Mobile 1 Synthetic oil Question?

[01GMC4.8]

Hi guys!

 

I am considering switching from Pennzoil 5w-30 synthetic oil blend to Mobile 1. I can no longer seem to find the Pennzoil 5w-30 synthetic oil blend anywhere in my area. From reading the posts concerning oil, it seems that everyone has only good things to say about Mobile 1 synthetic oil. My question is by going to a full synthetic oil should I switch from 5w-30 to 10w-30 grade on my 4.8L? What do you recommend?

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Black02Silverado]

Just run the 5w-30 Mobil 1 year round. It is a good quality oil and has a great track record on the Used Oil Analysis section on BOBISTHEOILGUY.COM site. The added benefit is it is easy to get at Wally world in 5 quart containers at a good price.

 

You could go with 10w-30 but if you read all the used oil analysis's on bobs site they are very similiar and you get the added benefit of better economy with the 5w-30, it is a small benefit but at least it is there.

[gunslinger45]

First I would see what weight oil your manual recommends and stick with that. Lots of people try to second guess the manufacturer. From a common sense perspective, and being an engineer I would put my faith in the designer and manufacturer knowing what oil is best. However, if you do live in some extreme environment like northern Alaska or something, then ya it may make sense to use a lower weight oil. Synthetic oil may have different properties than dino poop, but I wouldn't say the weight ratings are all that different. I too use and swear by Mobil 1. If you cannot find any info as to what weight oil to use, I would default to synthetic 5W30 because you get the benefit of better low temperature flow (startup), the ability to get into a little tighter tolerances (not sure of the age of your engine), and with synthetic you get the higher temperature protection with a lower weight oil which would normally be covered by the dino heavier oil. I think the only thing that would make me recommend synthetic 10W30 to you would be if you live in a very, very hot environment and/or you have an older or high mileage (say greater than 70K mi). Just my humble opinion though. Bottom line, using Mobil 1 synthetic in either 5W30 or 10W30, you are probably going to be just fine.

 

Gunslinger

[JayMan]

I live in a part of the country where winter can get to -42 F and summer can get to +95 F. There is a Cold Weather Test Track here that car makers from all over the world use to test cold start, ABS performance and Traction Control on ice, etc. You can find some neat and odd foreign cars at the local diners.

 

Due to the extreme temps, I use Mobil 1 0W-30 in winter (Nov to Mar) and Mobil 1 10W-30 the rest of the year. The HTHS of Mobil 1 10W-30 is better than their M1 5W-30. Amsoil products have superior HTHS ratings.

 

My Owner's Manual recommends either 5W-30 OR 10W-30, depending on the temps. For extreme cold (Colder than -20 F) my manual recommends a synthetic 0W-30.

 

I would be ok with either Amsoil or M1, as both are superior oils. Added benefit you don't have to change the oil as often, so it's CHEAPER to use a full synthetic.

[01GMC4.8]

Thanks for the info!!!!

[LogixRat]

 

Never have liked Pennz, and don't suppose I ever will. The M1 oil gets good reports both on this forum and BITOG forum. But I think the more technical oil guru's like AMSOIL the best. Personally I'm still running dino oil, so I can't make a fair comparison. But I have been thinking of going synthetic and will likely try AMSOIL first.

 

I think the only thing that would make me recommend synthetic 10W30 to you would be if you live in a very, very hot environment and/or you have an older or high mileage (say greater than 70K mi). Just my humble opinion though.

 

Ever been to Oklahoma in July or August? That's about the time of the year when people start dropping dead walking from their cars to the store. Truly, the best parking spots are determined by shade trees!! Not uncommon to see 100+ temps, and REALLY HIGH humidity. This warrant a different weight?

[Black02Silverado]

Ever been to Oklahoma in July or August? That's about the time of the year when people start dropping dead walking from their cars to the store. Truly, the best parking spots are determined by shade trees!! Not uncommon to see 100+ temps, and REALLY HIGH humidity. This warrant a different weight?

You can run 5w-30 year round if you want to. You can look at it like this. It is 110 degrees out, but does your vehicles operating temp go past 210 degrees. It might seem better to run a higher weight oil but then you have to look at just because the air temp is hot does not mean you vehicle automatically runs hotter. That is what the thermostat is for. If it did then you would have overheating problems every time it got hot out. Sticking with what the owners manual says to use is always the best to follow.

