Yet another oil question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
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From: Livonia MI
Yet another oil question
As a C-5 Vette owner, I use the recommended Mobil One 5W-30 at conservitave change intervals. To make things simple, I use it in my other cars as well. Castrol has been marketing their Syntec 5W-50 for good low temperature oil flow qualities, with better high temperature film strength than lower viscosity oils. Both Mobil One and Syntec are excellent motor oils. Anyone have experiance with the Syntec 5W-50.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
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From: Montoursville Pa
Castrol isn't a true synthetic it's made from good old dino oil they won a ftc arbitration suit (show how smart arbitrators are) to allow them to market it as such. It really isn't as good as mobile1
stick with the good stuff, Mobile1, redline, royal purple
stick with the good stuff, Mobile1, redline, royal purple
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Originally Posted by ErnieN85
Castrol isn't a true synthetic it's made from good old dino oil they won a ftc arbitration suit (show how smart arbitrators are) to allow them to market it as such. It really isn't as good as mobile1
stick with the good stuff, Mobile1, redline, royal purple
stick with the good stuff, Mobile1, redline, royal purple
Love Syntac 10-30 summer, 5-30 8 months of the Year
Mobil One burns, easy doesn't work for me, Chech the amsoil
Oil tests Syntac rates higher than Mobil -One. I don't go by,that
any way. Castrol is as much as synthetic as Mobil-One is,
Phoneys were trying to sue when they were doing the same thing.
Castrol's a great Oil, U can run the **** out of it,400,000
since 93 1, lt-1 2, ls1 1,-ls-6 .
Never burns, Never a Failure
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
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From: Bergerac Dordogne
I don't know about the specific Castrol oil you are referring to, but I have in the past seen disparaging and completely untrue slurs against Castrol products on the forum (like, for example, they are a 'marketing company' when they are one of the oldest lubrication oil companies in the world).
I use Magnatec 5w30 in my C5, and this is a fully synthetic oil. I can't prove it, but the car seems quicker to me and there is no oil loss/use between 10k oil changes.
I also use the Castrol diesel equivalent in my family car. Three weeks ago we suffered a smashed sump on the autoroute and athough we ran for more than 150kms before the oil warning light came on there was no damage whatsoever to the engine internals.
This said, you absolutely will never have a problem if you keep on using Mobil 1 or any other respected brand of oil that is synthetic and meets a minimum of 5w30. If you live somewhere with extreme temperature ranges then a 0w30 or 0w40 might very well be marginally better for you.
Happy motoring.
Here's Castrol's short briefing on synthetic oils.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6003233
and on the oil I use:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/produ...tentId=6008780
I use Magnatec 5w30 in my C5, and this is a fully synthetic oil. I can't prove it, but the car seems quicker to me and there is no oil loss/use between 10k oil changes.
I also use the Castrol diesel equivalent in my family car. Three weeks ago we suffered a smashed sump on the autoroute and athough we ran for more than 150kms before the oil warning light came on there was no damage whatsoever to the engine internals.
This said, you absolutely will never have a problem if you keep on using Mobil 1 or any other respected brand of oil that is synthetic and meets a minimum of 5w30. If you live somewhere with extreme temperature ranges then a 0w30 or 0w40 might very well be marginally better for you.
Happy motoring.
Here's Castrol's short briefing on synthetic oils.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6003233
and on the oil I use:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/produ...tentId=6008780
Last edited by Cochemarman; Mar 25, 2005 at 02:47 AM. Reason: additional castrol link
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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Castrol Syntec is approved for use in Corvettes (all viscosities except 5W-20 and 0W-30).
Here:
"SAE xW-xx is the most recommended grade in today's new cars. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer's warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API SM, SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended. Exceeds European ACEA: A1, A5,
B1, B5, Corvette GM 4718M, GM 6094M, Ford WSS M2C929-A and all requirements of ILSAC GF-4 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards.
Here's the link:
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
Here:
"SAE xW-xx is the most recommended grade in today's new cars. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer's warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API SM, SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended. Exceeds European ACEA: A1, A5,
B1, B5, Corvette GM 4718M, GM 6094M, Ford WSS M2C929-A and all requirements of ILSAC GF-4 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards.
Here's the link:
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I am using the Castrol 0W-30 made in Germany. The high temp viscosity is much better than Mobil-1 and the used oil analyses from this oil have been absolutely stellar, especially in the LS-1. Meets BMW, Mercedes and other European standards. Now running it in all my cars.
If you read the service manual, an oil meeting ACEA A3 standards can be used in place of GM 4718M. By the way, Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3 and the German made Castrol 0W-30 does.
If you read the service manual, an oil meeting ACEA A3 standards can be used in place of GM 4718M. By the way, Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3 and the German made Castrol 0W-30 does.
