Author Topic: Castrol Synthec or Mobil 1? (Read 3502 times)

NYH1 · « **on:** April 13, 2008, 09:41:31 AM »

I'm going to switch over to synthetic oil at my next oil change. I want to go with a brand of oil that I can buy locally. That's pretty much Castrol Syntec or Mobil 1. Is there any difference between the two? Is one better then the other? Thanks.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2008, 12:53:50 PM »

I have been using M1 since '87 , I haven't had any problems. I don't baby the oil, min of 7500 between changes, generally more like 10k. That said I drive 40 miles one way to work, all rural interstate. I haven't traded anything before 170k and no oil related problems. Castrol vs. Mobile1 I honestly don't think it matters, but I'm sticking to M1 cause it's been good by me.

oldandslow · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2008, 01:15:33 PM »

Mobil 1 has been around longer than any of the others with the exception of Amsoil which made it out a few weeks before Mobil 1. I think by now all the synthetic is basically the same formula. You can find Mobil 1 at any Wal- Mart that I've been in so that might be a consideration. Dino based oils are so good now I don't know whether it's worth the extra dollars to run synthetic or not.

ihookem · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2008, 02:24:08 PM »

Empty quiver, you are probably changing your oil too soon. I bet you can go 15k and the engine will still never wear out. I run Amsoil series 3000 in my diesel. It cost me 6.10 a qt. when I buy a 10qt. jug, but Amsoil guarantees it to last 25k mi. I always changed my Amsoil 15w40 diesel & marine oil every 15k with filters every 5k. I went with the nano filter by Amsoil this time and with 9k on the oil it is amazingly clean, just starting to get a little dark now. Buying Amsoil can be weird but if you hook up with a bigger dealer you can get prices every bit as good as Mobil 1. Iv'e used Mobil 1 lots of times and really like it too. Got it in my Kubota and it starts very well in -10 degree weather. Buy a good filter , Mobil 1 makes an extended drain filter for about 10 bucks. It is worth it!

30-30man · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2008, 02:39:36 PM »

Neither.....Too Expensive and not worth it....I have used cheap dino Havoline in my 79 Dodge Ram for over 250,000 miles and it's still ticking. It's lucky to get changed twice a year too. The dino oil is so good now the benefits of an expensive synthetic are nothing more than hype. You're paying for the commercials they put on television. Why would you want to put any more money in the oil companies pocket that you have to. They're screwing us blind already with these fuel prices.

30-30man · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2008, 02:53:32 PM »

Here comes the Amsoil threads.......Just buy a good dino. Havoline, Pennzoil, Valvoline, Castrol, etc. All of these are good for 250,000 plus. The only oil related problem I ever had was finding it on sale. I've stuck with the brand name dinos and never had a problem. You can buy into the synthetic hype if you want to, it's your money--I hate to see anyone waste money.

ihookem · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2008, 03:40:26 PM »

I guess you have a point 30-30 man. I never used it neither until I got my diesel. It turns over very easy in winter. In my f-150's I never used it. I got 213k on the 86 and 225 k on the 96 and neither used hardly any oil at all. Changed oil about every 5k. Maybe I will go back to dyno and just change every 8k or so. You are right, oil is so good these days you don't have to change often at all. I scream when I hear guys changing every 3k. Aslo, I really need to get an awfull lot of miles out of my diesel or I am going to go broke I need 400k out of it or I'm going to be sorry. Amsoil is a small company in Superior, Wisconsin and not exactly big oil. If I can go 20k between changes with Amsoil, it's really no more expensive neither.

torpedoman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2008, 03:55:37 PM »

over 200k on two f150's fed nothing but mobile 1 no engine problems and due to fact the engine turns over a lot easier in the cold batteries last a lot longer. Sold one of the f150's to a bud who took it down and had a mechanic go over it and he came back and wanted to know when i had changed the engine because to mechanic said it was a new engine. One other thing is that everything i put it in gets 3 miles per gallon better mileage with it so it actually pays for itself.

NYH1 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2008, 04:57:15 PM »

Thanks for the replies. As for oil filters, I'm going to use either Purolator, Wix or Mobil 1.

Gary G · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2008, 06:27:08 AM »

My theory is to use regular oil and change more often since it cost about half as much. If I lived in a very cold climate I would use the synthetic because it is thinner at the colder temps. The last vehicle I sold had 309000 on it and still ran like new without having to add oil between changes.

