Engine Oil
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
Engine Oil
Hey guys,
It seems that it's kinda hard for our local dealer to get the Mobil 1 5w30 engine oil, which is the oil type that's written on the cap. They use Mobil 1 0w40 and when I asked them about that, they told me that it's fine and it didn't create any issues for them !
Will there be any problems if this oil is used for the engine?
Thanks,
Faisal
It seems that it's kinda hard for our local dealer to get the Mobil 1 5w30 engine oil, which is the oil type that's written on the cap. They use Mobil 1 0w40 and when I asked them about that, they told me that it's fine and it didn't create any issues for them !
Will there be any problems if this oil is used for the engine?
Thanks,
Faisal
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 2
From: Hope, Arkansas - '07 LMB Coupe
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
If the dealer is having trouble finding the 5W30 Mobile 1, then go pick up some locally and them change it for you. You can find it at most auto part places and even at Wal Mart. I don't think the 0W40 will hurt, but I would prefer to stay with the recommended viscosity.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Hey guys,
It seems that it's kinda hard for our local dealer to get the Mobil 1 5w30 engine oil, which is the oil type that's written on the cap. They use Mobil 1 0w40 and when I asked them about that, they told me that it's fine and it didn't create any issues for them !
Will there be any problems if this oil is used for the engine?
Thanks,
Faisal
It seems that it's kinda hard for our local dealer to get the Mobil 1 5w30 engine oil, which is the oil type that's written on the cap. They use Mobil 1 0w40 and when I asked them about that, they told me that it's fine and it didn't create any issues for them !
Will there be any problems if this oil is used for the engine?
Thanks,
Faisal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
I would immediately have trouble finding that dealer again. Can't find 5W30? 
Have they tried Wal-Mart?
NO!!!! 0W40 is NOT an acceptable substitute according to GM. It is too thin when starting cold and too thick when warm. It needs to be changed immediately!
Have they tried Wal-Mart?NO!!!! 0W40 is NOT an acceptable substitute according to GM. It is too thin when starting cold and too thick when warm. It needs to be changed immediately!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
Locally is in Saudi Arabia
I don't know why I can't find 5w30? I went to mobil 1 and they have to get me a special order.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
From the Owner's Manual (2007 page 339)
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M may not be available. You can add substitute oil designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
5W30 and 10W30 are not common grades in many foreign countries.
European and Asian car manufacturers use different grades and specs. hence those using North american cars in foregin countries often have challenges finding the recommended lubricants.
IF Mobil 1 does 0W40 does not meet the spec then change it as soon as you can locate an oil that does.
I suspect it is because they had to use a lot of VII (Viscosity Index Improver) to get the 0W40 range and that amount meant it fell short on the GM4718M tests.
The following all meet GM4718M
Shell Fully Synthetic (not sure about Helix Ultra it probably has not been tested for GM4718M, but it is one of the finest motor oils available anywhere)
Pennzoil Platinum
Quaker State Horsepower
Castrol Syntec
Royal Purple
Ammsoil
European and Asian car manufacturers use different grades and specs. hence those using North american cars in foregin countries often have challenges finding the recommended lubricants.
IF Mobil 1 does 0W40 does not meet the spec then change it as soon as you can locate an oil that does.
I suspect it is because they had to use a lot of VII (Viscosity Index Improver) to get the 0W40 range and that amount meant it fell short on the GM4718M tests.
The following all meet GM4718M
Shell Fully Synthetic (not sure about Helix Ultra it probably has not been tested for GM4718M, but it is one of the finest motor oils available anywhere)
Pennzoil Platinum
Quaker State Horsepower
Castrol Syntec
Royal Purple
Ammsoil
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 919
Likes: 30
From: ST.PETE BEACH FL.
I would definitely NOT use zero weight oil,particularly if you live in a warmer climate .You've got to have some viscosity on initial startup.I'm not fond of 5W oil either but that's what GM specifies so that's what my dealer uses.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
There is no such thing as an oil that is "too thin when starting up cold" Your oil is going to be WAY thinner when warmed up as it is when cold. So if you think an oil is too thin when cold, then you really must think it's super thin when it's hot. For example, most 5w30 oils have a viscosity between 60-70 cst at 40c, but at operating temp of roughly 100c most 5w30s are between 10-12 cst. Quite a bit thinner! For comparison purposes, Mobil 1 0w40 has a viscosity of 78.3 cst at 40c. That's not thin at all, that's quite thick. Much thicker than their 5w30 at the same temperature, their 5w30 has a viscosity of 64.8 cst at 100c.
Mobil 1 0w40 really would not hurt the LSx series of engines, but I wouldn't recommend using it, there are much better oils. And you definitely don't want to use it under warranty since it does not have GM's 4718M rating.