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As long as it meets GM specs for the car, then it should be good to use. Castrol has been around a long time so they must have a decent product.
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Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
5w50 is far too thick to use in the LS1, Castrol's German made 0w30 is a much better choice, and it's Castrol's only full synthetic sold in North America. The rest of their lineup uses a hydrocracked petroleum base oil, and isn't really able to handle long drain intervals. It isn't something I'd recommend using beyond 5 or 6000 miles for instance. But the German 0w30 will go beyond that quite easily. My last interval with it was 6100 miles and my oil analysis showed lots of life left in the oil (and virtually no contamination, which proves long drain intervals are definitely possible in these cars, so the oil life monitor can definitely be trusted over the silly 3000 mile standard which so many people still follow)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 922
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From: Lexington KY
I used to use Syntek before they changed the formula. Now i use Mobil. The only reason you can call Syntek a synthetic oil is because a judge says you can. You want to hear a story about an emperor and his new clothes? It may be great oil but if you call it synthetic your only fooling yourself. Repeat to yourself "these aren't the droids you are looking for." 
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by bozo4onion
I used to use Syntek before they changed the formula. Now i use Mobil. The only reason you can call Syntek a synthetic oil is because a judge says you can. You want to hear a story about an emperor and his new clothes? It may be great oil but if you call it synthetic your only fooling yourself. Repeat to yourself "these aren't the droids you are looking for."
Race Director
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
I am using the Castrol 0W-30 made in Germany. The high temp viscosity is much better than Mobil-1 and the used oil analyses from this oil have been absolutely stellar, especially in the LS-1. Meets BMW, Mercedes and other European standards. Now running it in all my cars.
If you read the service manual, an oil meeting ACEA A3 standards can be used in place of GM 4718M. By the way, Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3 and the German made Castrol 0W-30 does.
If you read the service manual, an oil meeting ACEA A3 standards can be used in place of GM 4718M. By the way, Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3 and the German made Castrol 0W-30 does.
Good tip!
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by EHS
So, that means the owner's manual is wrong -- since Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3, it can't be used in place of Castrol. I'll have to change my sticker on the the oil filler cap.
Good tip!
Good tip!
Race Director
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Originally Posted by Patman
Just because Mobil 1 is the factory fill in our cars does not automatically make it the best choice.
The gentleman who postred seemed to imply that Mobil-1 doesn't meet the specs required for use in the Corvette -- which it does.
That is all. Over and out.
End of transmission.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by EHS
That wasn't my point -- I am using Valvoline in the car right now, so I am not wed to Mobil 1.
The gentleman who postred seemed to imply that Mobil-1 doesn't meet the specs required for use in the Corvette -- which it does.
That is all. Over and out.
End of transmission.
The gentleman who postred seemed to imply that Mobil-1 doesn't meet the specs required for use in the Corvette -- which it does.
That is all. Over and out.
End of transmission.
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From: Indianapolis IN
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I have never seen any reason to depart from the GM recommended Mobil 1 5w30. It is good oil and your engine will not disintegrate if you use it. It also is relatively inexpensive as you can usually find it on sale at Wally World, etc. A lot of Vette owners like to "mind fxxk" the which oil to use decision, but in the end there are a lot of things we have to deal with in life that warrant serious thought other than oil usage.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 663
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From: Upland California
Originally Posted by ErnieN85
Castrol isn't a true synthetic it's made from good old dino oil they won a ftc arbitration suit (show how smart arbitrators are) to allow them to market it as such. It really isn't as good as mobile1
stick with the good stuff, Mobile1, redline, royal purple
stick with the good stuff, Mobile1, redline, royal purple
Stick with the good stuff, you've got an expensive machine don't skimp on the small stuff 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Country Boys Can Survive.
Lingenfelter put 5w50 in my Vette, and recommended it in writing! It's Mobil synthetic. I thought it's a little thick, but how can I argue with THEM? 
P.S. I just like to post so I can attach my Sig, I'll grow out of it eventually!
P.S. I just like to post so I can attach my Sig, I'll grow out of it eventually!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
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From: Southwest MI
Originally Posted by vettenuts
I am using the Castrol 0W-30 made in Germany. The high temp viscosity is much better than Mobil-1 and the used oil analyses from this oil have been absolutely stellar, especially in the LS-1. Meets BMW, Mercedes and other European standards. Now running it in all my cars.
If you read the service manual, an oil meeting ACEA A3 standards can be used in place of GM 4718M. By the way, Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3 and the German made Castrol 0W-30 does.
If you read the service manual, an oil meeting ACEA A3 standards can be used in place of GM 4718M. By the way, Mobil-1 doesn't meet ACEA A3 and the German made Castrol 0W-30 does.
........ if you guys don't believe it, do some research on the net (look at the facts, not the hype), odds are, you'll end up using it also (you can get it at Auto Zone)