On filters here is from some research I have done:
Wix - good filters and they make some of the OEM filters.
AC delco duragaurd - good filter
Purolator pure one/motorcraft - good filter but may have some restriction. I might not use this one on an older engine that had noisy lifters.
Purolator premium plus - good filter.
Mobil 1 - cost is more.

oldandslow · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2008, 01:54:09 PM »

I figure gas mileage on every tank of gas I buy. Next oil change I'm going to Mobil 1 just to see if it improves my mileage. It would certainly pay for it's self with a 3 mpg increase.

ihookem · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2008, 02:27:31 PM »

In my Duramax I gained an average of .2 mi. per gallon. Not much at all, one percent, or five mi. per 25 gal. fill up or 1 dollar saved for every tank at 4.00 per gal., or fifty dollars a year cause I fill up about once a week, or five hundred dollars saved over the next ten years, I change oil less than I used to. All that because of a lousy .2 mi. per gal. improvement. I also hear it's easier on turbos because turbos need oil as soon as they start up and synthetic gets there faster, saving the wear on the turbo. Sythetic may not cost any more in the long run. Later, ihookem.

The Powder Keg · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2008, 05:44:36 AM »

Quote from: 30-30man on April 13, 2008, 02:39:36 PM

Neither.....Too Expensive and not worth it....I have used cheap dino Havoline in my 79 Dodge Ram for over 250,000 miles and it's still ticking. It's lucky to get changed twice a year too. The dino oil is so good now the benefits of an expensive synthetic are nothing more than hype. You're paying for the commercials they put on television. Why would you want to put any more money in the oil companies pocket that you have to. They're screwing us blind already with these fuel prices.

Not all true! Engines on a dyno produce more power when on synthetic oil! Why? Less friction, and friction in an engine or any mechanical object is not good! Less friction equalls less wear and better fuel effeciency. Also, synthetic oil excells when the temperature is extremely hot or cold. Petroleum based oil will turn to "Coke" or carbon when heated to the extreme. Carbon is abrasive and doesn't lubricate very well!!! In extreme cold the synthetic flows like water giving instant lubrication to vital components and higher cranking speeds which could mean the differance between will it or won't it start? I will agree that todays petroleum based engine oils are very good but synthetic still outperforms them in many important areas. Why do many automotive manufacturers use Mobil 1 as a factory fill? Think about it, it's not because they have some extra money they want to spend.

30-30man · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2008, 04:48:27 PM »

My point is no matter what type of oil you use, the rest of the vehicle will fall apart before the engine will. It makes no difference in what type of oil you use. You can buy what ever you want but in the end, dino is just as good and will keep an engine running for a long time.

Gary G · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2008, 04:26:46 AM »

Internal combustion engines produce soot. This is produced in the combustion chamber and some gets by the rings into the oil. These soot particles along with small metal fragments are suspended in the oil no matter whether it is conventional or synthetic. The filter only gets out the larger particles. To remove them all by filter would be too restrictive to flow. These particles cause frictional wear. To remove them means to change the oil. For this reason I would rather use conventional and change more often than synthetic run at longer intervals. Now if I lived in a very cold climate I would use synthetic because it remains thin at cold temps. Or, if I lived in a very hot climate and pulled heavy loads I would use synthetic as it withstands heat better. But for me, in a temperate climate and normal driving I choose conventional and change more often. Modern oil is much better than it used to be. 5W30 will get into the engine just as fast as 5W30 synthetic at startup under normal temps. Now, 0W30 synthetic might be an advantage, but I would check my owners manual, and is it worth the additional cost? This is my common sense approach, if I had any.

NYH1 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2008, 08:13:14 AM »

My truck calls for 5W-20 engine oil. I'm going to run the same type of oil all year long. Temperature's run anywhere from -10° in the winter to mid 90's in the summer. I'm going to go with Mobil 1 oil and Mobil 1 filter. Thanks for the replies.

NYH1 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2008, 07:42:12 AM »

Here is an interesting link.
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2008, 03:05:27 PM »

30-30 man I use the M1 but you are correct, my vehicles have in fact fallen apart before the engine failed. Sometimes I question the extra expense but I'm hoping that the chassis will outlast the engine someday, if not other economy's help level the costs. In the end I 'm paying the money and takin' my chance.

NYH1 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2008, 06:55:04 PM »

I'm going to go with Amsoil products from now on. They have a wide variety of synthetic oils as well as filters. I bought one of their Ea Air Filters and some Saber (ATP) 2 cycle oil the other day. I'm going to change the gear oil in my front and rear differentials next. I won't be able to buy it locally. It's not that big of a deal though. I order most of my ammo, might as well order my car/truck care products too.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2008, 07:01:09 PM »

I prefer valvoline Maxlife 10-40 with a bosch filter. Oil has stayed so much more cleaner with the bosch filter and valvoline.

