Oil Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 707
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From: Fuquay Varina North Carolina
Oil Question
I have always used Mobil One..I was just wondering is there any difference from the other synthetic oils? IE: Castrol. Valvoline, etc., seems most major manufacturers make a synthetic
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 746
Several car guys in my circles prefer Castrol over other oils. But I prefer Mobil One because that's what Chevy uses as the factory fill oil for Corvettes. A rep in the parts department of a Honda dealership told me Honda's oil is made by Mobil. -- Eric
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Yes, there is a difference. There are all kinds of different processes, chemicals, additives, etc. One question that I'd ask is: is one better than the other and by how much, if at all? And that's a tougher question.
If you want to go 200K miles, chances are good many of the synthetics will take you there, assuming other things don't go wrong. Castrol, even before it was a syn, was preferred by many. Some will say Pennz and Quake, Kend, etc. are no longer good oils. And then there are the special oils from Ams and Royal, etc.
I'm with Mobil One. I can't see it as being anything less than excellent, and I've been using it for a long time in several cars. It, too, has evolved over the years it's been around. One car I used it with went over 175K miles and was still an incredibly strong engine when sold. Then again, it was an incredibly well built engine even when I bought it new.
PS I think this is true (marketing naysayers weigh in): I believe the first two car mfrs. to use synthetic oil from the factory in this country were Porsche and Corvette. And the oil they used was: Mobil One.
If you want to go 200K miles, chances are good many of the synthetics will take you there, assuming other things don't go wrong. Castrol, even before it was a syn, was preferred by many. Some will say Pennz and Quake, Kend, etc. are no longer good oils. And then there are the special oils from Ams and Royal, etc.
I'm with Mobil One. I can't see it as being anything less than excellent, and I've been using it for a long time in several cars. It, too, has evolved over the years it's been around. One car I used it with went over 175K miles and was still an incredibly strong engine when sold. Then again, it was an incredibly well built engine even when I bought it new.
PS I think this is true (marketing naysayers weigh in): I believe the first two car mfrs. to use synthetic oil from the factory in this country were Porsche and Corvette. And the oil they used was: Mobil One.
Last edited by AORoads; Feb 3, 2006 at 10:40 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I've used many different brands of oils, mostly Pennzoil, Castrol, Valvoline, etc. In all the cars i've worked on, I personally have found Castrol oils to work the best. The engine runs smoother and doesnt burn off as quick. I have yet to change the oil in my Vette (just got it a week ago) but i'm going to use 10w-30 Castrol GTX synthetic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Yes, there is a difference. There are all kinds of different processes, chemicals, additives, etc. One question that I'd ask is: is one better than the other and by how much, if at all? And that's a tougher question.
If you want to go 200K miles, chances are good many of the synthetics will take you there, assuming other things don't go wrong. Castrol, even before it was a syn, was preferred by many. Some will say Pennz and Quake, Kend, etc. are no longer good oils. And then there are the special oils from Ams and Royal, etc.
I'm with Mobil One. I can't see it as being anything less than excellent, and I've been using it for a long time in several cars. It, too, has evolved over the years it's been around. One car I used it with went over 175K miles and was still an incredibly strong engine when sold. Then again, it was an incredibly well built engine even when I bought it new.
PS I think this is true (marketing naysayers weigh in): I believe the first two car mfrs. to use synthetic oil from the factory in this country were Porsche and Corvette. And the oil they used was: Mobil One.
If you want to go 200K miles, chances are good many of the synthetics will take you there, assuming other things don't go wrong. Castrol, even before it was a syn, was preferred by many. Some will say Pennz and Quake, Kend, etc. are no longer good oils. And then there are the special oils from Ams and Royal, etc.
I'm with Mobil One. I can't see it as being anything less than excellent, and I've been using it for a long time in several cars. It, too, has evolved over the years it's been around. One car I used it with went over 175K miles and was still an incredibly strong engine when sold. Then again, it was an incredibly well built engine even when I bought it new.
PS I think this is true (marketing naysayers weigh in): I believe the first two car mfrs. to use synthetic oil from the factory in this country were Porsche and Corvette. And the oil they used was: Mobil One.
I used Mobil One exclusively in a high performance turbocharged car I once owned. When I sold it after more than 150K the motor was untouched, other than timing belts, a WP and tune ups. It still ran great, it had the original turbo and it still produced full boost/power. That made me a believer in Mobil One. Mobil One is factory fill for my Vette and I'm fully satisfied its a great motor oil. This doesn't take away anything from the other syn motor oils on the market. Run what you like. Mobil One has worked well for me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 757
Likes: 2
From: Orlando Fl
Bought a case of Mobil 1 (6 bottles) for $27. Good price? My Volvo tech told me that synthetic doesn't suspend dirt,particles, as good as regular oils. It kinda makes since because I've never seen a synthetic oil that was dirty. I also like to run a thicker oil since it breaks down to a thinner viscosity after only a few days. Castrol 20/50w has been my choice. I'll still run the Mobil 1 in the vette though.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Yes there is a difference. Each of the manufacturers has an additives package specially created to meet the performance postion they want for their oil.
I personally prefer Shell lubricants, because of their focus on quality and performance, but they are often harder to find, so I settle for Mobil 1
Shell now owns Pennzoil and Quaker State. I am very comfortable with those products as well.
In the end it is all about a Brand you trust, in a grade that meets the specs for your car, that is suited for where and how you drive it.
I personally prefer Shell lubricants, because of their focus on quality and performance, but they are often harder to find, so I settle for Mobil 1
Shell now owns Pennzoil and Quaker State. I am very comfortable with those products as well.
In the end it is all about a Brand you trust, in a grade that meets the specs for your car, that is suited for where and how you drive it.
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