My annual oil change is close at hand and I've been researching oils for Vettes. What a confusing area this is turning out to be. I'm sure most of you will say "Just use Mobil 1, as GM recommends it." They say the oil should be synthetic too don't they? Read on.

GM also says that the oil should meet their GM4718 spec and the API SJ grade too.

I've bought some Castrol Syntec and it meets the GM spec and the SJ spec and it has the API golden sun logo on the bottle too. The Syntec says "Fully Synthetic" on the bottle too right under the name of the oil.

But from the reading I've done neither Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntec (plus some others) are fully synthetic anymore even though they both say they are.

So the questions are -
1. Does it matter?
2. Are the oil makers conning us?
3. Are we being gouged a premium for oil that's hardly better than Walmart $1 per quart stuff?
4. Are there any fully synthetic oils other than Amsoil (claims)?

 

Royal Purple is another great oil, the type of oil makes a difference. I felt a slight performance....I felt that. I actually tried really hard to watch my mpg and saw an increase of .5mpg. I tried to drive as normal but one can only stay off the pedal so much.

 

You have to be careful which Mobil 1 you pick up off the shelf.
Mobil keeps coming out with variations, including oil that is not synthetic, so you have to read the label a second time to make sure you are getting the right thing.
Even the fully synthetic Mobil 1 is now in regular, extended service, and high mileage versions.

I don't think you can beat the regular Mobil 1 synthetic that came in the car.

 

I tossed between Amsoil and Mobil 1, but I had used Amsoil in my motorcycle and it worked very well, so I went with it. They have introduced a new synthetic, so you may want to check it out. Royal Purple is also good, but evidently there is some concern that one of the ingredients actually is abrasive. There should be some good comparision links if you search here.

 

Mobil One is full synthetic,read the labels.

 

Keep life simple...... GM also says that the oil should meet their GM4718 spec and the API SJ grade too.

 

PM fellow Canadian member "Patman"...he has done extensive research on a whole variety of brands/weights/types

 

The issue was settled a few years ago in litigation... this is a simplified layman's explanation...and my personal take on the situation.

Some synthetics are based on PAO ( poly alpha olefins) these molecules are synthesized from various gases like that are removed "split off" from natural gas)

Other synthetics are made from a barrel of crude, with components like naptha split off, then chemically broken down into small molecules treated with hydrogen over catalysts to create a new species of base oil called Group III . This has different performance attributes to Group I and Group II traditional base oils ( affectionately knick named "dino oil")

Those that invested in PAO cried foul when the big oil companies found a way around the patents to create a lubricant dervied from oil (not natural gas )that had the same motor oil performance attributes and was cheaper to make. There are some lubricating applications where even the Big Oil companies use PAO . An example is for extreme low temperature applications like gear oils in heavy equipment operating in the Arctic. PAO has a lower pour point than Group III base stocks)

The SAE ruled they were both synthetics and so did the courts. But to this day some marketers still make the "they are not true synthetic" claims. That is because the oil company's synthetic route is cheaper and they sell their equivalently performing oils for less than the PAO propopents want to sell their oils . The fact is that the engine oils produced from both "synthetic routes" offer the same performance and meet the same specifications. This is one time when Big Oil has actually done us a favor and brought down the pricing. Remember when the first synthetics were $20/qt?, then dropped over time to $10/qt? now they sell for under $5/qt) that happened because Big Oil invented and marketed group III basestocks. More companies began making it and competition resulted in reduced prices. [God Bless the U.S.A. ]

I personally have not been able to find one piece of substantiated evidence convincing enough, that makes me want to part with my hard earned money to pay for these exotic or boutique "true synthetic" oils. Quaker HorsePower, Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec exceed the performance requirements of our LSx engines. Why spend more money?

IMHO ...When you are buying engine oil there are only 4 things you need to ask.
1. Is it a Brand I know about and trust?
2. Is it good for my car ?(meets/exceeds the GM4718M spec in this case)
3. Is it the correct viscosity for where I drive my car? ( 5W30 in this case)
4. Is it a price I am willing the pay?


Buy ANY oil that that provides you 4 Yes answers.
Do NOT buy an oil that does not give you 4 Yes answers.

 

When court cases decide what is and isn't synthetic then it's more complicated that what's printed on a label. I'd love to know the real unbiased story.

 

Bottom line from my '04 Owners Manual....

Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard may be identified as synthetic. However, not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard. You should look for and use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.

 

Actually, the "litigation" wasn't in court nor has SAE gotten involved. Mobil made a complaint to an Advertising Council that ruled against them. They didn't take it any farther.



I totally agree with the above.

Also, be wary of any oil that just "recommends" itself for GM4718M.

By the way, API does not monitor whether oils meet manufacturer's specs like GM4718M----you either have to "trust" the manufacturer or look to see which oils GM has certified themselves----which are again, Quaker HorsePower, Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil 1, and Castrol Syntec.

Stick with one of them.

 

What is confusing about Mobil 1? Forget the "boutique" oils, they don't add any value.

 

 

In the military, we call this the "KISS" principle:KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID

 

Here we go... AGAIN!!!!