 

I run AMSOIL Series 2K 0w-30 year round and have spent a month in the dead heat of the florida summer. The advantage of synthetic is it's great resistance to heat. Now did I need to run 0w-30, not really, but when your vehicle gets up to operating temps then xw-30 is just that a 30 weight. The added benefit is being a 0w even in the hot south. I get better flow on start up and that equals better protection due to the oils flow characteristics not to mention the possibility of better mpg. A 10w-30 would be just fine but then again if the protection is the same at operating temperatures then, for me to switch from on grade to another isn't worth it IMHO.

 

I'm on BITOG.com alot and have read up on a ton of used oil analysis's from all over and the posts on the 0 and 5w-30 synthetics do really well and are = to or even better than the 10w-30 results, at least from what I have read.

 

The AMSOIL Series 2K is their Racing oil along with their Series 2K 20w-50. Mobil 1 is just now getting ready to release their Racing oil. It will be interesting to see how well it does over their regular Mobil1 oils. Just have to wait till it hits the market and see the results posted on BITOG.com Being an oil nut and have been running AMSOIL in my vehicles, I'm going to try some of the new Racing Mobil 1 and see how much my used oil analysis changes, if any.

 

If you don't like the idea of running a 0 or 5w-30 weight year round and feel better switching from season to season then great. There are a ton of individuals on BITOG.com that switch from summer to winter. Gather information and go with what feels best. As stated above by gunslinger45, the makers of these vehilces post in the owners manual what they feel is best.

 

Being an AMSOIL dealer it is what I use. I also like the idea of it getting it delivered to my door via UPS. Being an oil nut, my supply of oil will outlast me. Heck before I started with AMSOIL I had a nice supply of oil stashed out in the garage, along with filters.

 

Disclaimer: The above posted statement is the sole opinion of Black02Silverado and is in no way backed buy super technologically advanced research but is only backed by his own personnel experience and seat of the pant performance, as well as it is just plain what he feels works well for him, from the undo influences of BITOG.com and other unannounced sources that he is has no obligation to claim rights to. One should take all the information above with a grain of salt, pepper, sand or what ever else relates to a grain. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!

[Bish]

I run 5w30 in summer and 0w30 in winter. Also will run 0w30 in summer if it is what I have.

 

Down side///Walmart used to have the 5qt containers of Mobil 1 a few times a year for $15. Now the ones near me (Chicagoland) have started stocking it normally and it runs $20. No longer that great of a deal considering the 6-pack of qts is $26. Gonna have to keep my eyes open for any sales.

[RyanbabZ71]

BISH they just started the 5qt jugs here in NW indiana. They were like $18 and now they jumped to like $22. A heads up for you costco has a 6 pack (6 qts) for like $23. Dont know if they have any by you or not

[RyanZ71]

BISH they just started the 5qt jugs here in NW indiana. They were like $18 and now they jumped to like $22. A heads up for you costco has a 6 pack (6 qts) for like $23. Dont know if they have any by you or not

Ryan, thanks for the heads up regarding Costco, I will stop by the one here and see if they have Mobil 1 for sale there.

[99silveradoz71]

BISH they just started the 5qt jugs here in NW indiana. They were like $18 and now they jumped to like $22. A heads up for you costco has a 6 pack (6 qts) for like $23. Dont know if they have any by you or not

Walmart had the 5qt jugs the last time I was in there(Cleveland area), but it wasn't a bargain. I have been getting my M1 at Costco. However, today, we ended up at BJ's and they had the 6qt cases for $22. Advanced Auto claimed to have it on sale the other day when I was there, but I believe they wanted $26 for the same case. Do your homework

[foghorn23]

Found Mobil 1 5W-30 and 10W-30 in Winston-Salem, NC at Target for $3.54 a quart. It was the best price I'd found in a while.

 

Vroten

[Black02Silverado]

I was just at the Wal-Mart in Goldsboro NC and they still had the 5qt jug for $18. That is a deal if you can still find it. I have noticed Auto Zone here as well will run specials.

[Bish]

BISH they just started the 5qt jugs here in NW indiana. They were like $18 and now they jumped to like $22. A heads up for you costco has a 6 pack (6 qts) for like $23. Dont know if they have any by you or not

Just saw that at our Costco too. That's what got me thinking the 5 Qt's are not a great deal anymore. Looks like I'll be doing the 6 pack route. Good news is, they appear to be regularly stocked at Costco (at least according to the guy I spoke with). Bad news is 1) Still more expensive than the 5 qts used to be and 2) minor hassle opening 6 containers versus 2. I also like to use the 5qt container for the used oil. I just wish I had a 5 qt capacity or it was a 6 qt jug Yeah, I'm lazy...any time/hassle shortcut is good. Besides, I've been changing oil every 4-6 weeks so the quicker the better.