Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil in center diff

[IdahoDoug]

I'm getting ready to drain and fill the drive train fluids on the 93 and was copying quantities out of the FSM since I'm also doing my bro in law's 93 (290,000 miles or so on his!). I noticed that Toyota specifies 'hypoid' for the center only and I've always used Mobil 1 75-90 there as well as the F/R diffs. Just got me curious as I didn't have a bottle on hand to confirm it was approved for hypoid applications, so I got on the Mobil website to look at the MSD, etc.

This stuff is amazing. I've been using it since the truck was new, but this was the first time I've ventured onto their website for it (didn't have websites back in '93...). Just about dropped my jaw when I read that Eaton approves Mobil 1 as an extended drain gear oil for some of their semi-truck and commercial axles for - drum roll please - ........500,000 miles! Um, guess I've been under utilizing it with my 30,000 mile changeouts on a passenger vehicle, eh??

And yes, it is approved for hypoid so it can be used in all three 80 diffs.

Heh. So, I'm just going to change out the front diff as it's a good thing to assess the condition of the axle seal with 60,000 miles on it now. I'll get a sample out of the rear axle and center diff as well just to ensure no contamination.

A half million miles! That's amazing.

DougM

 

[MaddBaggins]

Mobil 1 is so good that if you put it on ice with some vodka you get a great buzz and no hangover

M1 everywhere in my rig and she likes it that way!

 

[MH_Stevens]

I'm having trouble finding the M1 in gear weights. Where's it at? Not at my Autozone, NAPA, Costco, Wallmart or Jensens.

 

[LX_TREME]

I'm having trouble finding the M1 in gear weights. Where's it at? Not at my Autozone, NAPA, Costco, Wallmart or Jensens.

How about Pepboys ? If you don't see it in stock, tell 'em you want to speak to store manager leave $20 deposit need to order M1 ( 75w -90 Syn Gear Lubricant ) or quick send the send the payment to my Paypal.Ill go get 2 boxes from my garage and ship it to you by UPS next day

 

[tarbe]

Or buy it at www.avlube.com

 

[lndcruz]

ok im a noob


How do I change the center diff oil? Ive got the front and rear down but I cant figure out this center!

 

[wxm]

ok im a noob


How do I change the center diff oil? Ive got the front and rear down but I cant figure out this center!

I think they meant transfer case, at least that's what I thought.

 

[lt1fire]

I think they meant transfer case, at least that's what I thought.

Yes the t-case is also called the center diff.

 

[lndcruz]

^ yeah i was referring that I didnt know how to change the fluid in the center diff/xfercase. Figured it out now. Remove the skid plate.

Did anyone else notice that there diffs lock almost immediately after changing the fluid in all diffs? Same with unlocking.


And yes M1 rocks, after I change the tranny fluid my rig will have all m1 in it.

 

[2everest]

Damn ... I thought it was good, but .... damn ...

 

[93Chewbacca]

Mobil 1 is no longer "synthetic" in my book.

My dad and I have been using Mobil 1 for about 30 years and have always had very good results from it. In my recent hunt for Birfield grease choices, I discovered that in 1999 a law was passed that created a loophole allowing oil manufacturers to label regular petroleum oil as "synthetic". Basically, TRUE synthetics use Group IV or Group V base oil stocks (non petroleum). In 1999, a loophole was created to allow lubricants made with Group III (petroleum) base oil stocks to be classified as "synthetic" if the sulphur was removed from the oil.

Although regular petroleum oil has come a LONG way in the last 30 years, we still felt rather deceived by this labeling loophole. Mobil 1 does not make it very clear anymore (without a lot of online digging) what their base stock is, they used to clearly state that their oil was Group IV.

Thus, I have switched to Amsoil which still offers SOME true synthetic oil choices (they also offer some products that use Group III base stock). Amsoil seems to be much more open about their products and which base stock is used in each product.

I believe it is very likely that Mobil 1 may be using Group III base stock for many of its other "synthetic" lubricants, grease, gear oil, transmission fluid etc...

I was a huge fan of Mobil 1 up until now, ExxonMobil is now on my **** list. I guess I just don't like being told a product is "synthetic" if its made from the same stuff as all the conventional oil.

Interestingly enough, Group III base stocks are considered synthetic motor oil ONLY in the United States; elsewhere they are not allowed to be marketed as "synthetic".


Amsoil's writeup on the matter:
AMSOIL Changes XL-7500 Formula To Enhance Oils, Stay Competitive

 

[julstirn]

I use it all around so im glad its good stuff!

 

[js93cruiser]

i love mobile 1, i'm running 5w30 in my engine, and 75w90 in the diffs, i use lucas in the t case

 

[Tacoma4life]

If you read up on BITOG.com you will see a huge divide between Mobile 1 supporters and haters. There was also some testing done in which Mobile 1 5W-30 didn't even meet the requirements they claimed. Take it for what you will...
I personally don't like their motor oil, but I think their gear lube is decent stuff. There is surely better gear lubes out there, but Mobile 1 75-90LS can be found for $8.99/quart. Of course my reasoning includes the fact that I think paying upwards of $16/quart is too much.

