Observed Difference In Sythetic Oil Mobil 1

[98ls400lover]

Hi all, figured i would put some observations out their about mobil 1 i have observed. I should preface this post that i am extremely particular about cars and here and feel things more than the average driver. I put 3k a month on my 98 ls and love the car for many reasons. I switched at 65 k to mobil 1 synthetic and was changing the oil at 4 or 5k, my motor is great and noticed better gas mileage and it was running smother than when i got the car. I did notice around 3k the oil seems with the florida heat and my driving to break down and hear a valve difference in the motor. i dont have a valve tap or a problem have a lexus mechanic that keeps my car perfect but for example at idle outside the car with a new oil heard absolute smoothness and at 3k can hear a slight tap... walmart is stocking 5w30 extended performance at a ridiculous price of 28$ for a 5qt jug and heard the extended has double amount of synflo, well being the sensitive guy i am no valve tap absolute no break down up to 6 and 7000 miles. i was paying 34$ for a six quart box of regular mobil 1 at costco its a no brainer to use this extended performance. I realize the purple and amsoil crowd will have their own spin but for 28$ for five quarts at walmmart i have been excited...

happy and safe driving to all

[curiousB]

I doubt a human can hear oil breaking down. The tapping noise of valves is due to wear of the lifters and space increasing slightly such that they make a little more noise. This is why some folks have the valve spacers changed after 90k or so miles.

Oil choices are numerous. It comes down to a personal preference. In the end the most important thing is to follow mfgs change interval as rule #1. After that whatever you like and can afford. There are a lot of 300k+ miles Lexus's out there that did just fine on plain old dino oil....

[AZ Mike]

Agree with curiousB. If you want to really know what is going on, start having a used oil analysis done at each change. Once you have a baseline, you can better evaluate what is really going with each change. The downside is UOAs cost money. If you get them done, you have empirical evidence you can point to. Without them, you have nothing more than speculation (not unlike most oil posts on this forum).

[98ls400lover]

Agree with curiousB. If you want to really know what is going on, start having a used oil analysis done at each change. Once you have a baseline, you can better evaluate what is really going with each change. The downside is UOAs cost money. If you get them done, you have empirical evidence you can point to. Without them, you have nothing more than speculation (not unlike most oil posts on this forum).

Mike and curious hope you all are doing well just for clarification purposes i have been racing cars since i am 17 now going on 41. I have motor experience but not rebuilding lexus motors, and appreciate someone like you all that knows about motors. I wanted to clarify the comment about hearing breaking down oil.. again i have a 98 ls with 120k on it. I have been using mobil 1 since 65 k.. the car runs and looks like new except for my driver seat cracking. when the mobil 1 got to around 3 or 4 thousand miles i would here the motor wether its valves or spacers or anything not loud but sounding a little like a tap. when the oil was new it would not do that, thats 1 st thought. So if that is breaking down or not breaking down, i dont have to do an analysis to find out chemical and metal compounds to realize i hear a difference. thought 2 when i would pull up to a drive thru and the concrete wall is on my left i would hear a difference between new mobil 1 and 4 k mobil 1.. the point of the post was walmart is selling 5quarts of mobil 1 extended performance for 28 which is a steal. it has double the amount of synflo in it and i think we can all agree synthetic makes a lot more sense than conventional oil. at 6 or 7 k i am not hearing the same level of engine feedback i did with the mobil 1.. just wanted to clear up i dont want to sound like a motor guru but i am one of the most discriminating picky lover of automobiles and my opinion is for the money the extended performance synthetic mobil 1 at 28 for five quarts is the best oil you can get for the money

safe driving to all

[python]

well i hate to burst ur bubble here but mobile 1 isnt even in the top 5 motor oils, valvoline and amsoil are among the best syn. oils on the market, mobil 1 is much like fram filters...they are not that good but spend a lot of money in marketing,but if u want the best filters go to napa and get a filter made by wix and oil made by amsoil,valvoline or even royal purple, the only advantage synthetic oil has is it doesnt break down like conventional oil

http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/best-motor-oil.php

[98ls400lover]

