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Mobil 0W-20 flavors

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by sunnquake, Jun 13, 2010.

  1. sunnquake

    sunnquake New Member

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    Hi All:

    My first post here. Starting to get ready for my first 5k oil change.
    I see 2 packages of Mobil 1 0W-20.

    The green bottle that I have seen in stores / Walmart. The package states "Advanced Fuel Economy". The other package is a plain silver bottle that I found in Amazon. Package states "For newer vehicles including hybrids".

    I haven't bought them yet - so I cannot read the whole labeling.
    Is there any difference between the two?

    thanks
    sunnquake
     

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  2. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    It's mostly a difference in appearance. The "classic" 0W-20 sold about 4 years ago was formulated differently, it was actually thinner
     
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  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    This is from the Mobile One Website Q and A.

    Haven't you been offering Mobil 1 0W-20 and Mobil 1 0W-30 already? What's different about Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy?[​IMG]They are the same formulations as the products marketed prior to 2008. As the importance of fuel economy has increased, we felt it was important to communicate to consumers which products in the Mobil 1 family offer the greatest potential for improved fuel economy. Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oils are engineered to deliver outstanding engine protection while improving fuel economy.


    If I'm reading this correctly seems like there is no difference. However I noticed Mobile is offering a fully synthetic "Extended Life" Oil that is different.

    You are suppose to be able to go up to 15000 miles between Oil Changes if you use it. However, I have heard some disturbing things concerning Automakers not recommending useage because it doesn't meet some fuel conservation standards. This results in some fears about potential warranty issues on a new car.

    But I think Mobil 1 synthetic...is Mobil one synthetic even if one label is now marketed green and making more obvious proclamations of potential fuel economy.
     
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  4. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    I love the internet. :eek:

    So, you've:
    "heard some disturbing things concerning Automakers not recommending useage because it doesn't meet some fuel conservation standards."

    Which leads to the conclusion that:
    "This results in some fears about potential warranty issues on a new car."

    I got lost in the logical chasm between those 2 statements. Fuel conservation standards, and potential warranty issues. :confused:

    For the record, here's what the owner's manual says:
    Engine oil selection
    “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil†is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use
    Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil†or equivalent to satisfy
    the following grade and viscosity.

    Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
    Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20

    As long as the oil meets those standards, a manufacturer can't deny a warranty claim, based on...wait for it...somebody on the internet saying "it doesn't meet some fuel conservation standards."
     
  5. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    Over the past two years, virtually every product from every corporation suddenly needed to become "green". This is how Mobil handled making there oil "green". No different than how 99% of all other products jumped on the green bandwagon.
     
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  6. sunnquake

    sunnquake New Member

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    Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like it really doesn't matter which one I get.
     
  7. DanMode

    DanMode Brooklyn Prius Guy

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    Now, for me...the question is whether to go with Mobil 1 for the next oil change, or ENEOS! ;)
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GI28FE/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
     
  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I just happened to be researching Synthetic Oil a few weeks back as my new cars first oil change is approaching.

    I was trying in earnest to answer the OP's question. Which was: Is there a difference between the two Mobile One Synthetics...From Mobil's own website I would say No...

    I only even mentioned Mobil One Synthetic "extended life" because there IS a difference between regular Mobil One Synthetic and Mobil One Synthetic "Extended Life". It's designed to be used longer and has more additives.

    " I got lost in the logical chasm between those 2 statements. Fuel conservation standards, and potential warranty issues. "

    Well I'm sorry you got lost in a logical chasm...but I'm not making this up. About 5 years ago..when Mobil first introduced Mobil One Extended Life as an Oil it did not meet the "Energy Conserving" Oil standards of some manufacturers. Mobil themselves was recommending that if you owned a new car under warranty you NOT use the extended life because until the oil could get the energy conserving seal...there could be warranty issues. Mobil themselves was recommending new car owners just continue to use the "standard" Mobil One synthetic.

    That's a chasm?

    Again, from further research at Mobils own website it seems the extended life NOW has the Energy Conserving seal. So I don't think it's an issue today.

    In anycase, Mobil One is expensive but I think it's the best engine protection in the form of synthetic oil that you can buy. It's always up to individual's what they want to run in their vehicles, but all things equal despite the expense I think Mobil One is a good choice.

    But yes...I know if an oil meets a manufacturers standards..then it can't void the warranty....
     
  9. silentak1

    silentak1 Since 2005

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    No difference between green and plain label. There is a difference between green/plain vs. extended life though. I think Extended Life is true 100% synthetic, where the others are not quite 100% but not quite a pure crappy blend (like 30%). If you search hard on the internet, you'll find studies by oil geeks. For the average person, any of those is fine.

    If you really want to upgrade to better synthetic, try Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, ENEOS or even Castrol Synthetic (par).
     
  10. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    One unexpected 0W-20 note is that both the best Amsoil and Redline oils are only rated A1/B1. The 0W-30 used on the Gen I and II can be obtained rated to A5/B5. I wonder what the limitation is?
     
  11. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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  12. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Amazon says the Eneos oil is "currently unavailable".

    I have enough Mobil1 0W20 to do my next oil change and I'll have a sample analyzed. If I can get the Japanese oil after that I'll try it and have it analyzed also. But that will be a year or so down the road.

    I think there is a possibility that the Toyota 0W20 is the Eneos 0W20? or is at least made by Nippon Oil, the same company that makes Eneos. Here is their web site http://www.eneos.us/customer-service
     
  13. rumpledoll

    rumpledoll Member

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    A 0W-20 oil can only be a A1 at best due to ACEA specifications on HTHS. Grade A1 through A5 has a minimum HTHS set to 2.9, except the A1 grade which allows *only* 0W-20 oils to drop down to 2.6 minimum. Since no 0W-20 has a 2.9, they are at best rated A1/B1.

    See here, page 7.

    Rumple

     
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  14. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Last oil change, 7000 miles ago I could not locate 0w20 mobil one. So we used 4 quarts of Valvoline 0 w 20 synthetic.

    so far so good. I used moibl 0 w 20 the last two oil changes. I notice no difference in mpg with the valvoline. seem to be good oil; not much
    written about it though.

    I only put in 4 quarts so not to over fill.

    alfon
     
  15. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Search no more. Use Toyota 0W-20 synthetic.
    Cheap- about USD6 per bottle.
    No worry about voiding warranty.
    It may not be the "Perfect Oil" to those some but I'm sure if it meets the Toyota requirements.

    I spent over a month researching in this forum and I have reached my conclusion above. Unless someone tells me of any disadvantage using the Toyota original, otherwise, I will stick to my findings.