My local WalMart had lots of this stuff in the 5-quart jugs, but none of the "regular" 5W-30. I was curious, and checked the spec sheets on the Mobil website when I got home. The only difference between the two is that the Truck and SUV stuff has a density of 0.86 vs. 0.80 for regular Mobil 1. I'm guessing this doesn't amount to anything, and either oil is fine for my Z. Any relevant comments?

 

I use either one in my 1500 HD. If there is the 5-w30 I get that if not I get the SUV & Truck formula. I prefer the 5-w30.

I have 80,000 miles on my 04 Silverado 1500HD now

 

OK, but would you use it in an 06Z?

 

I would not. I certainly can't come up with a scientific explanation....but I simply wouldn't use it out of fear of a warranty hastle if something let go while that oil was in it. Don't give "them" a reason IMO

 

I have a 04 2500HD Silverado. I use the Vette Spec oil for that and everthing else also. That includes the boat, AtV wifes car.

Other than special 2 stroke oil, the only other oil in my garage is Mobil 1 5-30.

 

However, the last time I was at Wally World, I checked the back labels of both Mobil 1 formulations and they both carry the GM4718M certification so the Truck & SUV formula should be okay at well. The regular 5W-30 is labelled specifically for extended drain intervals.

 

IF the label on the SUV variant has a meets GM4718M on it, you are fine.
Even though label may not state GM4718M for marketing position reasons, the web site should provide the complete story. I would check the Mobil 1 oil web site.

 

Plus, when it comes to automotive engineering, an inch is a mile, a pound is a ton, and a millisecond can be an eternity. That 0.06 could go a long way! (in the wrong direction, if you know what I mean)

 

The spec sheet says it meets GM 6094M for "factory fill," but it does not contain the GM 4718M spec for "service fill," as does the regular 5W-30. Gobbly guk of the highest order. Anyway, I wasn't going to do the oil change this month, and the Wally World fellow said the various kinds of oil come and go rather frequently, so next time . . .

 

Thanks for the correction. I was trying to remember from sometime last year. I did buy the extended drain interval 4718M spec 5W-30 Mobil 1 for my car at close to $29 for the 5-qt jug. I intend to start using AMSOIL 5W-30 15k severe service drain interval motor oil this spring due to the high degree of success I have had with their Severe Gear 75W90 diff fluid.

 

Allan since you live in So Cal it one time wont hurt it. 10-w30 may be a better choice for warmer climates.

Personally I dont like the 'EXTENDED' formulations.

But then again you know I use 15-w50 in my C5 track car and change my oil every 2 track weekends or about 500 miles. Also do send the oil out to get tested to two different labs, Both labs say my use and oil change is about right.

Use 5-w30 in wifes vette and change that once a year, she dosn't drive it more then 2000 miles a year.

If you guys are worried about 'spec' oil, then might be time to send an oil sample to a lab for testing. "Bob the Oil Guy" runs a good lab and knows vettes.

Some of the Spec oils may not be the best oil for your engine, but the best for the envoirnment and fuel milage.

 

A big change recently happened in the oil refining business......it seems that many metal-based additives used in formulation are now banned in cars for emissions reasons. Auto manufacturers are now required to warranty emmisions devices for 120k mi., including cat. convertors. The metals in the oils pass thru the cats and coat the media w/ "metalic contamination" and render the cats useless. To get the miles out of the cats, the oil companies re-formulated (incl. Mobil 1) and now we don't have the protection we used to have. The solution? Shell Rotella diesel formulation, about the best thing u can do for your car these days. Our cats now last 120k and the motor is gone at 80k.....real bright idea. Even all the oil bottles say"new" and some even have a new look....BEWARE!

 

Interesting insight. Thanks!!

 

My take on the above comments.

First, the owner's manual requires an oil meeting GM Standard 4178M. The above listed Mobil 1 product (Truck and SUV 5w30) does not meet this standard per Mobil 1's website. If your car is under warranty and you want to comply with the owner's manual, you shouldn't use the Truck and SUV 5w30.

API Restrictions
The new API SM/ILSAC GF-4 standards have higher performance standards than older standards, but they actually severely restrict ZDDP (anti-wear) additives (in general by limiting phosphorus to 0.08% for ). This was done at the behest of the automotive industry to help them meet EPA requirements, and protect the catalytic not protect the engine.

