Synthetic question

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

mikesean76

mikesean76

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Threads
44
Messages
259
Location
Central Florida
I did a lot of digging through posts and the FAQ thread before I made my choice. I changed my LX (154k) oil with synthetic Mobile 1 0W-40. In our area, what experience has anyone had with this type of synthetic? Not looking for opinions, just personal experience.

Probably should have socialized this prior to the $50 spent today. Thanks!
 
I don't think that there will be a problem with that blend. I wouldn't think you would need to go as low as a 0-40 though. More people run 15-40 sythetics.
 
After seeing the results of Amsoils and drain intervals in the diesel pickup I am leaning towards that now, I was impressed after seeing the diesel oil after 16,800 miles...yes 16,800 miles. For the money and wear cycles I think it's well worth the money.....though I have been running rotella-T 5w-30 and also been impresed with that in the 80.
 
I had been using Mobil 10w30 syn for the past 50k miles but recently switched to Mobil 0w40. Mainly b/c each one of my Blackstone oil reports (I send in a sample every other oil change) for the 10w30 came back with less than spec viscosity levels after 5k miles change intervals.

I had a small oil leak from the front of the engine that would drip on the axle housing but never on the floor. So far since changing to the 0w40, the leak has gone away. I've also had what seems like less consumption with the 0w40. I'll be changing my oil in the next few weeks and plan to send off another sample to Blackstone to see differences in wear. I expect the numbers to be better than with the 10w30.
 
Michael Hanson said:
We use Mobil 1 10-30 in all our cruisers .Never a problem in Dallas heat. Mike
Click to expand...

Since receiving my less than desirable reports I did some searching here on MUD and found some posts (mostly by Cary the oil guy) that talked about how the regular Mobil 10w30 had a lower viscosity then desired but recommended the Truck/SUV Mobil 10w30 brand citing it's higher viscosity as a plus.
 
S4Cruiser said:
I had been using Mobil 10w30 syn for the past 50k miles but recently switched to Mobil 0w40. Mainly b/c each one of my Blackstone oil reports (I send in a sample every other oil change) for the 10w30 came back with less than spec viscosity levels after 5k miles change intervals.

I had a small oil leak from the front of the engine that would drip on the axle housing but never on the floor. So far since changing to the 0w40, the leak has gone away. I've also had what seems like less consumption with the 0w40. I'll be changing my oil in the next few weeks and plan to send off another sample to Blackstone to see differences in wear. I expect the numbers to be better than with the 10w30.
Click to expand...


Are you changing oil every 5k or until your viscosity levels fall within normal range?
I was hoping to get 6-7k between oil changes. At least that's what I told the :princess: after she saw how much I paid for the oil. I told her it would be the same b/c I usually change every 3k.
 
I have been running Mobil 1 oils in my trucks since 1990. This was WAY before i even knew what it really was, and was going to change to synthetic years later when i read the container and found the reason it was so expensive. I have never had any issues whatsoever but then again i still change my oil every 3000 miles and will continue to do so. We have been running it in the wifes truck now for 50,000 miles and i will be pulling a valve cover soon to look under it to see how clean it still is.

This is just my experience / .02 cents but will be staying with them for awhile longer.

I would probably go with a little higher of a blend though. We run the 5 / 30 in the wifes.
 
I have been running Mobil1 5w-30, 10w-30, and now 0w-30 in my 80 for the last two years. I've been changing it at 5k and my Blackstone reports have been fine. My truck has been consuming about a quart between changes, otherwise I'd consider running it a bit longer. Maybe I should try the 0w-40.

I am also using Mobil1 0w-30 in the 100 (2 changes) and the Blackstone reports are also fine.

The Mobil1 0w-30, 5w-30, and 10w-30 are cheaper if you buy them in 5qt jugs at Wal-Mart versus Autozone, Advance Auto, etc. I haven't seen the 0w-40 in jugs.

