Switching from Mobil 1 - Recommendations & Why

[SigQAEngineer]

Yes.

Originally Posted By: danthaman1980
Sig, that's exactly what I would expect. GC is one of the thickest 30wt oils available, while RP is one of the thinner ones. Both are good oils but they are very different.

 

[wally6934]

If you do a little soul searching you just might be getting bored using the same oil all of the time with all of the different oils being discussed on the forum. I was using Mobil 1 High Mileage and almost got sucked into the ultra craze when it came out. I bought a 5qt bottle and returned it when i realized the only reason i was going to run it was because everyone was having so much fun using it. As it was, Mobil 1 was an overkill for my engine. Ultra would have been triple kill and 30% more money.

As for the noise issue of different oils in the valve train, It has no correlation to oil quality. If it really does bother you though, as others have said there are many other top tier motor oils that would work fine in your engine. As long as it is an approved oil for you car feel free to switch. Watch you oil consumption with your new oil and make your decision if noise / oil consumption of one oil is better than another. I would not waste my money on a used oil analysis as any top tier oil will give acceptable numbers.

BTW i just posted this today in another thread but i will repost here. Mobil has released a new product guide a few months ago. It looks to me that they have upgraded their oil formulations, as many more oils have more approvals, my guess 50% more approvals.

link

 

[wally6934]

Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
I haven't had any oil related failures with M1, with the exception of an oil pump falling out into the pan (not the fault of the oil) after my unfortunate acquisition of a new Chevrolet Citation.


This has to be a good story. An oil pump falling off the car, hold on let me get a beer........OK i’m ready.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Pennzoil ultra if you can find it.


Originally Posted By: TrevorS
I've found Ultra to be quieter than M1.

I also preferred Quaker State Ultimate Durability / PP to Valvoline and Castrol.

So I would go for Ultra or another SOPUS 5w30.


Saw another thread on here that sounded like Pennzoil Ultra was being discontinued? Not sure if that's true or not, or maybe it was just Walmart that was not going to carry it anymore (?).
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ultra-take-that-pennzoil-w-pics.196610/

I see it also meets the GM 4718M (Corvette and Cadillac) oil spec.
http://www.pennzoil.com/motor-oil/pennzoil-ultra-synthetic-oil/#Specifications

 

[kr_bitog]

Just stick with Mobil 1 5w30 SN version, this is robust oil and does not cause excessive valvetrain noise. The SM version tends too thin at hot temperature and cause noisy valvetrain.
What I observe Mobil 1 additive tends works better on hotter engine except for the Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy, while the PU and PP works great both low and high temperature.
So far Amsoil Signature series gives quiet engine when it is new, but once it is exposed to extreme heat, it tends to thicken more during startup.
I have been using Mobil 1 for 10 years, and no engine failure because of oil, but I know in certain times Mobil 1 just have not the best that I like and could do better to reduce wear.

I think this has been bashed enough, it also depends on the engine and driving pattern.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

Originally Posted By: wally6934
Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
I haven't had any oil related failures with M1, with the exception of an oil pump falling out into the pan (not the fault of the oil) after my unfortunate acquisition of a new Chevrolet Citation.


This has to be a good story. An oil pump falling off the car, hold on let me get a beer........OK i’m ready.


I'll bite, at the risk of hijacking the thread. Open the beer.

I special ordered the car from AAFES in Okinawa, to be picked up in Flint MI. Minimal shipping charges and no tax. After flying the redeye from CA, I hit the dealership in the morning and started the drive back to the Left Coast. Didn't bother to check the car closely. It was a new car, right? Later, as it turned to night, the semi-trucks let me know something was wrong - my back up lights were on all the time. It was a harbinger of the future with that car.
When I got it home, I found the car had a bound hatchback (it rubbed the roof), a leaky sunroof and paint that looked like a three year had buffed out with a grinding wheel. Not long after, while driving to work, I heard valve train noise and checked the gauges. Saw the oil pressure dropping like a rock to zero. I put it in neutral, turned off the key, and coasted to the side of the road. Had it towed to the dealer. Dealer said the oil pump bolts weren't tightened, and "...it fell off into the pan". Got it back seven weeks later with a still leaky sunroof, an oil starved engine, bad paint, and a binding hatchback. The seven weeks were reportedly because they were waiting on a part that didn't need to be replaced (clutch throwout bearing), but had a TSB out on it.
That car spent about 4 months of it's 11 month life at the dealership. It never was fixed. The sunroof leak finally went away though, when they glued the thing down using silicone glue on the front and sides (you couldn't remove it, but you could almost open it). After seeing that, I left the dealership immediately as I knew if I spoke to anyone there, I'd be going to jail.