Here are the notes at the bottom of the API oil certification form which lay out the various restrictions on the many different types and viscosities of oils:
***Phosphorus content by ASTM D 4951. Sulfur content by ASTM D 4951 or D 2622.
****Phosphorus limits of 0.08 max and 0.06 min apply to API SM SAE 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils. A phosphorus limit of 0.10 max applies to API SJ SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils and API SL SAE 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30 oils. A limit of 0.12 max applies to API CJ-4 and API SH SAE 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils (SH must be preceded by a “C” category). If CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, and/or CI-4 categories precede SM or SL and there is no API Certification Mark, the limit for phosphorus does not apply. If CJ-4 precedes SM or SL and there is no API Certification Mark, the CJ-4 limit of 0.12 applies.
*****A sulfur limit of 0.5 max applies to API SM SAE 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, and 5W-30 oils and 0.7 max to API SM SAE 10W-30 oils. A limit of 0.4 max applies to API CJ-4 oils.

For the more adventurous willing to stray from the owner's manual requirements, several types of oils carry more antiwear additives and do not comply with the new API SM specification for automobiles. These include diesel oils, high mileage oil, marine motor oils, etc.

As a fairly telling example of the impact the API SM specification of xW20 and xw30 grade oils has on an oil's performance, I complied these High Temp High Shear rating directly from the various manufacturer's websites last year. I think it is interesting to see the impact that viscosity, brand and API specification has on how the oil performs in high temp high shear conditions, arguably the type seen in the LS7, particularly track driven cars. And disagreeing with AU N EGL above, the "extended drain" versions tend to perform better due to higher antiwear additive levels.


Amsoil Series 2000 20w50 (API SM) – 5.8
Amsoil Premium Protection 20w50 (API SL) – 5.0
Amsoil Marine Synthetic 10w40 (API SL) – 4.6
Mobil 1 EP 15w50 (API SM) – 4.6
Pennzoil Marine SAE 40 (API SJ) – 4.5
Mobil 1 15w50 (API SM) – 4.5
Amsoil Heavy Duty Diesel 15w40 (CI-4+) – 4.4
Amsoil Premium Protection 10w40 (API SL) – 4.3
Amsoil XL 10w40 (API SM) – 4.3
Pennzoil Truck/SUV 15w40 (CI-4+) – 4.3
Pennzoil Long Life Heavy Duty 15w40 (API SL) – 4.3
Amsoil Premium Diesel 5w40 (CJ-4) – 4.2
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 (API SL) – 4.06
Pennzoil Marine 15w40 (API SL) – 4.0
Amsoil European 5w40 (API SM) – 3.7
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 (API SL) – 3.66
Amsoil Marine Motor 10w30 (API SL) – 3.64
Mobil 1 0w40 (API SM) – 3.6
Amsoil Heavy Duty Diesel 5w30 (CI-4+) – 3.5
Pennzoil Long Life Heavy Duty (API SL) – 3.5
Pennzoil Marine SAE 30 (API SJ) – 3.5
Amsoil Series 2000 0w30 (API SM) – 3.2 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Amsoil SAE 10w30 (API SM) – 3.2 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Amsoil SAE 5w30 (API SM) – 3.2 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Amsoil XL 5w30 (API SM) – 3.2 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Amsoil XL 10w30 (API SM) – 3.2 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Amsoil XL 5w30 (API SM) – 3.2 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 (API SM) – 3.15 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Mobil 1 10w30 (API SM) – 3.14 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Mobil 1 EP 10w30 (API SM) – 3.1
Mobil 1 EP 5w30 (API SM) – 3.1
Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 (API SM) – 3.1 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Pennzoil Truck/SUV 10w30 (API SM) – 3.1
Mobil 1 5w30 (API SM) – 3.09 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Mobil 1 Truck/SUV 5w30 (API SM) – 3.09
Pennzoil Truck/SUV 5w30 (API SM) – 3.0
Mobil 1 0w30 (API SM) – 2.99 (meets GM Standard 4718M)
Amsoil SAE 0w20 (API SM) – 2.8
Amsoil XL 5w20 (API SM) – 2.7
Mobil 1 EP 5w20 (API SM) – 2.7
Mobil 1 5w20 (API SM) – 2.62
Mobil 1 0w20 (API SM) – 2.61
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 (API SM) – 2.6
Pennzoil Truck/SUV 5w30 (API SM) – 2.6
Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 (API SM) – 2.6

Data verified from corporate website May 07.
Note: Many companies such as Castrol, Shell, and Royal Purple do not list HTHS ratings

 

High Temperature / High Shear ASTM 4741
Redline 5w-20 3.3
5w-30 3.8
5w-40 4.6
........................................ .....



Redline has the highest shear stability, mostly for racing situations. Your lower ht/hs oils will give you a tad more power and miles per gallon.