C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Mobil 1 0w-40

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-08-2008, 11:27 AM
  #1  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default Mobil 1 0w-40

Does it meet the requirement and would it be better for occasional strip use?
Old 05-08-2008, 11:51 AM
  #2  
Billdog350
Drifting
 
Billdog350's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: East Hampton CT
Posts: 1,720
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

I happened to speak to a Mobil 1 engineer last weekend and he was touting the 0w-40 as the optimal solution for almost all motors.

While this is all well and good, why do they still make 10w-30, 5w-30, 15w-50, 0w-20, etc if the 0w-40 will do everything? Years ago you needed the added viscosity for the "liquid bearing" effect that oil provides....now that the synthetics can handle heat and pressure better, I guess its less of an issue. I do know my oil pressure was in the low to mid 20's at hot idle (130k mi on motor) with 10w-30 Mobil 1 and its now high 20's and low 30's with a blend of 15w-50 and 10w-30. I still like ~30psi at hot idle.....so I pick the proper oil mix to get that.

According to oil "experts", the pressure means very little and you should just run the 0w-40 for optimal fuel economy and hp.
Old 05-08-2008, 11:56 AM
  #3  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

Thank you. I guess I'll put it in. I wasn't sure if it would be all right. Mine has 19,000 on it. I figured it might be better because of some 1/4 mile use.
Old 05-08-2008, 11:59 AM
  #4  
Billdog350
Drifting
 
Billdog350's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: East Hampton CT
Posts: 1,720
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Does that have the proper GM spec on the container? I think its GM4718M.
Old 05-08-2008, 12:05 PM
  #5  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

Originally Posted by Billdog350
Does that have the proper GM spec on the container? I think its GM4718M.
No. It has G.M. LL-A-025. Whatever that is?
Old 05-08-2008, 12:24 PM
  #6  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

After a search, it may be of an even higher standard.
Old 05-08-2008, 09:37 PM
  #7  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

I just can't seem to be able to pour it in.
I may take it back. The car has been up on jack stands all day. I don't have enough info.
Old 05-08-2008, 09:44 PM
  #8  
Gray Ghost GS
"AlohaC5" Senior Member

Support Corvetteforum!
 
Gray Ghost GS's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2003
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 3,562
Received 43 Likes on 34 Posts

Default

I'm thinking of purchasing Mobil 1 0W40 for the 1st time to try it on the road courses (HPDE) this summer. I've heard only good things about this oil/weight.
Old 05-09-2008, 12:12 AM
  #9  
Joe0121
Race Director
 
Joe0121's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Bellville OH
Posts: 10,298
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06

Default

The manual says 5-w30 for cold and 10w for hot my oil pressure is always around 30-ish at hot idle wonder how well the 0w 40 will do for daily use.
Old 05-09-2008, 07:37 AM
  #10  
WKMCD
Race Director
 
WKMCD's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Haymarket VA
Posts: 13,765
Received 73 Likes on 48 Posts

Default

I picked some up the other day when looking for a 40w synthetic for the 403. I'll get it in tomorrow since it looks like it's going to pour for the Skyline Cruise.
Old 05-09-2008, 08:53 AM
  #11  
Billdog350
Drifting
 
Billdog350's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: East Hampton CT
Posts: 1,720
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Joe0121
The manual says 5-w30 for cold and 10w for hot my oil pressure is always around 30-ish at hot idle wonder how well the 0w 40 will do for daily use.
The difficult thing about using manuals for reference is that they're outdated as soon as they're written. Back in 1997 when my manual was written, they didn't have 0W-20 or 0W-40 oils yet.....

Who's to say what GM would have recommended if they did? Of course we can compare to the 2007-8 manuals and see what they recommend a lighter weight.

My concern with the 0W type oils is less of proper lubrication/pressure and more regarding oil consumption. I have the old "non positive twist" style piston rings that have the "flutter" issue at high rpm. I've noticed increased blow by and oil consumption when revved under load to high rpm. Changing my oil from 10w-30 to 15w-50 has significantly reduced the issue. I suspect people with the revised design rings (started in 2001 or 2002 if I recall) would have much fewer issues.
Old 05-09-2008, 03:12 PM
  #12  
Higgs Boson
Race Director
 
Higgs Boson's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 10,763
Received 2,379 Likes on 1,238 Posts

Default

The only real drawback to really lightweight oil we have experienced is that it has less "cling" to it and if you do not start your car on a regular basis (race cars, garage queens) then you risk more startup wear.
Old 05-09-2008, 04:56 PM
  #13  
GM-4-LIFE
Racer
 
GM-4-LIFE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 400
Received 47 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

I purchased the 0w30 Advanced Fuel Economy formula Mobil 1 (green cap) from Wal-Mart and I noticed that Wal-Mart also carries the Mobil 1 oil filters which do a much better job than the blue AC Delco oil filters.

