Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic Oil
03-17-13, 11:55 AM
#1
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Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic Oil
Ever since I bought my car used I've always taken my is350 to the dealership for oil changes. Lexus of Tacoma in Fife is where I take my Lexus too. I don't like it there and the next nearest dealership to me is more than 20 miles away. So I wan to start doing oil changes my self. Is it bad to switch to fully synthetic now? My car currently have 46,xxx miles right now and is due for an oil change.
03-17-13, 06:06 PM
#7
I've used Mobil 1 for the last 2 oil changes with 5-7K between the changes and it's perfectly fine.
Last edited by knguyenk; 03-17-13 at 06:27 PM.
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03-17-13, 06:34 PM
#9
I just did some homework and it is a blend.
EDIT: Perusing Mobil 1's site, Mobil 1 claims their oil is put in the Lexus LFA when they are built at the factory.
Despite their name, most synthetic derived motor oils (ie Mobil 1, Castrol Formula RS etc) are actually derived from mineral oils - they are mostly Polyalphaolifins and these come from the purest part of the mineral oil refraction process, the gas. PAO oils will mix with normal mineral oils which means you can add synthetic to mineral, or mineral to synthetic without your engine seizing up (although I've heard Mobil 1 is actually made by reformulating ethanol).
Last edited by knguyenk; 03-17-13 at 06:45 PM. Reason: Adding more info.
03-18-13, 03:42 PM
#12
Depends on your definition of "synthetic", which becomes a "marketing term" according to the court after Castrol switch to hydrocracked group III base stock from PAO (the original synthetic from natural gas), and Mobil sue them for false advertisement (and lost). They are all either Group III or Group IV nowadays with very good performance (thinned when cold, thicken when warm, low contamination level, uniform in size).
I'd consider M1 to be more synthetic than others like Castrol or Valvoline, but some Group III like Pennzoil are amazingly good in their cleaning ability too, so I'd not buy oil based on who is "real synthetic" or not. My understanding is unless you are in extreme cold (i.e. -40C/F), Group III is good enough in performance, and the additives would matter more than whether the base is Group III or Group IV.
I'd consider M1 to be more synthetic than others like Castrol or Valvoline, but some Group III like Pennzoil are amazingly good in their cleaning ability too, so I'd not buy oil based on who is "real synthetic" or not. My understanding is unless you are in extreme cold (i.e. -40C/F), Group III is good enough in performance, and the additives would matter more than whether the base is Group III or Group IV.
Last edited by PandaBear; 03-18-13 at 03:45 PM.
03-18-13, 06:53 PM
#15
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I use 5w30 castrol edge titanium (advance auto parts had a buy 1 get 1 free sale) on my 08 is350 and my wife's 07 rav4 V6 which has 107k and runs like a champ ( does regular transmission flushes) except for the VVTI oil hose break (lucky to see the puddle of oil)