well i hate to burst ur bubble here but mobile 1 isnt even in the top 5 motor oils, valvoline and amsoil are among the best syn. oils on the market, mobil 1 is much like fram filters...they are not that good but spend a lot of money in marketing,but if u want the best filters go to napa and get a filter made by wix and oil made by amsoil,valvoline or even royal purple, the only advantage synthetic oil has is it doesnt break down like conventional oil

http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/best-motor-oil.php

[/quote

no worries they all are good synthetics, was not praising mobil 1 as being the end all,

change the oil with synthetic ever 5-7 k they are all great the point of the post is mobil 1 is the most used oil out their thought the information about the extended performance for again 28 for 5 quarts would be helpful, i appreciate all the detail on the replys but the point of the thing is totally being missed about the value of what i was trying to convey. heard great things about amsoil and purple 70,000 miles not a drop of oil burned, 0-60 in 6.0 and motor smoother than glass and 26 mpg on the highway,

all that matters

peace

[AZ Mike]

well i hate to burst ur bubble here but mobile 1 isnt even in the top 5 motor oils, valvoline and amsoil are among the best syn. oils on the market, mobil 1 is much like fram filters...they are not that good but spend a lot of money in marketing,but if u want the best filters go to napa and get a filter made by wix and oil made by amsoil,valvoline or even royal purple, the only advantage synthetic oil has is it doesnt break down like conventional oil

http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/best-motor-oil.php

I know that motor oil is like religion to some on the board......they have consummate faith in their favorites, and no others will do.

However, the reality is, they are all motor oil. Use the proper weight and classification as shown in your owners manual, and your car will be just fine.

I know people who have hundreds of thousands of miles on vehicles using plain old dino oil on regular intervals. I even have an old '94 Grand Cherokee that has never seen synthetic that has 175,000 on the clock and is running strong. Seeing as most don't keep their vehicles for that many years or for that many miles, and you can get that life and better awith conventional oil, what more is synthetic oil really giving you?

That being said, I do use synthetic oil on my Lexus and my Honda S2000. Primarily so that I can use a longer oil change interval, but also for a bit of that placebo effect thinking that the tight tolerances of the S2000 will do better with synthetic.

But, when it comes down to it, that is all you really get from synthetic oil......an oil that can last longer and offer longer oil change intervals. If you don't run a synthetic for a longer oil change interval, it is a waste of money in my opinion.

I realize I may get flamed, and that many of you will post up your links to test results, most of which come from your favorite oil's marketing department. But all those "tests" aside, answer me this: how many of you are aware of any vehicle engine that has had proper oil changes and other maintenance, and has broken down, and it can be proven that it is a particular brand of oil that has caused it? I see many posts suggesting that some oils are magic elixirs, and that others are poison for your engines. However, I am not aware of any engine that has received proper oil/filter changes and other maintenance, and has crapped out due to a particular brand of oil, whether it is WalMart house brand, Pennzoil, Mobil 1, Amsoil, Castrol, or whatever.

Just my "not married to any brand" 2 cents.......

[id1]

My 1995 LS400 has 215k miles: it had 106k when bought in 2003. Except for the last 2, all my oil changes have been 'dino'/plain. Switched recently to synthetic just to reduce the trips. Even today the engine purrs like a cat ready to pounce. But, I was always religious about change interval - to the point some of my friends joke at me.

Oil just lubricates and does nothing else.

well i hate to burst ur bubble here but mobile 1 isnt even in the top 5 motor oils, valvoline and amsoil are among the best syn. oils on the market, mobil 1 is much like fram filters...they are not that good but spend a lot of money in marketing,but if u want the best filters go to napa and get a filter made by wix and oil made by amsoil,valvoline or even royal purple, the only advantage synthetic oil has is it doesnt break down like conventional oil

http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/best-motor-oil.php

I know that motor oil is like religion to some on the board......they have consummate faith in their favorites, and no others will do.

However, the reality is, they are all motor oil. Use the proper weight and classification as shown in your owners manual, and your car will be just fine.

