Why 0w-40 a3/b4
- Thread starter steve c
- Start date
Mobil 1 0W40 is actually cheaper at Walmart.
You can use what you want. Mobil 1 ESP 0w-40 is available at Walmart, I am not sure what the price difference would be, but I am sure it wouldn't be enough to matter economically. Mobil 1 ESP 0w-40 is a superior product over the Supertech, for maybe a few cents per quart more. Supertech will work fine, Mobil 1 will work finer! LOL! Take Care Steve C.
Your Walmart has it on the shelf or is it online?
My Walmart has it on the shelf.
School me. Why would mobil 1 be a "finer" choice then supertech? They both meet the same specs? I looked at the latest VOA's for both. Seems like supertech has a higer dose of zinc, which I thought was the premier anti-wear additive. And much higher calcium, a detergent?
I am not informed enough to school you; they may have some people here that could. For all I know, Supertech is superior to Amsoil Signature Series. Mobil 1 synthetics are the largest selling engine oils in the entire world, with second place being Castrol, which only means they have a good marketing team, I guess. I am not saying Supertech is not good, or even better. I do know, however, Charmin Ultra is a more pleasant bathroom experience than the Walmart brand toilet paper. They both meet the specs, and get the job done. You like your Supertech, use it, it will be fine, and maybe better than the best name brand oils out there. I don't know, this stuff I write is my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt. Take Care Steve C.
You, or your generator will never know the difference between the Mobil 1 or Supertech. I do like the A3/B4 or whatever the Euro specs are that require the HTHS value to be >3.5 on a 5w30 engine oil. Your engine could notice a difference there in a heavy load or overheat situation. Both the Mobil and Supertech we have been discussing here do have those specs I think. I know the Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 has the >3.5 HTHS, if the Supertech has the same specs., it is the same.
I would do Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 in the generator vs Mobil 1 0W40. Both are oils for turbo engines and both have HTHS of at least 3.5 cP. Just the first one is 12 cSt @100°C and the second one 13.8 cSt @100°C (higher viscosity/thicker oil) which will put unnecessary load on the small engine and increase its gas consumption.
Also the emissions of the 5W30 ESP will be better because is mid-SAPS vs full-SAPS of the 0W40.
Also the emissions of the 5W30 ESP will be better because is mid-SAPS vs full-SAPS of the 0W40.
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If your generator only holds 10oz of oil, you should be changing it about every 8-10 hours of runtime. 5 hours on a minimum-spec oil.
I used HPL in my mom’s generator that holds 1.7 quarts and even then they recommended 50 hour changes. That’s 5 times your oil capacity; hence shorten time of use by same ratio.
I just saw this post. The high quality synthetic doesn’t change your intervals. The engine lacks an oil filter, thus, the same 50 hour interval applies.
It’s true that a 0W40 would probably last longer before thermal breakdown than an ILSAC 10W30. Keep the intervals short.
I actually found Castrol Edge European 5w30 that's A3/B4 rated at Walmart today. It's the recommended grade with the higher ratings. $8/qt. I'll change it yearly. Running the 10w30 syn that came with generator for 25 hours break-in (per manual) then will get a yearly change of the Castrol.
I saw the stellar comments on the castrol used oil analysis threads.
I saw the stellar comments on the castrol used oil analysis threads.
Castrol Edge 5W30 A3/B4 is a great oil. It’s high ZDDP (zinc anti-wear) at around 1000 ppm, hence “only” SL since it’s above the Chemical limits for SN and SP, but it would easily pass the engine test requirements for the higher API grade.
It’s also Euro ACEA A3/B4, for long life, shear resistance, high HTHS and high SAPS. If you don’t have an exhaust catalyst, I prefer the high SAPS (sulphate ash level) of A3/B4 over the mid-SAPS C3.
It also has genuine BMW LL-01 and MB 229.5 approval. These are hard to get, and a real Mercedes Benz (MB) approval means it was tested by MB itself (independent of Castrol). If it passes it’s listed on the MB website as an approved oil. Very different than the untested “suitable for…” claims others use.
Great oil
HTHS >= 3.5 cP
TBN >= 10
Noack Volatility < 10%
ZDDP ~ 1000 ppm.
I use it often.
It’s also Euro ACEA A3/B4, for long life, shear resistance, high HTHS and high SAPS. If you don’t have an exhaust catalyst, I prefer the high SAPS (sulphate ash level) of A3/B4 over the mid-SAPS C3.
It also has genuine BMW LL-01 and MB 229.5 approval. These are hard to get, and a real Mercedes Benz (MB) approval means it was tested by MB itself (independent of Castrol). If it passes it’s listed on the MB website as an approved oil. Very different than the untested “suitable for…” claims others use.
Great oil
HTHS >= 3.5 cP
TBN >= 10
Noack Volatility < 10%
ZDDP ~ 1000 ppm.
I use it often.
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