And for the front diff; I agree with Tools R Us and recommend changing the front diiff often with a cheaper conventional lube as it's quickly contaminated with grease from the knuckles. Don't waste your money on synthetic here...

 

[ybhc]

My dad and I have been using Mobil 1 for about 30 years and have always had very good results from it. In my recent hunt for Birfield grease choices, I discovered that in 1999 a law was passed that created a loophole allowing oil manufacturers to label regular petroleum oil as "synthetic". Basically, TRUE synthetics use Group IV or Group V base oil stocks (non petroleum). In 1999, a loophole was created to allow lubricants made with Group III (petroleum) base oil stocks to be classified as "synthetic" if the sulphur was removed from the oil.

Although regular petroleum oil has come a LONG way in the last 30 years, we still felt rather deceived by this labeling loophole. Mobil 1 does not make it very clear anymore (without a lot of online digging) what their base stock is, they used to clearly state that their oil was Group IV.

Thus, I have switched to Amsoil which still offers SOME true synthetic oil choices (they also offer some products that use Group III base stock). Amsoil seems to be much more open about their products and which base stock is used in each product.

I believe it is very likely that Mobil 1 may be using Group III base stock for many of its other "synthetic" lubricants, grease, gear oil, transmission fluid etc...

I was a huge fan of Mobil 1 up until now, ExxonMobil is now on my **** list. I guess I just don't like being told a product is "synthetic" if its made from the same stuff as all the conventional oil.

Interestingly enough, Group III base stocks are considered synthetic motor oil ONLY in the United States; elsewhere they are not allowed to be marketed as "synthetic".


Amsoil's writeup on the matter:
AMSOIL Changes XL-7500 Formula To Enhance Oils, Stay Competitive

Hey, there's nothing inherently evil about highly-manufactured group III oils. Though Mobil 1 would certainly be overcharging for them if theirs is in fact Group III.

Me?
Ill just keep dumping this $2.50 a quart Delo 400 motor oil and similarly cheap Delo Gear Oil.

 

[93Chewbacca]

Hey, there's nothing inherently evil about highly-manufactured group III oils. Though Mobil 1 would certainly be overcharging for them if theirs is in fact Group III.

Me?
Ill just keep dumping this $2.50 a quart Delo 400 motor oil and similarly cheap Delo Gear Oil.

You're right, there isn't anything EVIL about Group III oils, but the fact that Mobil 1 is claiming their oil is "synthetic" when it really isn't, that I consider to be deceptive. The fact that the US law allows this is pretty ridiculous, IMO. Other countries wont allow this BS. And yes, they are definitely overcharging.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Good to know. I just dropped ~$90 in putting Mobile 1 75-90 in the diffs and xfer cases on both of my LCs. I may look at the locally available alternatives instead next time. Valvoline maybe? It's cheaper here.

 

[Darasick]

Hey, there's nothing inherently evil about highly-manufactured group III oils. Though Mobil 1 would certainly be overcharging for them if theirs is in fact Group III.

Me?
Ill just keep dumping this $2.50 a quart Delo 400 motor oil and similarly cheap Delo Gear Oil.

X2 on the Delo, I just can't find the gear oil!

 

[Tools R Us]

Hey, there's nothing inherently evil about highly-manufactured group III oils. ...

X2.

I have just enough experience with the automotive/oil biz to know most of the advertising is BS. I pretty much ignore the hype, select lubes by testing history in the motor in question. If you look at the 1FZ tests that have been posted, Mobil One has delivered very good results and so has lots of other oils.

I have used lots of Amsoil, was a "dealer" for a while. They publish more rhetoric than most, lots of it "customer testimony" or from "independent" labs that they pay for, often about details that make little difference to actual performance. I’m not a big fan of multi level marketing, don’t buy from amway, avon, etc. Good lubes are readily available, don’t see the need to search out the guy with the secret hand shake or pay more than needed to support their multi level marketing.

I run Mobil One for two reasons: It is readily available in the viscosity that I prefer and at a good price. It has performed very well in tests in FZ motors, some over 15K mi changes and I prefer longer change interval. The fact is, most Toyota's are easy on lubes, and Cruisers are very easy on lube. It is likely that you could select lube by the “whatever is on sale at the local parts store, on the day that the job is done” method and as long as the lubes are changed to the schedule, are maintained at the proper level, it would last just as long as with any boutique lubes. Can spend tons of time researching, obsessing over the largely irrelevant detail differences in lubes, but I prefer to spend that time wheeling!

 

[TexasJack]

I agree with Tools R Us. Use what you want but change it regularly! The "change it regularly" is the important part if you want your rig to run a long time.