SuperTech 5W-30 Out, Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 In - Completely Anecdotal Experience

[Number_35]

I changed oil in our 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3) in early September, adding Walmart SuperTech (Supertech) 5W-30. That was at about 276,000 km (171,000 miles).

I consider our driving since about mid-November to have fallen into the severe service category - cold ambient temperatures, cold starts, short trips, and lots of idling.

Several months ago Walmart dropped its price on plain-Jane Mobil synthetic, to where it was price-competitive with the Supertech. That led to me asking here (on BITOG) about the merits of the various Mobil synthetic oils, and ultimately I decided to go with Mobil 1 ESP.

The ESP came on sale at Canadian Tire (CT), so I bought several jugs. (@Patman, I think it was you who gave me the heads-up - thank you.)

Anyway, by yesterday we had racked up about 6,000 km on the Supertech (odometer just under 282,000 km), much of the mileage under severe conditions, and I decided I would change it rather than wait for Spring.

I did the oil change in my garage, which was sitting at about -11°C. The Supertech would not have been much warmer; I started the van briefly, only for long enough to drive it up onto the ramps, and then didn't get back to it for about an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP, meanwhile, had been cold-soaking in the garage for several weeks (probably more like two or three months).

The Supertech (5W-30) drained out like tar. It probably took half an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP went in like it was at room temperature - it seemed to be impervious to the cold.

Driving last night, my butt dyno said the van felt much more responsive. I know, totally subjective.

Anyway, there are two factors at play here - 0W-30 vs. 5W-30, and Supertech vs. Mobil 1 ESP.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30!

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

Yeah the differences do become noticeable at typical Canadian winter temps. I suspect some folks here who don’t live in a northern or high altitude climates just don’t understand cold. They see numbers on a screen and think “Oh, you can run 5w down to -30 just fine” because the numbers on the screen say so.

Ok, it flows, but not nearly as well as a 0w. In true cold, batteries are weak, starters are weak, and everything is struggling more. Adding more resistance to the system by way of 5w over 0w can easily make the difference between starting and not starting depending on all the other variables at play.

Not to mention the added wear in the period of time it take the engine to warm up. This is especially troublesome if you have shorter trips.

There’s nothing wrong with 5w, but there’s also nothing wrong with 0w either, and it’s a smart option once temps drop into that -11C/12F territory.

 

[Rand]

Also consider the Supertech was used oil
and is a value oil
the pour point depressants could have degraded
making it a 10w30.

I have had a few -15F starts in the last weeks.. and while it grunts a little the car starts right up.
Currently mobil 1 ESP 0w30 in the sump. with 2500 miles and a bunch of 2 mile commutes on it.
Not walking friendly where I live(even if it wasnt -15f)
too many weirdos/druggies/homeless out at the odd times I go into work.

Off topic but we do have one really epic (mostly harmless) guy who walks everywhere in a 90's full leather trenchcoat like hes The Highlander at -10f or 90f same coat.

 

[Patman]

Yeah the differences do become noticeable at typical Canadian winter temps. I suspect some folks here who don’t live in a northern or high altitude climates just don’t understand cold. They see numbers on a screen and think “Oh, you can run 5w down to -30 just fine” because the numbers on the screen say so.

Ok, it flows, but not nearly as well as a 0w. In true cold, batteries are weak, starters are weak, and everything is struggling more. Adding more resistance to the system by way of 5w over 0w can easily make the difference between starting and not starting depending on all the other variables at play.

Not to mention the added wear in the period of time it take the engine to warm up. This is especially troublesome if you have shorter trips.

There’s nothing wrong with 5w, but there’s also nothing wrong with 0w either, and it’s a smart option once temps drop into that -11C/12F territory.

I wouldn’t even consider running a 5w in the winter in my area, not unless it was in a car that was garaged and didn’t have to be cold started outside very often. It can get down below -20C here a few times a year and it’s often below-15, which in theory means 5w should be fine but also keep in mind that with a lot of oils they will slip one winter rating as they get more miles on them so that oil which was a 5w when new can become a 10w. So for me 0w is the way to go. In fact my 2016 Civic is on it’s original battery and it starts up just fine at -15C with 0w-20 in there.

 

[GW.]

There’s a fairly large gap in base oil quality between ESP and ST. Obviously ESP has the edge, one being cold temperature performance.

 

[4wd]

I changed oil in our 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3) in early September, adding Walmart SuperTech (Supertech) 5W-30. That was at about 276,000 km (171,000 miles).

I consider our driving since about mid-November to have fallen into the severe service category - cold ambient temperatures, cold starts, short trips, and lots of idling.

Several months ago Walmart dropped its price on plain-Jane Mobil synthetic, to where it was price-competitive with the Supertech. That led to me asking here (on BITOG) about the merits of the various Mobil synthetic oils, and ultimately I decided to go with Mobil 1 ESP.