I know people who have hundreds of thousands of miles on vehicles using plain old dino oil on regular intervals. I even have an old '94 Grand Cherokee that has never seen synthetic that has 175,000 on the clock and is running strong. Seeing as most don't keep their vehicles for that many years or for that many miles, and you can get that life and better awith conventional oil, what more is synthetic oil really giving you?

That being said, I do use synthetic oil on my Lexus and my Honda S2000. Primarily so that I can use a longer oil change interval, but also for a bit of that placebo effect thinking that the tight tolerances of the S2000 will do better with synthetic.

But, when it comes down to it, that is all you really get from synthetic oil......an oil that can last longer and offer longer oil change intervals. If you don't run a synthetic for a longer oil change interval, it is a waste of money in my opinion.

I realize I may get flamed, and that many of you will post up your links to test results, most of which come from your favorite oil's marketing department. But all those "tests" aside, answer me this: how many of you are aware of any vehicle engine that has had proper oil changes and other maintenance, and has broken down, and it can be proven that it is a particular brand of oil that has caused it? I see many posts suggesting that some oils are magic elixirs, and that others are poison for your engines. However, I am not aware of any engine that has received proper oil/filter changes and other maintenance, and has crapped out due to a particular brand of oil, whether it is WalMart house brand, Pennzoil, Mobil 1, Amsoil, Castrol, or whatever.

Just my "not married to any brand" 2 cents.......

[piskurad]

Hi all, figured i would put some observations out their about mobil 1 i have observed. I should preface this post that i am extremely particular about cars and here and feel things more than the average driver. I put 3k a month on my 98 ls and love the car for many reasons. I switched at 65 k to mobil 1 synthetic and was changing the oil at 4 or 5k, my motor is great and noticed better gas mileage and it was running smother than when i got the car. I did notice around 3k the oil seems with the florida heat and my driving to break down and hear a valve difference in the motor. i dont have a valve tap or a problem have a lexus mechanic that keeps my car perfect but for example at idle outside the car with a new oil heard absolute smoothness and at 3k can hear a slight tap... walmart is stocking 5w30 extended performance at a ridiculous price of 28$ for a 5qt jug and heard the extended has double amount of synflo, well being the sensitive guy i am no valve tap absolute no break down up to 6 and 7000 miles. i was paying 34$ for a six quart box of regular mobil 1 at costco its a no brainer to use this extended performance. I realize the purple and amsoil crowd will have their own spin but for 28$ for five quarts at walmmart i have been excited...

happy and safe driving to all

[piskurad]

Hi all, figured i would put some observations out their about mobil 1 i have observed. I should preface this post that i am extremely particular about cars and here and feel things more than the average driver. I put 3k a month on my 98 ls and love the car for many reasons. I switched at 65 k to mobil 1 synthetic and was changing the oil at 4 or 5k, my motor is great and noticed better gas mileage and it was running smother than when i got the car. I did notice around 3k the oil seems with the florida heat and my driving to break down and hear a valve difference in the motor. i dont have a valve tap or a problem have a lexus mechanic that keeps my car perfect but for example at idle outside the car with a new oil heard absolute smoothness and at 3k can hear a slight tap... walmart is stocking 5w30 extended performance at a ridiculous price of 28$ for a 5qt jug and heard the extended has double amount of synflo, well being the sensitive guy i am no valve tap absolute no break down up to 6 and 7000 miles. i was paying 34$ for a six quart box of regular mobil 1 at costco its a no brainer to use this extended performance. I realize the purple and amsoil crowd will have their own spin but for 28$ for five quarts at walmmart i have been excited...

happy and safe driving to all

Do you an Independent Lexus Mechanic in Palm Beach County that is not our local Lexus dealer?