 

[wally6934]

Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
Originally Posted By: wally6934
Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
I haven't had any oil related failures with M1, with the exception of an oil pump falling out into the pan (not the fault of the oil) after my unfortunate acquisition of a new Chevrolet Citation.


This has to be a good story. An oil pump falling off the car, hold on let me get a beer........OK i’m ready.


I'll bite, at the risk of hijacking the thread. Open the beer.

I special ordered the car from AAFES in Okinawa, to be picked up in Flint MI. Minimal shipping charges and no tax. After flying the redeye from CA, I hit the dealership in the morning and started the drive back to the Left Coast. Didn't bother to check the car closely. It was a new car, right? Later, as it turned to night, the semi-trucks let me know something was wrong - my back up lights were on all the time. It was a harbinger of the future with that car.
When I got it home, I found the car had a bound hatchback (it rubbed the roof), a leaky sunroof and paint that looked like a three year had buffed out with a grinding wheel. Not long after, while driving to work, I heard valve train noise and checked the gauges. Saw the oil pressure dropping like a rock to zero. I put it in neutral, turned off the key, and coasted to the side of the road. Had it towed to the dealer. Dealer said the oil pump bolts weren't tightened, and "...it fell off into the pan". Got it back seven weeks later with a still leaky sunroof, an oil starved engine, bad paint, and a binding hatchback. The seven weeks were reportedly because they were waiting on a part that didn't need to be replaced (clutch throwout bearing), but had a TSB out on it.
That car spent about 4 months of it's 11 month life at the dealership. It never was fixed. The sunroof leak finally went away though, when they glued the thing down using silicone glue on the front and sides (you couldn't remove it, but you could almost open it). After seeing that, I left the dealership immediately as I knew if I spoke to anyone there, I'd be going to jail.



Now i know where those stories about a man walking into a public place with a uzi and blowing everyone away comes from. Good story, i do not know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

Originally Posted By: wally6934


Now i know where those stories about a man walking into a public place with a uzi and blowing everyone away comes from. Good story, i do not know whether to laugh or cry.


I didn't want to go to jail for assault, so I didn't seek out the mechanic. I was afraid he might say something inappropriate, and end up with a broken nose. It was about time to do something worse to them - hire an attorney.

The car was totaled by the now ex-wife before it was a year old, so I was saved the pain of having to go after GM or the dealership. Insurance paid me about $2500 more than the new car cost, so I made out financially. It was 22 years before I bought another Chevrolet car again.

 

[JHL88]

I used PU in my 02 z06 & it loved that oil. Ran great nice & quiet for an LS engine and didn't use a lick of oil.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: SigQAEngineer
Let a Prius owner chime in

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A Prius's engine is computer controlled & frequently turning itself On/Off pending driving condition, speed etc. Therefore, cold starting performance is tested very extensively.

Consequently, a Prius owner gets many repeated opportunities listening to how his engine is behaving after an OC.

While my Prius is under factory warranty dealers performed OC & 5w30 conventional were used.
Best MPG recorded = 47 mpg

When I started using synthetics at 60K, Mobil 1 5w30 was my first choice, the best recorded mpg was 48.9 mpg, not bad IMO.

Tried German Castrol 0w30 just once & contrary to my expectations it did not perform as well as Mobil 1, best recorded mpg = 48.4, as others have pointed out, the GC 0w30 has a higher than average viscosity at warm temp & I find that absolutely correct.

Once reached operating temperature, every time the engine is restarting I can feel more drag from GC than Mobil 1 & there was more start-up vibration resulted from a heavier oil.

But does this mean GC is not as good as Mobil 1 ? Absolutely not, because Prius's engine is fairly low in output & HP comparing to your Z-06's LS6, and it max rpm is 4500. IMO the GC is over kill. It is obvious GC is made for high performance engines.

IMO your Z-06 could benefit from the GC's higher viscosity, which is almost 40 wt.

Not long ago I switched to Royal Purple 5w30 after scored a 12 qt deal on eBay for $87.95 shipped. I immediately noticed a difference, my cold starting vibration is non-existent & engine is quieter. Something in RP makes it more "slippery" than anything else I've tried.