The ESP came on sale at Canadian Tire (CT), so I bought several jugs. (@Patman, I think it was you who gave me the heads-up - thank you.)

Anyway, by yesterday we had racked up about 6,000 km on the Supertech (odometer just under 282,000 km), much of the mileage under severe conditions, and I decided I would change it rather than wait for Spring.

I did the oil change in my garage, which was sitting at about -11°C. The Supertech would not have been much warmer; I started the van briefly, only for long enough to drive it up onto the ramps, and then didn't get back to it for about an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP, meanwhile, had been cold-soaking in the garage for several weeks (probably more like two or three months).

The Supertech (5W-30) drained out like tar. It probably took half an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP went in like it was at room temperature - it seemed to be impervious to the cold.

Driving last night, my butt dyno said the van felt much more responsive. I know, totally subjective.

Anyway, there are two factors at play here - 0W-30 vs. 5W-30, and Supertech vs. Mobil 1 ESP.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30!

Your battery will send a birthday card

 

[Number_35]

I wouldn’t even consider running a 5w in the winter in my area, not unless it was in a car that was garaged and didn’t have to be cold started outside very often. It can get down below -20C here a few times a year and it’s often below-15, which in theory means 5w should be fine but also keep in mind that with a lot of oils they will slip one winter rating as they get more miles on them so that oil which was a 5w when new can become a 10w. So for me 0w is the way to go. In fact my 2016 Civic is on it’s original battery and it starts up just fine at -15C with 0w-20 in there.

Our garage is attached, and picks up heat from the house. I don't think it's been below -15°C this winter (in spite of some very low outdoor temperatures) but there is the occasional start outdoors when the temperature is colder than -30°C and the van has been sitting for a few hours.

 

[Number_35]

Also consider the Supertech was used oil
and is a value oil
the pour point depressants could have degraded
making it a 10w30.

I have had a few -15F starts in the last weeks.. and while it grunts a little the car starts right up.
Currently mobil 1 ESP 0w30 in the sump. with 2500 miles and a bunch of 2 mile commutes on it.
Not walking friendly where I live(even if it wasnt -15f)
too many weirdos/druggies/homeless out at the odd times I go into work.

Off topic but we do have one really epic (mostly harmless) guy who walks everywhere in a 90's full leather trenchcoat like hes The Highlander at -10f or 90f same coat.

Yes, the 3rd factor (besides manufacturer and winter rating) was old vs. new oil. Good point.

 

[GI_GRIFF]

I changed oil in our 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3) in early September, adding Walmart SuperTech (Supertech) 5W-30. That was at about 276,000 km (171,000 miles).

I consider our driving since about mid-November to have fallen into the severe service category - cold ambient temperatures, cold starts, short trips, and lots of idling.

Several months ago Walmart dropped its price on plain-Jane Mobil synthetic, to where it was price-competitive with the Supertech. That led to me asking here (on BITOG) about the merits of the various Mobil synthetic oils, and ultimately I decided to go with Mobil 1 ESP.

The ESP came on sale at Canadian Tire (CT), so I bought several jugs. (@Patman, I think it was you who gave me the heads-up - thank you.)

Anyway, by yesterday we had racked up about 6,000 km on the Supertech (odometer just under 282,000 km), much of the mileage under severe conditions, and I decided I would change it rather than wait for Spring.

I did the oil change in my garage, which was sitting at about -11°C. The Supertech would not have been much warmer; I started the van briefly, only for long enough to drive it up onto the ramps, and then didn't get back to it for about an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP, meanwhile, had been cold-soaking in the garage for several weeks (probably more like two or three months).

The Supertech (5W-30) drained out like tar. It probably took half an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP went in like it was at room temperature - it seemed to be impervious to the cold.

Driving last night, my butt dyno said the van felt much more responsive. I know, totally subjective.

Anyway, there are two factors at play here - 0W-30 vs. 5W-30, and Supertech vs. Mobil 1 ESP.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30!

@Number_35 , read post # 5, what @GW. said. I am sure that is some of it too.

 

[Number_35]

@Number_35 , read post # 5, what @GW. said. I am sure that is some of it too.

I'd bet you're right. For an extra c. $14 (C$) per oil change, it seems like the way to go.

 

[Japanese]

I remember several years ago when I was telling people on a Euro forum that I drive with Mobil AFE and they told me it doesn't have anything to do with Mobil 1 ESP.

Btw, Mobil recently started selling ESP on the US market, but AFE was never sold overseas.

 

[bjboertje]

I remember several years ago when I was telling people on a Euro forum that I drive with Mobil AFE and they told me it doesn't have anything to do with Mobil 1 ESP.

Btw, Mobil recently started selling ESP on the US market, but AFE was never sold overseas.