The Mobil 1 0w30 is approved for use in the Corvette. It has the GM4718M spec approval on the back of the bottle.

The 0w30 protects just as good as the 5w30, but has better cold starting characteristics and when the engine is cold, it saves you a bit more fuel. It can only help.

0w40 may be a bit too thick for GM engines. Check your owners's manual and it states NEVER to use any oil thicker than a 10w30.

Hope this helps!
Old 05-09-2008, 06:08 PM
  #14  
STL94LT1
Race Director
 
STL94LT1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: O'Fallon Missouri
Posts: 12,258
Received 81 Likes on 71 Posts

Default

I just bougt Mobil I 0W30 for my C4 and Lightning, and 0W40 for my C5 (C5 has a built engine). Guess I'll see how the 0W's work, I like the theory.
Old 05-09-2008, 07:08 PM
  #15  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

It's in there. We will see what happens.
Old 05-09-2008, 09:45 PM
  #16  
lightnin
Safety Car
Thread Starter
 
lightnin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: No Star Whackers here. Md.
Posts: 4,945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

OK, I have a few #s. Cold start up, oil pressure jumped to 42psi then settled in at 38. At 70 mph, 44 to 45 psi. Warm idle,31 to 32. Hammered throttle, 62psi. 190* oil temp.
btw. this is with a mobil 1 filter.

Last edited by lightnin; 05-09-2008 at 09:50 PM. Reason: Add content.
Old 05-09-2008, 10:41 PM
  #17  
Dave68
Race Director
 
Dave68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 19,299
Received 78 Likes on 50 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by AlohaC5
I'm thinking of purchasing Mobil 1 0W40 for the 1st time to try it on the road courses (HPDE) this summer. I've heard only good things about this oil/weight.
The Mobil 1 technical guy to whom I spoke uses 0W-40 in his vehicle in Texas. He told me that it is one of the best all-around oils that Mobil makes. I know that back in 01, Porsche was using it as factory fill in ther Boxsters. I think if I lived in Arizona or area with similar climate, this is what I'd use.

Get notified of new replies

To Mobil 1 0w-40

Old 05-09-2008, 11:04 PM
  #18  
Ikester
Race Director
 
Ikester's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Whippany NJ
Posts: 11,356
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor

Default

Corvette manual calls for 5w-30 or 10w30. for me, I follow the requirements to avoid trouble, not ask it to come by for dinner and a movie.

why do owners go completely the other way when the answer is right in front of you?
Old 05-09-2008, 11:36 PM
  #19  
Today's problem is..
Melting Slicks
 
Today's problem is..'s Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Farmers Branch TX
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09

Default

I guess I dont see the real advantage. Maybe my logic may be flawed, but with a 0w40 oil, you may use slightly less fuel/gain power during warm up, but then your oil is a thicker viscosity when hot, 40 weight instead of 30 weight, which I believe would create more drag, use more fuel/lose power while hot, but I am sure this is so slight it wouldnt be noticed by the driver. I dont know about anyone else, but my engine spends only a few minutes until the oil is up to temp. I thought the original intent on going to the thinner oils such as 5w30, 5w20 was to get the engines up to temp quicker to reduce emissions output and use slightly less fuel than their thicker counterparts. Feel free to correct me if wrong.
Old 05-10-2008, 12:08 AM
  #20  
Dave68
Race Director
 
Dave68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 19,299
Received 78 Likes on 50 Posts

Default

From what I recall reading here in this section of the forum, Mobil 1 5W-30 oil is closer to a 20W oil at higher temps than say, Castrol European formula 0W-30. 0W-40 offers more protection at high temps, but if you typically do not see oil temps above 230F, 5W-30 is perfectly fine. I have seen 260F during aggressive mountain runs, so it is then that I wish I had the 0W-40 lubricating my engine. Smaller high-performance engines tend to run hotter than larger equivelents, all other things being equal, hence Porsche's decision to run the 0W-40 in its Boxster. Patman has an above-average knowledge of oils and has posted many times about viscosities and how some brands' oils behave differently compared to other brands' of the same viscosity.


Quick Reply: Mobil 1 0w-40



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:50 PM.