I would recommend that you invest in a couple of oil analysis reports to check the condition of your engine and see how the oil is holding up, especially if you want to run longer change intervals. I would stick with the Mobil1 and change intervals above 3k for several reasons: 1) better for the environment (less waste oil), 2) 3k interval not recommended by Toyota, 3) better use of my time (less oil changes).
 
mikesean76 said:
Are you changing oil every 5k or until your viscosity levels fall within normal range?
Click to expand...

Every 5k miles, mainly bc I'm overly anal about the truck. Most of the time it's less than 5k miles but more like every 6 months since the truck doesn't see daily driving duties and only errrands around town/longer trips.
 
It is interesting that this thread just came up as I am need of my first oil change. I picked up 2-5 quart jugs of Mobile 1 5w-30 Truck and SUV oil at Walmart. It was not my first choice due to what was on hand.

Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-30


Will this suffice?

Robert
 
I just made the switch to Amsoil - running 0-30...supposedly I can go 35K between changes.

I paid a bit extra to get near cost pricing - basically 20% off what you see listed on the internet. If anyone in the triangle is interested in picking up some product I'll get with my discount but charge a 6 pack a beer.

Been running great so far!
 
I read the FAQ section before deciding on what oil. Why I choose the 0w-40 and didn't go with a Xw-30 (some excerpts from the thread):

Mobil 0w-40 appears to be the best choice for worldwide use. My only potential concern (and this is the footnote to a footnote) is that it takes more viscosity modifiers to make a 0w-40 synthetic oil than a 5w-40 or 10w-30. It is the viscosity modifiers that break down over time and can leave sludge. Given that the 0w-40 is a high quality base stock, and this oil is used by Austin Martin, Mercedes AMG, Porsche, and others as their factory fill oils, I don't think this is a real world issue. . (Note that Raventai and cary differ slightly here as I do not believe that the 0w-40 Synthetic oils made today have any risk of sludge problems.)
I have been shying away from the Mobil Xw-30 oils because they are formulated on the light side of 30 weight, almost being 20 weight. If you are looking for a Xw-30 weight, look at Redline, Amsoil (I never thought I would recommend Amsoil), or others. I truly believe for any climate that a Xw-50 oil is overkill for the Landcruiser.
Bottom line is that you want to run the thinnest oil that provides protection. Reason is that as you get to heavy, wear rates increase again. Also heavy oils increase oil temperatures and do not transfer heat as rapidly. On average the sweet spot for low wear rates on oils appears to be at the high 30weight low 40 weight range (i.e. Mobil 0w-40, German Castrol 0w-30, Amsoil 30 weights, Redline 30 weights). Also note that some of the newer cars (specifically Hondas and the Big Ford V-10 engines) that specify 5w-20 oil from the factory are turning in incredibly low wear numbers on those oils.

Here's the full write up for quick ref

From what I read it soundn't like Mobile 1 0w-40 was the recomended synthetic oil. Then again I had to read the thread a couple of times to try and grasp it all. Based on the write up I was concerned about consumption and wondered what everyone else using for a synthetic and what the results were.
 
Last edited:
ncduckman said:
It is interesting that this thread just came up as I am need of my first oil change. I picked up 2-5 quart jugs of Mobile 1 5w-30 Truck and SUV oil at Walmart. It was not my first choice due to what was on hand.

Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-30


Will this suffice?

Robert
Click to expand...

I think it will be fine. I have not used their Truck and SUV oil, but have had good luck with the other Xw-30 oils. I sorta question if the Truck and SUV formula is really any different than the regular 5w-30 (I have read the FAQ...), but I can't see that it would hurt anything either. FWIW, I would use a Toyota filter, and not Fram, STP, etc.
 
southerncruiser62 said:
Jared have you noticed on increase in mileage?
Click to expand...

I haven't done any calculations on mileage - thought I've already put about 500 miles on my truck in the past week...

My truck does seem to start a bit smoother and easier...though might be a placebo effect - you drop that much money and you want something to be better! I'll let you know about mileage sometime next week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom