 miles on the oil. The car has been sitting for the last 36 hours and when I pulled the dipstick my oil is still golden brown. Normally with the other synthetics I have used (Edge, PU, PP) the oil is turning black by 1000 miles of use. Now I know that the visual look of the oil is by no means a good indicator of the oils condition, but I found the fact that my oil is still golden brown as interesting. Could it be that the new SN's formulation with its lower calcium and higher magnesium result in less cleaning of the engine? Also my Corolla is one of the notorious oil burners and I usually burn about 1 quart every 1000 miles with the other synthetics (Edge, PP, PU). However, with the 0W-30 AFE I have only burned a half a quart in 1300 miles. I was almost sure that the thinner 0W-30 would have burned more quickly. What are your thoughts on the color of the oil and slower consumption rate at 1300 miles with the 0W-30? The car has just over 130,000 miles.

 

[spasm3]

Until i bought a bunch of 5w 30 during napa's sale, i used 0w 30 in my escape. Very quiet smooth running oil. Its really not that thin though at 100c its cst is 10.9, its just not as thick at start up. Some people have theorized that the 0w oils have more group iv and v components, i have no idea but my escape runs well on it. when i use up the napa i will use the afe again. I wonder if the change to sn has given it more seal swelling ability?

 

[ltslimjim]

Consumption could still change from before, but eventually will stabilize. Less is a good thing generally! You could look at it this way: The M1 AFE 0w-30 may simply not be turning black by now because the engine has cleaned up some with the other synthetics you have used before this? The only way to know for sure is probably to use some Pennzoil Ultra next time. Run it out to 1,000 miles, let it sit for 2-3 days and see if it's black yet or still golden. ADDED: As spasm mentioned, it is thinner at start-up, but not necessarily at full-temp. If your oil loss is during operation/full temp then the thinner isn't going to increase consumption at all. You'd have to be losing oil externally otherwise.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: spasm3

Until i bought a bunch of 5w 30 during napa's sale, i used 0w 30 in my escape. Very quiet smooth running oil. Its really not that thin though at 100c its cst is 10.9, its just not as thick at start up. Some people have theorized that the 0w oils have more group iv and v components, i have no idea but my escape runs well on it. when i use up the napa i will use the afe again. I wonder if the change to sn has given it more seal swelling ability?

Do you have any issues with the NAPA synthetic? Only asking because I'm thinking of switching to it in December (NAPA synthetic sale I hope). I have the Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE in my 3.5 Colorado right now and happy with it also. (2K so far)

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en

Originally Posted By: spasm3

Until i bought a bunch of 5w 30 during napa's sale, i used 0w 30 in my escape. Very quiet smooth running oil. Its really not that thin though at 100c its cst is 10.9, its just not as thick at start up. Some people have theorized that the 0w oils have more group iv and v components, i have no idea but my escape runs well on it. when i use up the napa i will use the afe again. I wonder if the change to sn has given it more seal swelling ability?

Do you have any issues with the NAPA synthetic? Only asking because I'm thinking of switching to it in December (NAPA synthetic sale I hope). I have the Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE in my 3.5 Colorado right now and happy with it also. (2K so far)

Not so far, but its my first run of it, bought a few cases at 2.99 a quart. I'm going to run it to about 6500 and send off a uoa, i'll post it here when i do.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: synthetic_crazy

Tonight I completed my weekly fluid check in the '99 Corolla. I changed the oil with Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE SN the beginning of September and have since put 1300 miles on the oil. The car has been sitting for the last 36 hours and when I pulled the dipstick my oil is still golden brown. Normally with the other synthetics I have used (Edge, PU, PP) the oil is turning black by 1000 miles of use. Now I know that the visual look of the oil is by no means a good indicator of the oils condition, but I found the fact that my oil is still golden brown as interesting. Could it be that the new SN's formulation with its lower calcium and higher magnesium result in less cleaning of the engine? Also my Corolla is one of the notorious oil burners and I usually burn about 1 quart every 1000 miles with the other synthetics (Edge, PP, PU). However, with the 0W-30 AFE I have only burned a half a quart in 1300 miles. I was almost sure that the thinner 0W-30 would have burned more quickly. What are your thoughts on the color of the oil and slower consumption rate at 1300 miles with the 0W-30? The car has just over 130,000 miles.

If you are going to look at oil color, at least put a few drops on a white unused coffee filter for the examination. Do that at oil change time and keep as a reference, if your wife will let you keep these oily coffee filters around the house.