Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Oils?

[cghbuilder86]

All these years I have been using Castrol conventional motor oil and have liked it pretty good. But lately I've been hearing so much about the synthetic oils I think they are probably superior and have about decided to make the switch. I was looking on the mobil 1 website and just doing some research when I ran across their Advanced Fuel Economy oils. It comes in a 0W-30. Does this make any since. What would be the difference in a 0W-30, 5W-30, and 10W30? I always used 10W-30. Didn't think it mattered if it was 5 or 10 as long as it was 30? I'm always happy to save on gas even if it is minimal...but would 0W-30 offer just as much protection? Because that is the most important thing ultimately.

[txab]

Ran across this long post yesterday about oil, might be worth reading.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=92486

 

 

Search of the site:

 

http://www.google.com/search?q=mobil+1+0w-...amp;safe=images

[dlstewart01]

Don't worry about the 0 being too thin....

0w, 5w, 10w, etc.is not weight but an somewhat arbitrary rating based on the oil low temperature flow and pumping characteristics - SAE J300 (1999) Motor Oil Grades- Low Temperature Specifications. I say somewhat arbitrary in that an oil that meets the 0w standard can be rated 5w or 10w because of the myth that "W" means weight ( it means winter) and 95-99% of the folks that recommend/sale/change oil believe this myth. We'll all heard "I would not use a 0 weight oil in your car.".

 

http://mysite.verizon.net/oldhokie/windyridge/oil.pdf

 

I just looked them up on Mobil 1s website. 5W30 is just slightly thicker than 0W30 at operating temp but not enough to make a difference.

 

API allows a range in each weight so two 30 weights can vary some.

 

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/cms/index.ph...8&Itemid=55

[dewfpo]

At operating temps, a 30W oil from the same manufacturer and same line of oils should be of similar viscosity at 100C or 212F whether it's a 0W30, 5W30 or a 10W30. That being said, a 0W30 will flow to all the parts faster than s 5W or 10W oil. In a very cold climate 0W oils are much better than 10W or even 5W based on my real world tests. I have done plenty of research in the area and have switched all my vehicles to either 0W30 or 0W40. It's the best of both worlds. I deal with 100+ in the summer and -20F in the winter. I use the same oil all seasons. It flows very easily at startup (and yes, even a 70F day is a cold start to a motor that operates at 205F) and provides great protection in high temps.

 

DEWFPO

[cghbuilder86]

hmm, I'm finding some of this a little confusing. Basically the 0W-30 would not be thinner than a 5 or 10W -30 it would just flow better/quicker? Winters aren't really that cold here. Usually does not get lower than 0 F. Maybe slightly occasionally at night.

If the 0W-30 advanced fuel economy and 5W-30 standard are almost the same thickness does that mean that the Advanced fuel economy is more of a marketing thing and there would basically be no difference in milage between these two?

[dewfpo]

A 0W would be thinner at 0C or 32F than a 5W or 10W at the same temp, but at operating temps (~212F) they would be almost the same. So IMO, your doing your engine a favor by going to a 0W oil.

 

I can't speak to the marketing strategy with all the different labels on the M1 products nowadays.

 

I use full synthetic 0W30 or 0W40 depending on the application I have. I've been doing this for several years and am very happy with the 0W and 5W performance. Before 0W oils were readily available I was using 5W oils and of course before that 10W oils. I've been using a variety of synthetics oils/lubes on a wide variety of autos, trucks and equipment (gasoline and diesel) since 1984.

 

I hope this makes sense.

 

DEWFPO

[Zembonez]

Can't see where any fuel economy gains are to be had here. Once the oil is warm it's as thick as the OEM fill.

[mxdirtrider56]

Not gunna gain any noticable fuel economy from switching your motor oil. Run a 5W-30 or 10W-30 and you will be fine. I run GM 10W-30 from the dealership and have for over 100,000 miles (ran 5W-30 until recently) on my 05. She purrs like a dang ol' kitten.

[Z45]

The fuel economy gains will be while the engine is warming up, less drag on engine parts. The lower the W number, the lower friction within the oil. I have been using nothing but 0W-30 synthetic since AMSOIL first came out with it circa 1996.

 

If you want the most fuel efficient grade for a GM vehicle, 0W-30 is it. Mileage gains might be small, 0.1, 0.3 for instance but over time it will mean lower operating costs. Those are proven facts, low viscosity oils save fuel.

[cghbuilder86]

Alrighty, it seems pretty clear now. I have noticed my mileage is always less while the vehicle is warming up. I just didn't think it would make since to see a very noticeable difference in switching the oil to a 0W-30. I'll probably just stick with 5W.