What are you trying to say? Mobil 1 AFE is a different formula than Mobil 1 ESP. Mobil 1 ESP > Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy

 

[Hootbro]

Who blends SuperTech oil for the Canadian market?

 

[tired]

What are you trying to say? Mobil 1 AFE is a different formula than Mobil 1 ESP. Mobil 1 ESP > Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy

Yeah I'm not sure either. AFE is trash. ESP is top tier.

 

[Number_35]

Who blends SuperTech oil for the Canadian market?

Folks here say it's Warren Distributors, the same as make the Kirkland oil for Costco.

 

[JWC86]

I have run 5w30 for many years in northern Canada where -20c is the norm for the winters and -30c isn’t uncommon and sometimes even into the -40c’s.

That said, I plug it in anything below -10c

If I weren’t plugging it in I would probably change my mind… well actually I bought a bunch of 0w40 for my truck and 0w30 for the wife’s car(garage kept over night) when it was on sale. I think I’ll use up my stash of Kirkland 5w30 over the summers and just continue with Mobil 1 0w30/40 moving forward.

 

[EllieMae94]

I remember several years ago when I was telling people on a Euro forum that I drive with Mobil AFE and they told me it doesn't have anything to do with Mobil 1 ESP.

Btw, Mobil recently started selling ESP on the US market, but AFE was never sold overseas.

Pretty sure ESP has been sold on the US market for quite awhile.

 

[edyvw]

Pretty sure ESP has been sold on the US market for quite awhile.

At least 5-6yrs.

 

[edyvw]

I changed oil in our 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3) in early September, adding Walmart SuperTech (Supertech) 5W-30. That was at about 276,000 km (171,000 miles).

I consider our driving since about mid-November to have fallen into the severe service category - cold ambient temperatures, cold starts, short trips, and lots of idling.

Several months ago Walmart dropped its price on plain-Jane Mobil synthetic, to where it was price-competitive with the Supertech. That led to me asking here (on BITOG) about the merits of the various Mobil synthetic oils, and ultimately I decided to go with Mobil 1 ESP.

The ESP came on sale at Canadian Tire (CT), so I bought several jugs. (@Patman, I think it was you who gave me the heads-up - thank you.)

Anyway, by yesterday we had racked up about 6,000 km on the Supertech (odometer just under 282,000 km), much of the mileage under severe conditions, and I decided I would change it rather than wait for Spring.

I did the oil change in my garage, which was sitting at about -11°C. The Supertech would not have been much warmer; I started the van briefly, only for long enough to drive it up onto the ramps, and then didn't get back to it for about an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP, meanwhile, had been cold-soaking in the garage for several weeks (probably more like two or three months).

The Supertech (5W-30) drained out like tar. It probably took half an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP went in like it was at room temperature - it seemed to be impervious to the cold.

Driving last night, my butt dyno said the van felt much more responsive. I know, totally subjective.

Anyway, there are two factors at play here - 0W-30 vs. 5W-30, and Supertech vs. Mobil 1 ESP.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30!

Unless Supertech oxidized too much, it should be the other way around. ESP 0W30 has higher HTHS=more resistance.

 

[Carlostrece]

I changed oil in our 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3) in early September, adding Walmart SuperTech (Supertech) 5W-30. That was at about 276,000 km (171,000 miles).

I consider our driving since about mid-November to have fallen into the severe service category - cold ambient temperatures, cold starts, short trips, and lots of idling.

Several months ago Walmart dropped its price on plain-Jane Mobil synthetic, to where it was price-competitive with the Supertech. That led to me asking here (on BITOG) about the merits of the various Mobil synthetic oils, and ultimately I decided to go with Mobil 1 ESP.

The ESP came on sale at Canadian Tire (CT), so I bought several jugs. (@Patman, I think it was you who gave me the heads-up - thank you.)

Anyway, by yesterday we had racked up about 6,000 km on the Supertech (odometer just under 282,000 km), much of the mileage under severe conditions, and I decided I would change it rather than wait for Spring.

I did the oil change in my garage, which was sitting at about -11°C. The Supertech would not have been much warmer; I started the van briefly, only for long enough to drive it up onto the ramps, and then didn't get back to it for about an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP, meanwhile, had been cold-soaking in the garage for several weeks (probably more like two or three months).

The Supertech (5W-30) drained out like tar. It probably took half an hour.

The Mobil 1 ESP went in like it was at room temperature - it seemed to be impervious to the cold.

Driving last night, my butt dyno said the van felt much more responsive. I know, totally subjective.

Anyway, there are two factors at play here - 0W-30 vs. 5W-30, and Supertech vs. Mobil 1 ESP.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30!

You should change oil soon after a 15+ min drive, especially in a cold climate. In a very cold (below freezing) climate change oil soon after a 30+ min drive. Then oil will drain faster and remove more contaminents with it.

I do agree that 0w30 is a better choice for you than 5w30.