For some reason, when i would use a fram filter with either mobil 1 or castrol, Within 2,500 miles it was almost black. That was in a 92 isuzu rodeo and a 98 f250 5.4 gas.

Both trucks will only see maxlife and a bosch filter.

The 2002 ford taurus runs motorcrasft 5-20 with a bosch filter. That too stays a hell of a lot cleaner.

Oil's cheap, An engine replacement isnt.

ihookem · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2008, 04:14:55 PM »

I put on an Amsoil filter and am amazed at how clean the oil is after 10k mi. It's in the filter.

CrowMagnumMan · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2008, 02:50:33 AM »

Anybody have any problems with leaks after switching to synthetic? The guy at the garage, who sells Mobil 1, said it has caused leaks in some customer's vehicles after they have made the switch.

NYH1 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 23, 2008, 06:17:37 PM »

Quote from: CrowMagnumMan on August 23, 2008, 02:50:33 AM

Anybody have any problems with leaks after switching to synthetic? The guy at the garage, who sells Mobil 1, said it has caused leaks in some customer's vehicles after they have made the switch.

I have heard of people with older or higher mileage vehicles who changed from dino oil to synthetic oil having leaks after the switch. I really don't know the reason for the leaks. I've never heard of any leaks in newer or lower mileage vehicles.

My 87 Bronco had 140,000 miles on it when I switched to Castrol Syntec. I never had any trouble at all.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:31:52 AM »

I use synthetic in everything i own. Its been proven over and over to reduce friction better then conventional oil and to me its cheap insurance. Guys balk at paying 20 more dollars for an oil change then go out to the bar when there done and piss away 50 bucks. I have found a little deal though. My nephew works as the warehouse boss in the local walmart and is in charge of there ordering. he has msda papers on everything they get. they sell a house brand synthetic called high tech and he said it comes right from mobil. It has an identical msda as mobil one does and they sell it for 10 dollars a gallon cheaper.

.54 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2008, 03:08:12 AM »

My '99 Silverado just turned over 205,000 miles and still runs as smooth as the day I bought it. I've always used Mobil 1 in it. I've pulled a lot of trailers with it and it's never leaked or burned any oil. I'm gettin the itch for a new truck and I'll stick with M1 in it too.

ihookem · « **Reply #25 on:** September 27, 2008, 02:55:58 PM »

I just got my used oil analysis back. After 18k mi. the truck burned 1 qt. of oil. The oil I had tested is Amsoil series 3000 5w30 diesel oil. The filter was not changed until after the test was done. The test said the oil was good for continued use, check in another 18k mi. I think synthetic is well worth it, the test proves that synthetic lasts a long time!

XD9 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 03, 2008, 01:47:53 AM »

I just used the new 0w30 Fuel Economy oil from Mobil 1. It's full synthetic, costs a little more, but is supposed to last 25k miles. My truck was getting 14 mpg but, after using this oil, I'm getting 15 mpg. I know it's only 1 mpg but that's a big difference when you're only getting 14!!

I definitely think the full synthetic is worth the price difference. Especially since it last so much longer.

bilmac · « **Reply #27 on:** October 03, 2008, 03:12:00 AM »

Here's a new slant. I use Wal-Mart brand synthetic. Change at 9000, not because I worry about the oil, but because I figure the filter needs a break. All oils have to meet gvt testing specs, so Wal-mart's is probably not much different than the next guys, but I can use their synthetic and get all the synthetic advantages, and with the longer change interval actually save $ over even high price non-syns.

I am picky about filters however. As far as I know there are no standards for filters. My mechanic daddy-in-law told me many years ago to stay away from Fram filters. Now you can find info on the net that Fram filters are not up to the quality of almost any other brand.

dw06 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2008, 10:58:31 AM »

I been using Mobil 1 for over tens years now,my 98 s-10 I ran dino oil for first 20 thousand then switched to Mobil 1 and been very happy with it. I get 1.5 more mpg, better cold weather starts,and smoother running engine. I run it 7500 miles,and never add any between changes. Since Lloyd mentioned wal marts super tech brand, I checked it out today and 5 quarts of Mobil 1 was $26,and the super tech was $17.50. So next oil change I am giving it a try. Any one running the super tech?

ihookem · « **Reply #29 on:** December 14, 2008, 01:05:43 PM »

I hear Mobil 1 is getting hard to find because of a hurricane in Sept.