Torn.....Soooo Torn......

[ajwan]

OK guys, I'm like you all, an oil nut. I've got 15100 km on my current run of Esso XD-3 0w-30 and fast approaching my planned change at 16000km. As good as this oil is, I'm considering blending XD-3 0w-30 50:50 with another oil for two reasons: 1) I have experienced a noticable and consistent increase in fuel consumption, from 650 km/50 L on Mobil1 5w-30 (yes, 5w-30), to 600 km/50 L on Esso XD-3 0w-30, on average. Several of my friends who also use Esso XD-3 0w-30 can verify this observation. I know that the XD-3 (cSt @ 100º C = 12.1) is a thicker oil than the Mobil1 5w-30 (cSt @ 100º C = 11.3) at operating temps, so this is probably a factor. 2) The other reason I'd like to have an XD-3 component in my next oil interval is the oil consumption issue with the Mobil1. My car drank 1.5 L of the Mobil1 5w-30 on a previous interval, and virtually none of the Esso XD-3 0w-30, after 15000km!!!! UOA from the previous interval (Esso XD-3 0w-30 10500km) is available in the UOA section. Just look for the Acura RSX Type-S. 3) The final reason I'd like to have an XD-3 component is its very robust additive package. As such, I'm considering blending XD-3 0w-30 50:50 with another oil. The candidate I've been considering is Mobil1 0w-30. However, I noticed that Mobil1 is pricing up their product, without necessarily any significant improvement to the oil. That being said, I'm also considering Penzoil Platinum 5w-30 as a blending oil, especially since it appears to be a great product at a fair price. Also a possiblity is to just scrap the blending altogether and just go with Penzoil Plantinum 5w-30. Please help me decide as I'm soooooooooooooooooooo confused. Thanks, AJW PS: Here's some specs: Mobil 1 0w-30 SAE Grade0W-30 Viscosity, ASTM D 445 cSt @ 40ºC 56 cSt @ 100ºC 10.3 Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 175 Sulfated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 1.2 HTHS Viscosity, mPa-s @ 150ºC, ASTM D 4683 2.99 Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 -54 Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 234 Density @ 15ºC kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.851 Mobil 1 5W-30 SAE Grade 5W-30 Viscosity, ASTM D 445 cSt @ 40º C 64.8 cSt @ 100º C 11.3 Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 169 Sulfated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 1.0 HTHS Viscosity, mPa·s @ 150ºC ASTM D 4683 3.09 Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 -54 Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 230 Density @15º C kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.80 Esso XD-3 Synthetic 0W-40 0W-30 Density kg/m3 851 850 Kinematic Viscosity, cSt @ 40°C 94.5 71 @ 100°C 15.7 12.1 Viscosity Index 178 168 Pour Point, °C -48 -48 Flash Point, COC, °C 224 226 TAN (D 664) 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 TBN (D 2896) 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 Sulphated Ash, wt. % 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Pennzoil Platinum Viscosity Grade. 5W-30 API Service SM/CF ILSAC GF-4 Gravity, °API ASTM D-287 341 Specific Gravity @ 60°F(15.6°C) ASTM D-287 0.854 Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt ASTM D-445 59.66 @ 100°C, cSt ASTM D-445 10.52 Viscosity Index ASTM D-2270 167 Flash Point , °C ASTM D-93 224 Pour Point, °C ASTM D-97 -45

 

[Schmoe]

If your hypothesis is correct regarding oil consumption, then blending with M1 will only decrease consumption by the percentage of M1 in the blend. You never said what kind of engine or car this is. But, according to your regimen, your either going to have oil consumption or slightly worse gas mileage from using one or the other. Maybe try PP and see if that could give you the best of both worlds.

 

[ajwan]

quote:

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If your hypothesis is correct regarding oil consumption, then blending with M1 will only decrease consumption by the percentage of M1 in the blend. You never said what kind of engine or car this is. But, according to your regimen, your either going to have oil consumption or slightly worse gas mileage from using one or the other. Maybe try PP and see if that could give you the best of both worlds.

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I drive a 2002 Acura RSX Type-S (K20A2) 30:70 highway:city. I definitely do not hesitate running it at high RPMs (only on the highway ). OK....chalk one up for running PP entirely. Any others out there? AJW

 

[boone88rr]

What price does the XD run at? My vote is for the PP. Possibly a 50/50 of the XD and the PP.

 

[ekpolk]

DELETED. Ajwan was posting more info at the same time I was asking for it. Mods, please remove if you get the chance. Thanks.

 

[ajwan]

OK...I just checked the local distributor and she quoted me $57.72 CDN per 12 x 1 L flat ($4.81/L). Pennzoil goes for $6.84 CDN while M1 5w-30 goes for $8.20 CDN, both at Walmart, possibly more for the 0w-30 grade. You can see why I'd like to steer away from M1!

 

[m2200b]

If you've already tried 0-30 esso and m1 then try PP 5-30. Why would you mix PP with either of the others and make it harder to tell what is either helping or hurting gas mileage and consumption. I don't think SOPUS even recommends mixing PP even in its own family of oils.

 

[Titan]

Personally, I save mixing of oils for my lawnmower. I ran GC in a 2.5 Subaru, liked it fine. Switched to PP for an interval, and like it fine so far...new PP is quieter than old GC in my car. But, I don't believe quietness means anything significant. The Castrol people specifically told me NOT to mix any of their other oils with GC...either green or gold. This Castrol person said the chemistries of these oils are TOO different to go mixing even with other Castrol Syntec oils. Don't know if this was a Janitor or Engineer at Syntec, all I know is it was the answer I got from them when I emailed them. Mixing may be fine, but, I don't do it.

 

[427Z06]

Try straight PP 5w30. Maybe even PP 10w30 for the summer months.

 

[m2200b]

8% difference in fuel economy - not a chance. Sounds more like a winter compared to summer difference or some other change in driving or the car itself. Another to consider would be lower mileage at the end of too long OCI on ESSO as mpg goes down if your oil is thickening up.

 

[ajwan]

quote:

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Another to consider would be lower mileage at the end of too long OCI on ESSO as mpg goes down if your oil is thickening up.

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It is possible that this oil is approaching the end of its life. I am leaning towards PP 5w-30. Thinking about it, it makes more sense considering that I now live in Vancouver, BC. I moved to Vancouver from Ottawa back in May 2005. I suppose that 0w-30 oil isn't as crucial for me here.

 

[ajwan]

I mean, going with PP entirely and not blending.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

quote:

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Originally posted by 427Z06: Try straight PP 5w30. Maybe even PP 10w30 for the summer months.

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I will 2nd the Pennzoil Platinum recomendation. Blending two different synthetic brands can shorten oil life. Always stay "in-house" when blending for best results.

 

[ajwan]

OK, I'm sold. Considering the price points of the oils, availability, and quality, PP seems to be the one on top. I'll be changing over the weekend! The price differential between PP and M1 is just to large to ignore. Thanks y'all! AJW

 

[m2200b]

That PP is $4 USD at WM over the border if you are going anyway.