[98ls400lover]

Hi all, figured i would put some observations out their about mobil 1 i have observed. I should preface this post that i am extremely particular about cars and here and feel things more than the average driver. I put 3k a month on my 98 ls and love the car for many reasons. I switched at 65 k to mobil 1 synthetic and was changing the oil at 4 or 5k, my motor is great and noticed better gas mileage and it was running smother than when i got the car. I did notice around 3k the oil seems with the florida heat and my driving to break down and hear a valve difference in the motor. i dont have a valve tap or a problem have a lexus mechanic that keeps my car perfect but for example at idle outside the car with a new oil heard absolute smoothness and at 3k can hear a slight tap... walmart is stocking 5w30 extended performance at a ridiculous price of 28$ for a 5qt jug and heard the extended has double amount of synflo, well being the sensitive guy i am no valve tap absolute no break down up to 6 and 7000 miles. i was paying 34$ for a six quart box of regular mobil 1 at costco its a no brainer to use this extended performance. I realize the purple and amsoil crowd will have their own spin but for 28$ for five quarts at walmmart i have been excited...

happy and safe driving to all

Do you an Independent Lexus Mechanic in Palm Beach County that is not our local Lexus dealer?

not sure what your question was

safe driving

[98ls400lover]

My 1995 LS400 has 215k miles: it had 106k when bought in 2003. Except for the last 2, all my oil changes have been 'dino'/plain. Switched recently to synthetic just to reduce the trips. Even today the engine purrs like a cat ready to pounce. But, I was always religious about change interval - to the point some of my friends joke at me.

Oil just lubricates and does nothing else.

well i hate to burst ur bubble here but mobile 1 isnt even in the top 5 motor oils, valvoline and amsoil are among the best syn. oils on the market, mobil 1 is much like fram filters...they are not that good but spend a lot of money in marketing,but if u want the best filters go to napa and get a filter made by wix and oil made by amsoil,valvoline or even royal purple, the only advantage synthetic oil has is it doesnt break down like conventional oil

http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/best-motor-oil.php

I know that motor oil is like religion to some on the board......they have consummate faith in their favorites, and no others will do.

However, the reality is, they are all motor oil. Use the proper weight and classification as shown in your owners manual, and your car will be just fine.

I know people who have hundreds of thousands of miles on vehicles using plain old dino oil on regular intervals. I even have an old '94 Grand Cherokee that has never seen synthetic that has 175,000 on the clock and is running strong. Seeing as most don't keep their vehicles for that many years or for that many miles, and you can get that life and better awith conventional oil, what more is synthetic oil really giving you?

That being said, I do use synthetic oil on my Lexus and my Honda S2000. Primarily so that I can use a longer oil change interval, but also for a bit of that placebo effect thinking that the tight tolerances of the S2000 will do better with synthetic.

But, when it comes down to it, that is all you really get from synthetic oil......an oil that can last longer and offer longer oil change intervals. If you don't run a synthetic for a longer oil change interval, it is a waste of money in my opinion.

I realize I may get flamed, and that many of you will post up your links to test results, most of which come from your favorite oil's marketing department. But all those "tests" aside, answer me this: how many of you are aware of any vehicle engine that has had proper oil changes and other maintenance, and has broken down, and it can be proven that it is a particular brand of oil that has caused it? I see many posts suggesting that some oils are magic elixirs, and that others are poison for your engines. However, I am not aware of any engine that has received proper oil/filter changes and other maintenance, and has crapped out due to a particular brand of oil, whether it is WalMart house brand, Pennzoil, Mobil 1, Amsoil, Castrol, or whatever.

Just my "not married to any brand" 2 cents.......

great response its nice to see some great feedback on the topic.. i guess my question is regular oil changed frequently is fine, but you have to ask yourself if you can buy 6 quarts of mobil 1 for 26$ or the extended 15k synthetic for 32$ at walmart, and get it changed locally what are the benefits of 1) peace of mind) 2) proven cleaning properties of synflo for keeping the engine clean? 3) the heat in florida and having that extra protection 4) being able to go 6,7 8 000 miles with no worries of any kind. 5) smoother engine while driving and 6) probably 1mpg better gas mileage with a synthetic oil like mobil 1 or amsoil. I think its absolutely a no brainer for the cost of the synthetics the way the have come down in price to go with them besides who would want to change the oil every 3k when it can be avoided with no penalty..

safe driving to all

[Lexusfreak]

Oil just lubricates and does nothing else.

While that is it's main function...motor oil does much more that just lubricating id1.