Is Mobil 1 still the best

[Kapt. Q]

Mercedes does not make oil, I have been led to believe that their own 'brand' is not actually Mobil anymore. Having looked inside many engines my personal preference would be Shell Helix.

Cheers.

[Thrumbleux]

None of them have refineries or oil production facilities - it's all rebranding.
There's none though that have an API classification for Diesel engines higher than API-CF. CF is an early 1990s spec. There are oils that have API-CJ - four stages of spec further forward!
Does it matter? Well as a sign of an oil manufacturer's ability I'd say yes. As one of the key requirements for an oil when used in a Diesel is cleanliness - surely the higher the spec of the oil when assessed for Diesels is relevant to petrol engines also?

[fortwo long]

Yep, already gathered that!! All car manufacturers recommend the lubricants they are in contract/partnership/sponsorship with. However, no one seems to be able to state which is actually the best fully synthetic oil for protecting, lubricating our engines..

[mccsmart2002]

In answer to the original question. Mobil 1 is a very good quality oil, but can be pricy as it's over engineered for most applications.

I personally have used Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 since new, until a couple of years ago, then switched to Valvoline SynPower 5W-40. Both are fully synthetic and meet or exceed MB229.5. The only reason I switched brands was a change of supplier at work.

Bit of background info on my car. Although not a Roadster, my (non-Brabus) 2005 fortwo almost 10 years old and has covered over 133,000 miles. It's well looked after and has not had an engine rebuild or replacement and does not burn oil. I always stick to the manufacturer recommend intervals of 12 months or 10,000 miles, and do not havve a sump plug. At the last service, my sump was changed and there was not a single bit of sludge or bits floating around at the bottom.

[fortwo long]

Thank you for that information, most interesting and well worth thinking about. My 2006 ForTwo Passion only done just over 36000 miles and I do nearly 7000 miles pa.
Just trying to keep it right lol....

[Evilution]

no one seems to be able to state which is actually the best fully synthetic oil for protecting, lubricating our engines..

Because there is no best oil any more. The limits of what a standard fully synthetic oil can do has been reached and most manufacturers are at that level simply to get the correct accreditation, ACEA and API, 229.5, 229.51 and all of the other manufacturer standards. Apart from them all becoming low SAPS formulas (which is only required on the 54cdi 451), there is nothing left to do until new lubrication technology is designed.

That's not to say that there isn't **** oil because there is but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

[Thrumbleux]

Mobil 1 is a very good quality oil, but can be pricy as it's over engineered for most applications.
.

Over engineered - don't make me laugh. API CF, a 1990s spec when others achieve API CJ and you call it over engineered.

The truth of engine oils is that mineral oils are heavy on napthenics which limit their ability to resist oxidation at temperature. However, a mineral oil without napthenics (ie pure paraffinic) has no such problems but the major manufacturers don't use pure paraffinics (rare and expensive). To be rid of the napthenic issue synthetics were developed and they have the advantage over napthenic minerals that they can better withstand heat. They also have a fundemental disadvantage over all mineral oils in that they lack solubility. That makes it very difficult to fortify a synthetic with all the additives an engine oil requires. It can be done but it is challenging.
Do you really suppose Mobil who gave up on minerals because they couldn't make a decent one is the company that has cracked the solubility issue with synthetics or have any decent additives that make up the shortfall? Over engineered? Oh, because the adverts say so and they have stickers on racing cars.

[mccsmart2002]

Over engineered - don't make me laugh. API CF, a 1990s spec when others achieve API CJ and you call it over engineered.

By that I mean the general public often think it's the best because it's a big well known brand, but for the average motorist's vehicle, it doesn't need to be that good.

ACEA approval is more relevant these days, especially in Europe, rather an API.

[Thrumbleux]

By that I mean the general public often think it's the best because it's a big well known brand, but for the average motorist's vehicle, it doesn't need to be that good.

ACEA approval is more relevant these days, especially in Europe, rather an API.

You said it - not the general public.

[tolsen]

ASDA sells a 5w-40 oil that is stated to meet and exceed 229.51. Only £20 for 5 litres.

[lalli_d1]

By that I mean the general public often think it's the best because it's a big well known brand,

so why not try castrol? it to is a well known brand.

oil is oil (wrong comment, i know), it lubricates the engine. all oils do the same regardless of brand.

[Thrumbleux]

oil is oil (wrong comment, i know), it lubricates the engine. all oils do the same regardless of brand.

Very wrong. So why make the comment? And all tyres are the same?
Read my post as to the differences in oils Lalli and quit perpetuating nonsense based on ignorance of the subject.

[fortwo long]

Right, ERM OK lol... Thank you all very much guys for your input, my full service tomorrow so plenty of time to decide!!!

[tolsen]

You need to get a god oil filter too. Check out mine. Bosch and Mann oil filters bought for £1.53 each:

[Thrumbleux]

Right, ERM OK lol... Thank you all very much guys for your input, my full service tomorrow so plenty of time to decide!!!

It won't really matter given that the oils available to you are much of a muchness. By what I've seen in the way of test data, I would veer toward Castrol, Valvoline, or Shell - giving Mobil a big swerve. Mobil is hype over substance.

[lalli_d1]

Very wrong. So why make the comment? And all tyres are the same?
Read my post as to the differences in oils Lalli and quit perpetuating nonsense based on ignorance of the subject.

i have worked in the motor trade for 10 years and we have always said at work when we top up engines that some oil is better than no oil. we have used 'low SAPS' oil in petrol cars and 'normal' oil in diesel cars with DPF's.

do you service your own car(s) or take it to a specialist/dealer? how do you know that the oil they use is the correct one?

and another scenario. you stop to check your oil. you find its low and the top up you carry is either empty or not enough to bring the level to max. you go to the motor factors and they have the correct oil but it doesn't meet the specifications. what do you do? drive it with low oil, or buy the oil and top it up and drive on?