Turbos Vs Mobil ESP or Mobil EP (0w-20)

[buster]

I don't put a whole lot of faith in Mobil 1's website but according to them and when comparing it appears that Mobil 1 ESP x2 excels over Mobil 1 EP 0W-20 oils in most everything except Dexos 1 Gen3 (not listing that license) and a longer oil change rating (15K/20K) reading their "star ratings"...

I am trying to decide which oil to use in my 2025 Subaru Outback 2.4T that will never tow but is a boxer design, GDI and has a turbocharger...

Bill

They're tested against different specifications so it's a bit hard to compare.

All of the Mobil 1 oils are great for turbo's. Turbo protection comes from great oxidation resistance and deposit protection. That's a quality that all Mobil 1 line has, not just Euro. The testing is different. Beyond that, the EP oils are formulated to greatly exceed the API/dexos specs.

Sequence IIIH

 

[Glenda W.]

I don't put a whole lot of faith in Mobil 1's website but according to them and when comparing it appears that Mobil 1 ESP x2 excels over Mobil 1 EP 0W-20 oils in most everything except Dexos 1 Gen3 (not listing that license) and a longer oil change rating (15K/20K) reading their "star ratings"...

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/what-to-buy/find-the-right-motor-oil/product-comparison?p1={EC8E7A22-C4C8-40EF-A540-7B24889119B1}&p2={EDF186C0-1C22-41E6-AF5F-B3668F185E8B}&ReturnUrl=https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/what-to-buy/find-the-right-motor-oil/product-recommendations?query=api/v1/en-US/motorpvl/recommendation/13226/105812/0-2025/Subaru/Outback

I am trying to decide which oil to use in my 2025 Subaru Outback 2.4T that will never tow but is a boxer design, GDI and has a turbocharger...

Bill

If I absolutely had to use a 0w20 in my Subies it would be the ESP 0w20. But I highly recommend ESP 0w30. These engines are happy on a 30 grade.

 

[silversport]

thanks...I really appreciate it...I'm not new to turbocharged engines but am to the boxer engine and Subarus in particular although many friends and family have them since about 2014 and have not reported any issues with theirs...

I used Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 in my departed Cadillac V-Sport (twin turbos) without issue and was happy with that car's performance and my OCIs...GF's 2013 Malibu 2.0T LTG (single turbo) has used mostly Mobil 1 vanilla in 5W-30 without issue in the last 12 years although I recently made the switch to Quaker State Full Synthetic after Mobil quit offering rebates and I found some deals on what has been reported on this Forum as quality oils...

I haven't yet done my Subarus first oil change and am on the fence about using 0W-30 rather than 0W-20 but I appreciate you sharing your experience Glenda...

Bill

 

[Glenda W.]

thanks...I really appreciate it...I'm not new to Turbocharged engines but am to the boxer engine and Subarus in particular although many friends and family have them since about 2014 and have not reported any issues with theirs...

I used Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 in my departed Cadillac V-Sport (twin turbos) without issue and was happy with that car's performance and my OCIs...

Bill

They really are great cars!! Especially if you need awd. I’ve had many go over 200k with nothing but routine service. Subie owners know the boxer is not a particularly quiet or smooth engine but you will notice a difference with a 30 grade I promise you. My 2013 Forester was my last Subaru owners manual not overly influenced by CAFE. The oil recommendations at that time were 0w20, 5w30, and 5w40. Before then it was 5w30 and 5w40 which I believe still holds true today.

 

[Cujet]

If I had a turbocharged car, especially one that I was going to drive hard, I would definitely choose an oil with a higher HTHS over the factory fill. Case in point, if I had a GR Corolla (which has a 1.6L 300 hp turbo 3 cylinder) there’s no way I would run it on the average 0w20, which would have only a 2.6-2.7 HTHS. I would want a minimum of 3.0 if it was still completely stock and as soon as I got it tuned with more boost I would want an oil with about a 3.5 HTHS.

This is the correct answer. This is why:
Oil related engine failures happen today. With more frequency than we'd like to admit. In just about every case, it is related to high temperatures, long OCI's and low viscosity.

0W-20 and high loads:

 

[Patman]

They really are great cars!! Especially if you need awd. I’ve had many go over 200k with nothing but routine service. Subie owners know the boxer is not a particularly quiet or smooth engine

My son has two Subies (2002 WRX and 98 Forester) and both of them have aftermarket exhaust and I can always hear when he arrives for a visit even though my condo is on the third floor The WRX is almost at 400,000 km and is still all original engine, transmission, turbo, it’s never had a head gasket issue either! I believe the Forester has around 300,000 km on it. He has had good luck with his Subies (even the 03 Forester he had a couple of years ago) and he has been able to do a lot of repairs himself and the parts aren’t too expensive. And no, he doesn’t vape

 

[Hohn]

Always MB229.5X approval for turbo or high stressed engines.
Oxidation resistance
Stay in grade requirements
HTHS
OCI.

I use Castrol Edge 0W30 in Sequoia and that is not even high stressed engines or turbo. But at 4,000rpm there is no sound of valve train like it wants to depart head. Which was the case with 0W20.

Many oils that list MB229.5 do not list 229.51. Is it accurate to say that 229.51 is the newer variant of the same basic 229.5 spec?

I'm not versed on MB specs or really much of the Euro specs at all in terms of supercession.

 

[edyvw]

Many oils that list MB229.5 do not list 229.51. Is it accurate to say that 229.51 is the newer variant of the same basic 229.5 spec?

I'm not versed on MB specs or really much of the Euro specs at all in terms of supercession.

No. They are not interchangeable. Both current.
MB229.5: high SAPS oil. Not suitable for DPF/GPF.
MB229.51/52: Low SAPS: suitable for DPF/GPF latest emission equipment.


Common characteristics:
1. Minimum HTHS: 3.5cP
2 Noack: Max 10% (API SP 13%).
3. Stay in grade requirement.

MB229.52 is updated MB229.51. It includes LSPI test and has higher cold performance requirements.