Positive experience with Mobil 1 Extended Performance. What makes it so smooth.

[pdx4x4]

Vehicle: Subaru Outback 2017 3.6R with close to 40K miles.

I have had this car for 9 years, purchased it new and since COIVD it only sees 2; to 3k miles a year. I have been changing oil and filter (OEM) once a year with either regular Mobil 1 5W-30 or Kirkland 5W-30. I switched to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-30 this spring, 1.5K miles later I can tell the car has never been this smooth. Start-up, idle or on the highway where it feels like just humming along like an electric vehicle. I was planning on switching to Mobil 1 ESP, but it seems like the EP is what the car really likes.

Being curious I looked up SDS on Mobil 1 site and it doesn't list any exotic Group IV or V ingredients. Surprisingly, the SDS is missing 75% of ingredient used to blend the final product. It can't be that Exxon mobil used 75% olive oil that deemed not to be included in the safety data. Thoughts?

SDS updated on 11/2025

 

[edyvw]

Vehicle: Subaru Outback 2017 3.6R with close to 40K miles.

I have had this car for 9 years, purchased it new and since COIVD it only sees 2; to 3k miles a year. I have been changing oil and filter (OEM) once a year with either regular Mobil 1 5W-30 or Kirkland 5W-30. I switched to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-30 this spring, 1.5K miles later I can tell the car has never been this smooth. Start-up, idle or on the highway where it feels like just humming along like an electric vehicle. I was planning on switching to Mobil 1 ESP, but it seems like the EP is what the car really likes.

Being curious I looked up SDS on Mobil 1 site and it doesn't list any exotic Group IV or V ingredients. Surprisingly, the SDS is missing 75% of ingredient used to blend the final product. It can't be that Exxon mobil used 75% olive oil that deemed not to be included in the safety data. Thoughts?

SDS updated on 11/2025

View attachment 349695

Let's repeat:
In the SDS, only chemicals that are harmful to first responders are listed. That is why it is called: Safety Data Sheet or SDS.

 

[Japanese]

I was planning on switching to Mobil 1 ESP, but it seems like the EP is what the car really likes.

ESP 0W-30—Do it
I would also consider Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30.
You cannot say what the car likes or not unless you try other oils.

 

[Slick 55]

I noticed the same thing when I had my Ram 1500, when I switched from Pennzoil to Mobil 1 Extended Performance

 

[tblt44]

Been running this in a 4 runner since bought used 3 years ago.
Guess it performs well.

 

[GW.]

I had the same experience with Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 in my Subaru’s. They react well to higher grades.

 

[Adkcedarman]

This Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 got me thinking about irresponsible things… I always have over 60qts stash of valvoline, but I really like what I’m seeing on this ESP stuff.

 

[facility1]

I had the same experience with Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 in my Subaru’s. They react well to higher grades.

I had the opposite effect with this Mobil 1 ESP, went to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and much better performance, the Esp in my Subaru acted sluggish, clatter when starting, mpg lower. to note same oat, I can see absolutely no advantage in the Esp oil. Unless you have a euro. car.

 

[GW.]

I had the opposite effect with this Mobil 1 ESP, went to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and much better performance, the Esp in my Subaru acted sluggish, clatter when starting, mpg lower. to note same oat, I can see absolutely no advantage in the Esp oil. Unless you have a euro. car.

I’m running it in 4 Subaru’s currently including a 24 Crosstrek. Nothing of the sort is happening. It’s all in your head IMO. It passes all SQ engine test requirements.

 

[facility1]

I’m running it in 4 Subaru’s currently including a 24 Crosstrek. Nothing of the sort is happening. It’s all in your head IMO.

Well it sure did not agree with my experience in my 2024 ,2.0 Subaru. though I had high hopes.

 

[Patman]

Well it sure did not agree with my experience in my 2024 ,2.0 Subaru. though I had high hopes.

You need to get over your ESP derangement syndrome

 

[facility1]

You need to get over your ESP derangement syndrome

Just stating what my experiences are with this oil.

 

[wings&wheels]

Let's repeat:
In the SDS, only chemicals that are harmful to first responders are listed. That is why it is called: Safety Data Sheet or SDS.

Yes, excellent point. Also worth noting that there are differences between countries or regions so comparing product SDS's between countries is not clear cut. Getting there on harmonization, but not yet.

 

[Zee09]

Usually aging and loss of hearing creates the illusion of smoothness with ESP and other Mobil 🛢

 

[Patman]

Just stating what my experiences are with this oil.

You bash it at every opportunity, saying silly things about it. That’s a lot more than simply sharing your experiences with it. And saying that it’s only for a European car. That’s completely nonsense

 

[facility1]

Though the SDS sheet will give a general idea of the formulation (which components that are deemed hazardous ) ,it does not tell you ALL what is in the total recipe

 

[facility1]

You bash it at every opportunity, saying silly things about it. That’s a lot more than simply sharing your experiences with it. And saying that it’s only for a European car. That’s completely nonsense

Are you a Tribologist or what are your credentials? we all would like what can be learned here in a positive note.

 

[Plumb Bob]

Just stating what my experiences are with this oil.

Your experiences are not based in any technical methodology, nor you have any technical data to back your claim. Based on previous posts, I would suspect your critique of said oil is based on a bias.

Biases hinder learning.

 

[GW.]

Well it sure did not agree with my experience in my 2024 ,2.0 Subaru. though I had high hopes.

You’ve been bashing ESP well before you had your Subaru, over a year now. I have my doubts if you actually tried it….

Again I am currently running it in a 24 Crosstrek 2.0 with absolutely no problems. Your observations if real are in your head.

 

[Patman]

Are you a Tribologist or what are your credentials? we all would like what can be learned here in a positive note.

I don’t need to be a tribologist to point out that you’re not adding any technical reason why you hate ESP so much and constantly post about that. It’s getting out of hand to be honest.