Remember, a Prius owner gets to hear his engine restarting over & over.

I ran the car out of gas on-purpose just to see how far I could get per tank using RP. One day my car stalled at 586 miles & drove 2 mi on battery until I found a gas station, took 11.4 gallon to fill up, which equates to 51.4 MPG, the best I've seen.

Keep in mind that I drive normally by keeping up w/ traffic & don't practice any "hypermiling" techniques to slow down the traffic & make people angry.

While I haven't tested Amsoil, Redline, Lucas etc. Royal Purple has given me the highest MPG after having used German Castrol 0w30 & Mobil 1 5w30.

Royal Purple 5w30 = 51.4 mpg
Mobil 1 5w30 = 48.9 mpg
GC European Formula 0w30 = 48.4





50mpg?????? Man that`s insane!!!!!!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: JHL88
I used PU in my 02 z06 & it loved that oil. Ran great nice & quiet for an LS engine and didn't use a lick of oil.


I see in you signature line that you used 5W-20 PU ... why not the 5w30? Or where you mixing up your own brew with PU and M1?

 

[FZ1]

The Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 is a light 30wt. Wouldn't go lighter that he Pennzoil Ultra 5w30....or heavier....than the Mobil 1 5w30 you are running.

 

[OVERKILL]

Why not try Mobil 1 0w-40? I mean if you feel you aren't getting "enough protection", just use the oil that GM is using in their track Corvette's

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Why not try Mobil 1 0w-40? I mean if you feel you aren't getting "enough protection", just use the oil that GM is using in their track Corvette's

I'll have to look into the specs on the Mobil 1 0W-40.

What do you guys think of this test comparison. Amsoil Signature series looks like a top tier full synthetic based on the test results. It also meets the GM spec for Corvettes. About $10/qt.

http://www.c66racing-synthetics.com/Files/G-3115.pdf

 

[crazyoildude]

i like the Quaker State Synthetic also and will use it unless the price increases then i go to something else super tech is good also

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Why not try Mobil 1 0w-40? I mean if you feel you aren't getting "enough protection", just use the oil that GM is using in their track Corvette's

I'll have to look into the specs on the Mobil 1 0W-40.

What do you guys think of this test comparison. Amsoil Signature series looks like a top tier full synthetic based on the test results. It also meets the GM spec for Corvettes. About $10/qt.

http://www.c66racing-synthetics.com/Files/G-3115.pdf


It is recommended for GM's Corvette spec applications. It does not carry a formal GM approval. It is an excellent oil though.

 

[Kool1]

I personally ran M1 years ago and my valvetrain sounded like a loud sewing machine. I haven't run M1 in years but am now using Mobil 1 Extended Performance and can say that the valvetrain is nice and quiet. All of this is in my 03 CRV. I like the Mobil 1 Extended Performance (easy to find at Walmart, saw some excellent used oil analysis, advertised 15,000 mile drain intervals) and may stick with it for a while. I think its a little expensive but I look at it as cheap insurance if it keeps my 150,000 mile CRV running to 500,000 miles.

 

[dailydriver]

How cold does it ever get when you take out the y body (or is it a year 'round daily driver like my LS1??)??

If not very, why not try STRAIGHT Mobil 1 0W-40, or the much suggested CATERHAM blend IF you can easily/cheaply get the TCMO 0W-20 to mix with the Mobil 1??

The very quietest oil I've ever had in my LS1 is the current fill, followed by the Amsoil Series 3000 5w30 (I never tried the GC, nor straight Mobil 1 0W-40).

But my current fill is about as 'boutique', exotic, hard to procure, and costly as one can get for streetable motor oil.

 

[147_Grain]

Originally Posted By: Kool1
I personally ran M1 years ago and my valvetrain sounded like a loud sewing machine. I haven't run M1 in years but am now using Mobil 1 Extended Performance and can say that the valvetrain is nice and quiet. All of this is in my 03 CRV. I like the Mobil 1 Extended Performance (easy to find at Walmart, saw some excellent used oil analysis, advertised 15,000 mile drain intervals) and may stick with it for a while. I think its a little expensive but I look at it as cheap insurance if it keeps my 150,000 mile CRV running to 500,000 miles.


Just curious as to why you believe Mobil 1 Extended Performance quieted your valvetrain so that it's nice and quiet?

 

[Zack1978]

Where can you buy German Castrol?